Challenges Experienced by Kurdish EFL Student-teachers during their Teaching Practicum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32410/huj-10341Keywords:
Teaching practicum, student-teachers, challenges, Kurdish EFL LearnersAbstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the challenges EFL student-teachers experienced during their six-week teaching practicum. The participants were 20 student-teachers from the University of Halabja/ English Language Department who have participated in the teaching practicum in 2018-2019 academic year. Qualitative data collected from two focused group interviews (10 participants each) concerning the challenges student-teachers have experienced while practicing teaching in the basic schools. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The themes were identified using generic inductive analysis. The collected data were transcribed, coded and then analyzed. The results revealed that student-teachers faced various challenges during their teaching practice such as lack of technology in the schools, dealing with students with special needs, classroom management, use of L1 in the classroom, large classes and dealing with students’ difficult questions. Based on the results of the study, some recommendations will be made.
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