ERIC Number: EJ838899
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0015-718X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Reflective Practices in Foreign Language Teacher Education: A View through Micro and Macro Windows
Geyer, Naomi
Foreign Language Annals, v41 n4 p627-638 Win 2008
As professional development models of teacher education that allow for self-directed, collaborative, inquiry-based learning are increasingly replacing more traditional top-down models, researchers acknowledge the impact of teachers' reflective practices. Although many different types of reflective practices are reported, the differences across such practices have rarely been discussed. This study focuses on a form of reflective practice--classroom observation--and compares graduate teaching assistants' observation of their own classroom performance through two distinct "windows"--an entire class and a targeted teacher-fronted activity--within the framework of a foreign language (Japanese) teacher education course. Both types of observation have their distinct advantages and reveal different aspects of the teaching process, as is clearly evidenced in the teaching assistants' reports. The study presents a strong rationale for incorporating both whole-class (macro) and targeted (micro) observations into teacher education programs. (Contains 4 notes and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Teacher Education, Teacher Education Programs, Second Languages, Inquiry, Active Learning, Reflective Teaching, Teaching Assistants, Language Teachers, Professional Development, Classroom Observation Techniques, Japanese, Action Research, English (Second Language), Graduate Students, Graduate Study
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 700 South Washington Street Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-894-2900; Fax: 703-894-2905; e-mail: headquarters@actfl.org; Web site: http://www.actfl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A