WHAT MAKES A GOOD TEACHER IN THE ERA OF 21st CENTURY SKILLS: PERCEPTIONS OF PRE-SERVICE ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Başkan N. S., Başkan P.

3rd INTERNATIONAL EGE CONGRESS ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH December 20-22, 2024 / İzmir, Türkiye 185, İzmir, Türkiye, 20 - 22 Aralık 2024, cilt.2, ss.185-192, (Tam Metin Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Cilt numarası: 2
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İzmir
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.185-192
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The question of what constitutes a good teacher has been a topic of debate in teacher education. In the 21st century, effective teachers must possess a range of skills beyond traditional pedagogical expertise, including digital literacy and adaptability. These skills enable teachers to respond to the evolving needs of the modern classroom. Exploring the perceptions of preservice teachers (PTs) is crucial for the development of effective teacher education programs to equip them with 21st century skills. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to find out the PTs’ perceptions on what makes a teacher a good teacher. More specifically, the study aimed at exploring to what extent the PTs’ perceptions overlap with 21st century teaching skills. The study took place in the Department of English Language Teaching of a highly competitive state university in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 120 PTs of English as a foreign language (EFL) voluntarily participated in the present study. Data collection instrument was an open-ended survey question which asked the PTs their perceptions on the features of a good teacher. Data gathered from the survey were then analyzed by using MAXQDA data analysis software. The results of the study will be discussed in the light of the perceptions of PTs on what makes a teacher a good teacher and the 21st century teacher skills. The current study has demonstrated what PTs think on how to be a good teacher and whether the PTs’ perceptions overlap with 21st century teaching skills. In conclusion, exploring the perceptions of EFL PTs is crucial for the development of effective teacher education programs that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century classroom.

Keywords: English as a Foreign Language; Pre-service Teachers; Teacher Education; 21st Century Skills; Teachers’ Perceptions