International Conference New Horizons in Education, Lisbon, Portekiz, 12 - 14 Mayıs 2011, ss.585-590
Teachers affect their students‟ lives, worldviews and the way they learn to a great extent and
play a very significant role in their academic lives. They also have a fundamental responsibility
in transmitting a society‟s culture and values to younger generations. Considering the role of the
teachers in shaping students‟ lives and their contribution to societies, it is critical that we develop
an understanding of the reasons affecting individuals‟ decisions to become a teacher. The aim of
the present study is to profile and compare the background characteristics and teaching
motivations of Turkish prospective teachers (PTs) of English enrolled in a four-year teacher
education program of a state university in Turkey and in a one-year certificate program of the
same university. Data came from “FIT-Choice” (Factors Influencing Teaching Choice) Scale
adopted from Watt & Richardson (2007).