This study uses frame of boundary work to explore university teacher educators' discourses of the early childhood teacher education practicum and to identify the complexities of their positions(s) in these discourses. Data were obtained through focus group interviews with university teacher educators (N = 16) from two Finnish universities and…

This case study examines joint reflection in the context of peer group mentoring during the teaching practicum, involving three pre-service teachers and a mentor engaging in discussions supported by the video recorded lessons taught by the pre-service teachers. The approach to joint reflection was non-prescriptive and pre-service…

During their practical training, feedback for preservice teachers should address the demands of diverse classrooms. Using the critical incident technique within a participatory research framework, this study investigated whether and how mentors adjust their feedback in this regard. Based on a sample of 33 preservice teachers and 46 mentor teachers…

Teachers' varied goal orientations meaningfully explain differences in their behaviour and cognition. Achievement goal orientation theory (GOT) provides a valuable theoretical framework for understanding teacher motivation. However, GOT has not yet been applied in the context of mentoring student teachers during the practicum. This study explores…

The study aims to explore and analyse the perceived experiences of Slovenian pre-service teachers with their mentors during their teaching practicum, by using the "Mentoring for effective teaching practice instrument (METPI)." Conclusions were based on 105 responses using paper and pencil, collected from Slovenian pre-service teachers in…

To alleviate teacher shortages, many countries are investing in professionals fromother fields to become teachers. As second career (preservice) teachers (SCT)are thought to bring additional resources into the teaching profession, it is important to gain insights into whether and how these resources are impacting their learning experiences and…

This article explores the construction of teachers' professional identity through analysis of subjective learning experiences. In order to report on the progress of our work, we present a discourse analysis of three experiences considered to be of particular relevance by a final-year pedagogy student. The analysis yielded four important…

This paper uses a qualitative approach and analysis inspired by Grounded Theory to address the conditions for generative reflection based on the social representations of tutors and students in initial teacher training. The findings reveal high regard for reflection among both sets of actors. There is also evidence of the predominantly guiding…

The goal of this study was to describe the experiences of fourth year Early Childhood Education (ECE) student teachers during their school practicum at the time of COVID-19 in Cyprus. Specifically, a group of 28 preschool student teachers was followed over the period of 13 weeks during their final practicum course. Through journaling they…

Team teaching as a form of collaborative teaching practice is increasingly employed in teacher education. Positive and trusting relationships with the team partner and the mentor teacher are at the core of such internships and form the basis for optimal learning experiences and successful cooperation in the practicum. However, trust has been…

The present study investigated how student teachers and mentor teachers in a one-school-year teacher practicum in Germany interacted in an 'egalitarian' way despite their experience-based gap in expertise, status and power. Our study is embedded in a participatory research context to involve the agents of change. The sample consisted of 57 student…

This article explores how teacher education students perceive high-quality practicum. Data were collected through group interviews with students while in practicum at partnership schools and analysed thematically within the context of qualification, socialisation, and subjectification as goals of education. The findings show that students perceive…

This empirical study aims to understand the assessment pedagogies used to support pre-service teachers' assessment development in the post-pandemic. The study involved sixty 4th year English language pre-service teachers, and data were collected from interviews, practicum observation notes, field visit notes, and reflection papers. The study aimed…

Studies in this area are diverse regarding their scale, methodology and context. The purpose of this paper is to report findings from a systematic review of research into the practicum in English Language Teaching (ELT). In order to identify the main issues of concern and to provide a contemporary picture of practicum, 48 studies published in…

In recent years, increased attention has been focused on the mentoring of teacher candidates throughout Turkey. In particular, the requirement for school principals and mentor teachers to attend mentor education programmes as specified in the Teacher Strategy Document (TSD) set forth by Ministry of National Education (MoNE). Therefore, the aim of…