Experiential Learning in Preparing EFL Teachers

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: The Power of Possibility Through Experiential Learning in Teacher Prep

Abstract

More and more international students joined in the teacher training programs in the US. Many have a hard time becoming enculturated in their chosen disciplines because of a lack of knowledge and experience of American educational system and familiarity of disciplinary conventions.

This study explored the experiences of two international pre-service TESOL teachers engaged in field-related experiential learning. Drawing on the theories of experiential learning (Kolb, 1984) and communities of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991), the study investigated whether experiential learning facilitates participants’ acquisition of academic literacy. The results indicated that the experiential learning allowed the participants to meet academic writing expectations, understand difficult concepts, utilize and assess learning in real life situations and produce more acceptable disciplinary writing.

Author

• Rui Cheng, Nazareth College