Use of a Simulated Teacher Learning Environment for Educating Future Science Teachers to Teach Bilingual Students

• In Event: Simulations and Adaptive Feedback in Teacher Education

Abstract

This presentation shares our project on using simulated teacher learning environments in primary science teacher education to provide the preservice teachers (PSTs) the opportunity to engage Bilingual Learners in classroom discussions. The project aimed to explore the extent to which a simulated environment is useful and practical for science teacher educators to adopt when teaching PSTs how to lead scientific classroom discussions with bilinguals. All seven participants reported the simulated teacher learning environment to be conducive to learning how to teach bilinguals. They specifically noted that it should be a deliberate part of the pre-service science teacher supervision and field experiences. They otherwise do not always get the opportunity to practice their discussion skills in their school placements.

Author

• Sultan Turkan, Queen's University - Belfast