Exploring Foreign Language Pre-service teacher Beliefs: An International Exchange Experience

Authors

  • Laura Levi Altstaedter Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, East Carolina University
  • Marina Falasca Universidad Tecnológica Nacional I.E.S. en Lenguas Vivas “Juan Ramón Fernández"

Keywords:

International Consortium, Educational Abroad, Korea

Abstract

This article explores the beliefs of two groups of students who teach and learn foreign languages at two major universities in Argentina and the USA. Specifically, it discusses how their prior beliefs and experiences shaped their teaching selves, and assesses the extent to which an international exchange experience about perceptions of foreign language teaching impacted their current beliefs. It is our contention that beliefs are "deeply personal and rooted in the culture and norms held by individuals and society" (Tatto & Coupland, 2003). However, this study has shown that pre-service teacher beliefs were fairly similar across languages and cultures. The article concludes with a set of practical implications for teacher education programs.

Author Biographies

Laura Levi Altstaedter, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, East Carolina University

(Ph.D., M.A., Virginia Tech; MA.Ed., Wake Forest University) Currently, she is Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies,  Coordinator of the Foreign Language Teacher Education Program, and Coordinator of the Certificate in Translation at East Carolina University. She has published articles on foreign language pedagogy in Argentina and the U.S.

Marina Falasca, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional I.E.S. en Lenguas Vivas “Juan Ramón Fernández"

(M.A., Virginia Tech; M.Ed., South Dakota State University) Currently, she is instructor of TEFL Methods and related courses at Universidad Tecnologica Nacional and I.E.S. en Lenguas Vivas “Juan Ramón Fernández". She has published articles on foreign language pedagogy in Argentina, Australia, and the U.S.

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Published

2015-06-26

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Volume 4

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