Volume 1, Issue 1 (June 2022)
JCALS 2022, 1(1): 50-66 |
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Shannon M. Hilliker (Corresponding Author), ENL Teacher, Finn Academy, Elmira, NY, USA. Email: shannon.m.hilliker@gmail.com
Erika Drake, Independent Scholar, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Email: ecadrake@gmail.com
Erika Drake, Independent Scholar, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Email: ecadrake@gmail.com
Abstract: (826 Views)
This study aims to explore United States-based English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher candidates' self-assessed success of teaching grammar and cultural competency, focusing specifically on Turkish culture. This study will examine these themes through data collected during a six-week virtual cultural exchange with undergraduate Turkish students currently enrolled in Istanbul Technical Institute. The participants, twelve graduate teaching candidates studying at Binghamton University, were sorted into twelve individual groups and paired with one or two Turkish students. All participants remained with the same international group members through the six-week virtual cultural exchange. Each week participants were instructed to complete a pre and post-exchange survey, which covered topics relevant to grammar teaching and cultural competency. While most surveys were qualitative, there were quantitative elements included. The pre- and post-survey responses were collected and quantified, resulting in a summary of the teacher candidates' week one beliefs of their successes in cultural competency and teaching grammar in comparison to their success throughout the exchange's duration and week 6. The results demonstrated that while the virtual cultural exchange allowed some participants more confidence in teaching grammar and a more comprehensive understanding of cultural competency and therefore learning, some participants experienced an opposite result; throughout the duration of the exchange, a number of participants became less confident and therefore indicated less success in their teaching of grammar and cultural competency. Positively, the study results indicated the importance of teacher education in the use of visual aids and asking intentional questions to increase cultural competency.
Article number: 4
Keywords: Cultural competency, Cultural exchange, Linguistic understanding, Self-assessment, Global awareness, Virtual exchange
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2022/04/6 | Accepted: 2022/05/10 | Published: 2022/06/20
Received: 2022/04/6 | Accepted: 2022/05/10 | Published: 2022/06/20
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