ELT prospective teachers’ beliefs about target language use in EFL classrooms

Abstract

This sequential explanatory mixed methods design study aimed to investigate the beliefs of English Language Teaching (ELT) prospective teachers about using the target language (L2) at macro and micro-levels in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms in addition to some scaffolding strategies to minimize their native language (L1) use. Furthermore, whether being experienced in language teaching and being abroad made differences in the beliefs of prospective teachers (PTs) were examined. The study was conducted with 128 ELT PTs enrolled in a state university in Turkey by administering a questionnaire as a quantitative instrument and a semi-structured interview as a qualitative instrument. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that the PTs were in favour of using students’ native language whenever it is required rather than following English-only policy. Accordingly, they agreed on the use of L2 mostly to give feedback, information and instructions besides greeting students and later to encourage students, check their understanding, and to provide them supportive talk. They became hesitant to use L2 to manage classrooms, crack jokes, and to give instructions of new and complex types of activities. The dependent variables in the study indicated few differences in their beliefs as to using L2 in EFL classrooms. The results were discussed and some implications for ELT teacher education were suggested.