Through Preservice English Teachers’ Eyes: Impressions on Attending an International E-Conference

Abstract

The international online conference of Self-Directed Learning and Advising in Language Education brought together researchers and teachers from around the world, and several preservice English teachers were among the participants in this international event. This paper aims to present preservice English teacher participants’ impressions on attending an international academic conference, their reflections on the organization, the presentations, and their theoretical and practical gains. Preservice English teachers’ reflections revealed that they benefitted from attending this international e-conference in terms of their academic and professional development as teachers. The sessions they attended also triggered changes in their perspectives regarding self-directed learning, learner autonomy, and advising in language learning. As first-time participants in such an academic event, they indicated their interest to attend similar conferences in the future.

Keywords

• self-directed learning
• learner autonomy
• learning advising
• preservice english teachers