Multiculturalism: Are pre-service ELT teachers ready for it?

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate pre-service ELT teacher’s awareness of and attitudes towards multicultural teaching and learning. Material and methods This qualitative study employs survey method and the data was collected through the shortened version of “Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes about and Awareness of Multicultural Teaching and Learning Scale” which includes 18 items in three sub- dimensions, namely awareness of multicultural issues, the effect of professional courses on dealing with multicultural approaches to education and interest in additional training in multicultural approaches to education. Results The participants as pre-service ELT teachers are commonly aware of multicultural issues in schools. Conclusions It can be seen that the student-teachers escape facing cultural diversity despite training provided by the university. However, the results show that the participants are eager to receive further training in multicultural education. This can be related to the gap between theory and practice in which students may not be taught what is required in the field.

Keywords

• multiculturalism
• Diversity in Education
• pre-service
• ELT
• teacher