Revisiting Microteaching in Search of Up-to-Date Solutions to Old Problems

Abstract

In second language teacher education programs microteaching has always been a significant technique to help bridge theory to practice and prepare the trainees for real classroom contexts. The expected benefits from 10 to 15 minute-microteaching sessions are the communication among the trainees and supervisor, collaboration with each other, and reflection on the teaching. However, due to some constraints such as limited time and big class size, these benefits may not be derived easily. Therefore, this study aims to explore how the effect of a designed Internet-based instructional learning environment (hereafter iBILE) was perceived by the participating preservice teachers on developing their communication, collaboration and reflection in microteaching process. In so doing, 52 Kurdish preservice English language teachers were asked to use the iBILE for 6 weeks. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from questionnaires, the system analytics, reflection journals, and semi-structured interviews. The results of the data analysis revealed that the designed iBILE has been perceived highly effective in solving the defined microteaching problems by creating unique opportunities for communication, collaboration, and reflection in microteaching process among the preservice teachers.