The objectives of this qualitative multiple case study are as follows: (a) identify the professional beliefs or representations of two student teachers before, during and after their last practicum in FSL (French as a second language) or in French immersion at a High School; and (b) study the evolution of these beliefs or representations during the student teaching period. / The investigation was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews: of two student teachers; of two associate teachers; of one university supervisor; and of the student teaching coordinator. Other data, taken from the portfolio of the two student teachers, were also analysed. The classroom actions of the two student teachers were observed on a daily basis (three teaching periods during seven weeks), alternating between the two student teachers. The data yielded by this observation were also examined. / The following conclusions were drawn: (a) the student teachers constructed a number of professional beliefs which were then reflected in their classroom practice; (b) social interactions with individuals and groups, personal experiences, former high school experiences, the training program and early field experiences were the basis of these student teachers' professional beliefs or representations; (c) some of the student teachers' beliefs or representations evolved as a result of their awareness of problems which were resolved through discussions and reflexive practice; (d) analysis revealed an inconsistency between certain beliefs or representations and their actualization. These findings were particularly significant in FSL and immersion classes where the two student teachers were in favour of a lot of interaction in view of promoting communicative competence. Yet, observation revealed a rather traditional teacher-centered approach oblivious of the learning process. The results of the research suggest that the evolution of the student teachers' beliefs or representations was impeded due to the lack of a more concerted, coordinated, rigorous support-oriented training program involving both the university and the associate school. / This study suggests a shared individual and collective responsibility of schools, universities and governments for improving the student teaching structure in view of more cohesiveness between all partners involved; a better articulation between theory and practice in the teacher training program; and efficient development of supervised reflexive practice.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.84991 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Delsemme, Martine |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | French |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Doctor of Philosophy (Department of Second Language Education.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002177391, proquestno: AAINR06290, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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