ADDRESSING THE KEY ELEMENTS THAT SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE OF FINAL YEAR PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

Abstract

This paper explores final year pre-service teachers’ perceptions on the key elements
critical to support successful final year in-school clinical experience. The paper also
focuses on how teacher education program helps prospective teachers move from being
a student to a professional able to take responsibility for others. The paper is an outcome
of a survey targeted to 104 TESL student teachers who had undergone 14 week guided
clinical experience in various schools in Malaysia. Additional qualitative data were
gathered via a focus group interview. The key elements identified by student teachers for
successful school placement are effective communication especially in building positive
personal and professional relationships with mentor teachers and supervisors. Concerns
were also raised about the need to fulfill the needs of diverse groups of learners. Pre
–service teachers also highlight the need to gain information related to their decision in
teaching.
Keyword: Pre-service clinical experience, teacher training, effective communication