Non-native English speaking pre-service teachers in an EFL context: examining experiences through borderland discourse

ABSTRACT

This study examined borderland discourse emergent from the practicum experiences of non-native English speaking pre-service teachers (PSTs) in a Thai primary school. Borderland discourse is defined as a space where personal and professional constructs intersect, which is often in a state of dissonance. Over a ten-week practicum period, the PSTs narrated their experiences through a dialogic reflective journal with their teacher-educator. A main issue was the dissonance between PSTs’ expectations with the reality of their teaching context. Some of which were the Thai students’ inability to communicate in English and the use of a syllabus that did not reflect the students’ language abilities. This led to a renegotiation of PSTs’ pedagogical approaches. This study also highlighted potential challenges that non-native English speaking PSTs may face if teaching in a context that is linguistically or culturally different from theirs, as well as a brief account of English language education in Thailand.

KEYWORDS:

• English as a foreign language
• pre-service teaching
• practicum
• borderland discourse

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Research, Ranking and Development Committee of Asia-Pacific International University for approving and providing financial support for this study (RRDC 2015-160). We would also like to thank Wat Baan Mark school for graciously allowing the pre-service teachers to work with your students.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Asia-Pacific International University [RRDC 2015-160].

Notes on contributors

Daron Benjamin Loo

Daron Benjamin Loo is currently an instructor at the Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore. Previously, he was a TESOL instructor at Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand. His research interests include discourse analysis of teacher and learner identity, and English language education in EFL contexts.

Ritha Maidom

Ritha Maidom is the acting Dean of Arts and Humanities, and the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand. Her research interests include English language education and the English language.

Nakhon Kitjaroonchai

Nakhon Kitjaroonchai is a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand. His research interests include second language acquisition, learning motivation, and L2 learning achievement.