Innovating the TESOL Practicum in Teacher Education

Recognizing new opportunities and challenges brought about by technological and social change, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, this volume explores innovative design, implementation, and pedagogy for practica experiences in teacher education programs in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. By showcasing research and practice undertaken in a range of teacher education courses and programs, the volume offers evidence-based approaches to enhancing pre- and in-service teachers' learning and cultural awareness. Chapters come together coherently to address issues and explore innovative structures revolving around high-quality TESOL practica. Particular attention is paid to emerging opportunities offered by virtual and simulated learning in online and in-person practica, as well as potential changes to best practice in community-based programs. Using a diverse set of lenses to examine the practical, theoretical, and methodological aspects of TESOL practica, this volume will be of interest to students, scholars and researchers with an interest in TESOL education, as well as in open and distance education.

Chang Pu is Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Berry College, USA. Wayne E. Wright is Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Faculty Development and Professor and Barbara I. Cook Chair of Literacy and Language, Purdue University, USA.

1. Introduction: Contextualizing the TESOL Practicum in the Field of TESOL Part 1: The TESOL Practicum in an Era of Change 2. Building a More Resilient Approach to ELL Field Experience in Teacher Education 3. A Turning Point in the TESOL Practicum: Navigating a Forced Move from In-Person to Online Practice Teaching 4. TESOL Practicum in the Pandemic Era: The Emotions and Strategies of Teacher Candidates 5. Evolving the TESOL Practicum: Revisiting the Impact of edTPA 6. Advancing School-Family Coalitions and Cooperative Funds of Knowledge Through Virtual Teaching and Learning in TESOL Practicum Experiences Part 2: The TESOL Practicum in Community-Based Programs 7. Undertaking TESOL Practicum at the Adult ESL Community Outreach Program: Student Teacher's Perceived Affordances, Advantages, and Disadvantages 8. Situating the University Classroom in the Community to Create a Service-Learning Pathway: The Impact on Participants and Recipients Part 3: Innovating the TESOL Practicum 9. TESOL Teacher Candidates in Residency: Practice and Potential for Innovating the Practicum 10. Undergraduate Practicum Design for Equity-Minded and Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Pre-service TESOL Teachers 11. Context as Mediator in Language Teacher Learning During an International Practicum 12. The Role of Practicum Mentors in Developing "Thinking Teachers" 13. Infusing Simulation Technology in Teacher Preparation Programs: Improving English Learner Teaching Skills through Digital Badges 14. Optimizing Practica Through Mixed-Reality Simulation in Teacher Education for TESOL Part 4: Conclusion 15. Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions for the TESOL Practicum