Pre-service teachers’ implicit and explicit beliefs about English language learners: An implicit association test study
Abstract
Pre-service teachers' attitudes and beliefs about English Learners (ELs) are especially critical as they enter their professions among an increasingly diverse student population. This study uses an Implicit Asso- ciation Test to explore implicit and explicit beliefs and attitudes of pre-service teachers about ELs. Pre- service teachers from a Southeastern U.S. university hold generally positive implicit beliefs about ELs and express positive expectations for working with ELs and school support. Implicit association test measures have potential as tools for preparing pre-service teachers and evaluating the impact of in- terventions that seek to improve teachers’ readiness to serve this population.
Reference
Harrison, J., & Lakin, J. (2018). Pre-service teachers' implicit and explicit beliefs about English language learners: An implicit association test study. Teaching and Teacher Education, 72, 54-63.Â
Journal
Teaching and Teacher Education
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
- Southeastern United States
Institutional Context
Certification Level
- early childhood
- Elementary
- English Education
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- undergraduate preservice teachers
Preservice Sample Size
116
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Explicit Attitude Survey (Reeves, 2006)
- Implicit Association Test
Data Analysis Tools
Researcher Positionality
- Inside (studying their own programs)
Research Questions
What are pre-service teachers' implicit attitudinal beliefs about
English learners when contrasted with mainstream students?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
What (if any) correlations are there between implicit and
explicit attitudes and beliefs?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
How do explicit attitudes and beliefs relate to each other?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes