The purpose of this
study is to identify pedagogical formation students’ (teacher candidates’)
communication skills based on their perceptions. The study sought answers to
the following research question: What are the perceptions of pedagogical
formation students (teacher candidates) related to their communication skills?
Assessment of pedagogical formation students’ (teacher candidates’) perceptions
regarding their communication skills was undertaken through qualitative
research methods. Qualitative data collected with the help of semi-structured
interview form were analyzed in terms of content. The study was conducted with
the participation of 48 teacher candidates attending pedagogical formation
classes at Düzce University during 2013-2014 academic year. According to the
data obtained at the end of the study, teacher candidates are aware of the
necessity and importance of communication. They are aware that the prerequisite
for being contented, successful and social individuals and professionals is
healthy and good communication with others. Teacher candidates know the
importance and necessity of body language in effective communication and
generally prefer to use it. They are also aware of the need for written and
oral communication when required. Psychological situations such as anxiety,
stress, lack of self-efficacy, timidity, fear and excitement are regarded as
barriers that inhibit communication. These barriers are followed by being
misunderstood, lack of feedback and language, culture, prior information and
prejudices related to inappropriate context/environment and persons involved in
communication. Teacher candidates express that they can develop communication
skills by participating in social activities. They also state that they can
develop communication skills by reading books/articles/research findings,
participating in courses/seminars/conferences, meeting new and different people
and taking training-expert support.
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