Lived Experiences of Pre-Service English Teachers in Online Teaching Internship during COVID 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Teaching practicum is an essential phase on the academic journey of future educators in which they can reflect on the world that they are entering, discover insights in the world of teaching, and practice their skills in teaching. The researcher described the lived experiences of pre-service English teachers in a state University in Pampanga, Philippines during the COVID 19 pandemic. The researcher used a qualitative-phenomenological approach to unveil the experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of pre-service English teachers in their teaching practicum during the COVID 19 pandemic. A researcher-made validated interview guide served as the primary data collection tool. The study had 10 English pre-service teachers as participants who were chosen purposively using criteria set by the researcher. The findings of this study revealed that the participants experienced difficulties in their online teaching practicum during the COVID 19 pandemic. These challenges hinder them to perform their duties well. Time management, technological issues, students’ concerns were among the challenges that they encountered. However, despite these challenges, the participants remained consistent in performing their duties as practice teachers by resorting to solutions like having a positive outlook in their teaching practicum, proper time management, and open communication for consulation between their peers and cooperating teachers. Despite the challenges that they encountered, the participants still see and realize how important and beneficial teaching practicum is in their lives as future educators. The researcher recommends that open communication with peers, technological support mechanism, and time management should be attained towards the improvement of the teaching practicum experiences of English pre-service teachers.