Learning through Serving: Service Learning as an Alternative Practicum Platform for Pre-service EFL Teachers

This paper presented the findings of the study done at English teacher training program at Kyrgyz State University to examine the effectiveness of Service-learning in pre-service teacher education. At the time of Soviet power, its teachers had various outlets for professional development where they learned new methodologies and motivational techniques to teach foreign languages; however, with the demise of the Soviet Union, teachers have few or no outlets for professional development. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of the service-learning project when used as an alternative practicum platform to provide EFL preservice teachers with the opportunities to gain hands-on experience in their future professions as well as develop their English language proficiency and civic engagement. The analysis of reflective narratives, classroom observations and focus group sessions revealed that the service-learning project had a positive influence on 1) provided preservice teachers with an authentic experience in teaching academic content; b) connecting second/ foreign language theory to real-life contexts; 3) improve their English language competency; and 4) enhanced their civic engagement. The implications of the study may have potential benefits for teacher education institutions to consider service learning programs as an alternative strategy to provide preservice teachers with a hands-on teaching experience.