In-service training of preschool English teachers: Needs and proposed program

In this study, it was aimed to determine the in-service training needs of English teachers working at preschools and to develop an in-service training program for them. The views of English teachers, preschool teachers and school administrators were included in the study. Suggestions about the features that should be gained to teachers, the educational situations that should be arranged and how to test the features to be gained are presented regarding the in-service training program developed to meet the in-service training needs of English teachers in pre-school education. In the study, phenomenology was used to investigate the opinions and experiences of the participants about the in-service training needs of English teachers working in pre-school units. Semi-structured interview forms and observation form developed by the researcher were used as data collection tools. The study was limited to seven English teachers, six preschool teachers and three school administrators working in preschools in Ankara in the 2022-2023 academic year and was selected with purposive sampling. The data were analyzed by content analysis. As a result of the research, it has been determined that English teachers working in preschools have the most difficulties in classroom management, teaching English to young children, getting to know students and communicating with stakeholders. As a result of data analysis, it was found that the highest frequency of in-service training needs of English teachers working in pre-schools was about classroom management. An in-service training program named "Effective Classroom Management for Preschool English Teachers" has been developed for this need.