This research seeks to identify ways in which international and European enrichment opportunities, promoted within teacher education programmes, can enhance and develop student teachers’ personal and professional skills (including language skills) as well as promoting intercultural understanding. It has developed from evidence of unexpected and far reaching impact on student teachers as a result of their participation in existing  international and European enrichment opportunities. A range of practical placement opportunities are being developed and offered in addition to formal and core module placements within both the Primary Education degree programme (with QTS) and the Postgraduate Certificate of Education at York St John University. These additional enrichment placements are undertaken voluntarily by student teachers at the midpoint of their training and are supported by mentors in the placement setting. Participating students have demonstrated increased levels of efficacy, self confidence and organisational skills, as well as higher levels of pedagogical awareness, subject knowledge and reflective practice. The initial findings also indicate a higher level of intercultural understanding and improved language competencies subsequently impacting on professional practice in the primary classroom.

Key areas to be addressed within the research seek to find further evidence of:

1. The motivating factors that promote the provision of, and student participation in, international and European enrichment opportunities.

2. The ways in which an international or European enrichment experience influences personal and professional development, and shapes student teachers’ attitudes, dispositions and outcomes.

3. The longer term professional impact for participating student teachers on their school based practice and their implementation of statutory curriculum and modern foreign language requirements.

4. The part such additional enrichment experiences play in developing cultural and intercultural awareness and subsequent approaches to multi cultural education.

5. The part such additional enrichment experiences play in breaking down stereotypical views to multicultural education and the promotion of second language learning and speaking.

    

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