Özet:

The perceived importance teaching English to younger learners has increased in the last few decades. For the need of studying on early language learning, various studies have been undertaken over many years. In these studies, nearly all aspects such as those relating to learners, teachers, parents, education systems, policy-makers, school administrators, environmental factors etc. have been considered by researchers. However, not just in-service teachers but also prospective teachers should be listened to improve the foreign language teaching process. Consequently, the views and perceptions of prospective English Language Teaching (ELT) teachers on teaching English to very young learners are discussed in the present study. In terms of the main aims of this study, it is examined the prospective ELT teachers’ current knowledge, common views, suggestions for improvement via microteaching, practical experiences in real classrooms and suggestions with regard to early language teaching. These aspects have been analyzed in the light of related studies. A total of 64 prospective ELT teachers who have been studying in the ELT Department at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University during the 2022-2023 academic year were involved as participants. Using a semi-structured interview protocol, these individuals were asked about the research aims, and the data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods. The findings of the study show that the prospective ELT teachers had positive attitudes and views with regard to early language teaching; however, they suggested that they needed to be trained in teaching English to very young/young learners in order to develop themselves professionally.

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