The Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Two Novice Chinese Early Childhood EFL Teachers

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Two Novice Chinese Early Childhood EFL Teachers
Language: English
Authors: Xiao-bo Shi, Xiang-Yu Li, Susanna S. Yeung (ORCID 0000-0003-0079-7155)
Source: Language Teaching Research. 2025 29(4):1525-1546.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Descriptors: Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Cultural Context, Preschool Teachers, Kindergarten, Bilingual Education, Chinese, English (Second Language), Native Language, Second Language Learning, Teacher Qualifications, Teaching Methods, Course Descriptions, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Beginning Teachers
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1177/13621688221094373
ISSN: 1362-1688
1477-0954
Abstract: Researchers in the field of teacher knowledge have been attempting to delineate pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in different subjects and different levels of education. To date, there is a need to develop a nuanced understanding on the PCK of Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers who teach English as a foreign language (EFL). This study used a qualitative method, stimulated recall classroom observation, to investigate the categories and subcategories of PCK of Chinese EFL teachers from Chinese/English bilingual kindergartens in China. Two novice EFL teachers with less than 2 years of post-qualification teaching experience participated in this study. The data revealed three categories of PCK of ECE EFL teachers in the Chinese context: knowledge of curriculum, knowledge of learners, and knowledge of teaching strategies and multiple representations. Influenced by knowledge of curriculum, and knowledge of teaching strategies and multiple representations, the teachers had commonalities in classroom practice which were the product-oriented pedagogy and the textbook-led syllabus in the Chinese context. The study has several implications for research and practice for ECE EFL teacher education, especially for those practicing in the Chinese context.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1469858
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Researchers in the field of teacher knowledge have been attempting to delineate pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in different subjects and different levels of education. To date, there is a need to develop a nuanced understanding on the PCK of Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers who teach English as a foreign language (EFL). This study used a qualitative method, stimulated recall classroom observation, to investigate the categories and subcategories of PCK of Chinese EFL teachers from Chinese/English bilingual kindergartens in China. Two novice EFL teachers with less than 2 years of post-qualification teaching experience participated in this study. The data revealed three categories of PCK of ECE EFL teachers in the Chinese context: knowledge of curriculum, knowledge of learners, and knowledge of teaching strategies and multiple representations. Influenced by knowledge of curriculum, and knowledge of teaching strategies and multiple representations, the teachers had commonalities in classroom practice which were the product-oriented pedagogy and the textbook-led syllabus in the Chinese context. The study has several implications for research and practice for ECE EFL teacher education, especially for those practicing in the Chinese context.
ISSN:1362-1688
1477-0954
DOI:10.1177/13621688221094373