Abstract:

The concepts related to modern language teaching are significantly influenced by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and its companion volume with new descriptors (CV CEFR). Despite the fact that many countries claim that they have aligned their national language curricula and examinations with the CEFR, teaching processes at primary and secondary schools seem to be rather traditional.

Our research is based on an analysis of the questionnaires distributed to student teachers who attend the academic pre-service teacher training course in the first semester of their master-degree studies. Being exposed to new approaches in teaching English, they were asked a number of questions referring to the concepts that are behind the CEFR. An analysis of their answers will allow the intensification of their teacher training in the next semester with the aim to change their thinking, significantly influenced by their own learning experience.

The article will present the concepts that are in focus of our teaching programme as the questions of the questionnaires included the key notions emphasised by the CEFR such as authenticity, autonomy, strategy development, four modes of communication, plurilingualism, pluriculturalism, etc. Some ideas presented in the initial stage of the course were received with uncertainty as the students were significantly influenced by their previous experience when learning a language at primary or secondary schools. One of the fundamental problems was that teachers used modern course books applying traditional approaches to language teaching.

The data achieved from the questionnaires concerning student teachers’ misconceptions will be analysed and commented on in reference to the previously mentioned CEFR concepts. The article will describe the activities that encouraged student teachers to change their approach to language learning and accept that learning a language is based on competence development rather than memorising lists of words or grammatical patterns. The selected activities reflecting real life situations will be presented and commented on.

Keywords:

English language teaching, modern teaching, real-life situations, CEFR concepts.