The long-term effects of an international teaching practicum: The development of personal and professional competences of Korean pre-service teachers

This study investigates the long-term effects of an international teaching practicum (ITP) on the development of teachers’ personal and professional competence. Based on diaries of seven Korean participants in their ITP, the study also explores the teachers’ current experiences. Data were collected using three methods: teaching diaries, interviews from the participants, and field-notes from the program instructor. The teaching diaries were written while the participants were in their ITP (2016-2017), and the interviews were conducted in 2018. Through ITP participation, the Korean pre-service teachers achieved various insights toward differences, and this led them to possess openness. These insights became their identities-in-practice as a kind person and innovative teacher, which brought reconceptualization and reconstruction of their teaching practice, long-termly.