Individual Differences among Student Teachers in Taking an Online Corpus Linguistics Course

Abstract

Recently, educating teachers in computer- assisted language learning (CALL) has gained much popularity. In this regard, corpus linguistics (CL), as an area related to CALL, has received great attention. Researchers, now argue strongly for the inclusion of CL in language teacher education (LTE) programs. However, there is no research on how individual and contextual differences may affect student teachers' (STs) reactions to such training. This chapter reports on a qualitative study which explored a range of variables related to STs' personal and professional backgrounds as well as group dynamics influential in the adoption and application of CL training by STs. Through analyzing the data collected using surveys, interviews, and students' written evaluations of the course, it was found that STs' years of teaching experience, characteristics and beliefs, prior experience of online communication, access to technology, and familiarity with and attitudes toward CALL play a crucial role in this regard.