Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 4(12A), pp. 1 - 6
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2016.041301
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Evaluating Personal Qualifications of Teacher Candidates in Terms of Intercultural Sensitivity Levels

Gönül Onur Sezer ^1,*, Pınar Bağçeli Kahraman ^2
1 Department of Elementary Education , Faculty of Education, Uludag University, Turkey
² Department of Preschool Education, Faculty of Education, Uludag University, Turkey

ABSTRACT

Teachers first need to participate in cultural activities and must be enthusiastic about improving themselves. It is thought that supporting personal qualifications of teacher candidates through different ways can have positive effects on intercultural sensitivity. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between personal qualifications of preschool and classroom teacher candidates and their intercultural sensitivities. Another aim is to determine if there is a relationship between the departments of preschool and classroom teacher candidates, their friends from different countries and their intercultural sensitivity. General screening model was used in this research, which was carried out to determine personal qualifications of preschool and classroom teachers in terms of intercultural sensitivity. The sample of the research was formed of Classroom (N-110) and Preschool (N=103) teacher candidates. A personal information form and "Intercultural Sensitivity Scale" were used in the research. The data of the scale were evaluated in terms of normality and the distribution was found normal as a result of Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. The distributions of personal qualifications of teachers were evaluated as frequencies and percentages and t-test was used to determine if their departments and foreign friend statuses affected their intercultural sensitivity levels. Furthermore, predictive power of articles that were used to determine the personal qualifications of teacher candidates was analyzed by simple regression analysis. According to the results of the study, it can be said that teacher candidates generally follow activities required by teaching profession that support their cultural developments. It was determined that there is a significant difference on intercultural sensitivity levels of classroom teacher candidates in favor of teacher candidates who express that they have friends from different countries. It was determined that qualifications "Reading cultural books, magazines and newspapers" and "Participating in activities to learn a foreign language" predict teacher candidates' intercultural sensitivities in a positive way.

KEYWORDS
Intercultural Sensitivity, Personal Qualifications, Preschool and Classroom Teacher

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Gönül Onur Sezer , Pınar Bağçeli Kahraman , "Evaluating Personal Qualifications of Teacher Candidates in Terms of Intercultural Sensitivity Levels," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 4, No. 12A, pp. 1 - 6, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2016.041301.

(b). APA Format:
Gönül Onur Sezer , Pınar Bağçeli Kahraman (2016). Evaluating Personal Qualifications of Teacher Candidates in Terms of Intercultural Sensitivity Levels. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 4(12A), 1 - 6. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2016.041301.