European Policies in TEFL Teacher Education

ABSTRACT

This research article attempts to create a link between the problems that arise when we try to introduce a European dimension in foreign language teaching, particularly with respect to the role teacher education institutions and programmes should play. A shift in emphasis in foreign language teaching from form-oriented to more communicationoriented work and culture-oriented work should not only make TEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language) approaches in Europe more efficient and effective, but also, at the same time, offer the chance of introducing a European dimension into the very heart of the teaching of English as a foreign language. This means that EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers, more responsibly and knowledgeably than was the case in the past, will give shape to a kind of intercultural foreign language education in which the unique ways of communicating in the various European communities are highlighted. If done in the right way, this could stimulate in our youth an awareness of their own culture and respect for the culture of other speech communities and nations with which we are forming a political and monetary union. Below, an attempt will be made to elucidate this idea.

Keywords:

European dimension, foreign language teacher education, multilingual and intercultural communication.