Reflecting is necessary: methodological procedures in a pilot study with teachers in training in the field of German as a foreign language

Abstract

This paper analyzes how the methodological procedures of a pilot study are used for the development of research focused on stimulating creativity of German as foreign language teachers. The pilot study enables the preparation for data collection, review of methodological choices, evaluation of instrument effectiveness and adequacy of the phases planned for research. The study was carried out in collaboration with three pre-service teachers of the Federal University of Santa Catarina of the German language course. The collected materials include: semi-structured interviews, audio reports recorded after class (lautes Erinnern), reports collected during a workshop and a final meeting to evaluate the course. As theoretical support, the premises of the reflective approach are reconsidered, opposing them to recent demands. Analysis of the selected procedures to encourage reflection shows that the methodological choices were adequate and allowed for establishing determinant factors for the design of the official research, such as the adequacy of the time required and the sequence of procedures provided for each step. The use of such instruments allowed teachers in training identified problems, pointed out solutions and evaluated their consequences during the individual reports and in the collaborative planning, revealing the importance of spaces such as this one for discussion and reflection on pedagogical practice.