The Effects of a Learner-Centered Language Instruction Course on Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Perceptions of Language Education and Changes in Language Teaching Efficacy

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a learner-centered language instruction course on pre-service early childhood teachers’ perceptions of language education and changes in their language teaching efficacy. The participants were 23 students enrolled in a language instruction course at C University during the first semester of 2025. The research instrument used was the “Early Childhood Language Teaching Efficacy Scale” developed by Yoon Jin-Joo (2009). Data collected for the study included a language teaching efficacy questionnaire, open-ended survey responses on perceptions of language education, midterm and final course evaluations, and course-related outputs. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. The findings are as follows: First, participants’ understanding of the concept and importance of language shifted from a theoretical and conceptual understanding to a more practical awareness and attitude, and from a personal perspective to a recognition of the influence and responsibility of early childhood teachers. Their perception of the importance of early childhood language education evolved into an enhanced awareness of early childhood as a “critical period” that impacts the entire lifespan, and expanded to include language as a key tool for holistic development. Second, regarding the effects on language teaching efficacy, the learner-centered language instruction course had a statistically significant positive effect on improving pre-service teachers’ language teaching efficacy (t = -2.86), with a particularly strong effect on enhancing their personal teaching efficacy (t = -3.68). Factors contributing to this change included experiences of mock teaching sessions within a learning community and engagement in self-directed learning activities. In conclusion, the learner-centered language instruction course is an effective teaching method for enhancing pre-service early childhood teachers’ perceptions of language education and their language teaching efficacy.