Does Field of Specializations make a difference A Comparison of ELT Instructors and Content Teachers Pedagogic Knowledge Base in Discipline-based EAP Courses

Despite the significance of teachers mental life inquiries as well as extensive research on teachers pedagogical knowledge base in TEFL, the literature on pedagogic knowledge base from EAP teachers frame of reference in EAP context is still scanty. Besides, in some EAP context, discipline-based EAP courses are presented by teachers with different field of specializations, that is, ELT instructors and content teachers which may yield different understandings and thought units for teachers in teaching EAP courses. Given the culture and context-sensitive nature of teachers pedagogic knowledge in teaching and learning within which L2 teachers operate, in this study, teachers field of specialization was selected as an indicator of expertise in language teaching to find the two groups of teachers dispositions, preferences and approaches while teaching discipline-based EAP courses. Thus, the current sought to investigate the likely differences and similarities between the type and frequency of pedagogical knowledge base and thought units of ELT instructors and content teachers in EAP courses. Hence, using a qualitative design, data were collected through stimulated recall, semi-structured interview and field-notes for six entire sessions of eight EAP teachers (4 ELT instructors and 4 content teachers) in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The findings pointed to more pedagogical thoughts (two times more) on the part of ELT instructors during teaching EAP courses compared with the content teachers as well as similar pedagogical thought categories except for minor differences with regard to their ranking. In contrast to ELT instructors whose frequent thought categories were procedure check and comprehensibility , content teachers most frequent categories were planning act and institution comments . Additionally, the findings points to new pattern, ideas and options for teacher educators in EAP.

Keywords:

Content and ELT instructors , Pedagogical knowledge base , EAP discipline-based EAP courses , Field of specialization