Exploring a Practice-Based Approach to Foreign Language Teacher Preparation: A Work in Progress

This article describes the implementation of a practice-based approach to foreign language (FL) teacher preparation. After briefly framing the discussion in relation to the literature on the practice-based approach in teacher education including Phase I of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Research Priorities - we present the implementation and integration of this approach in the context of FL teacher preparation. The successes and challenges encountered throughout the implementation experience are discussed, and recommendations are made for practice-based course design in FL teacher preparation programs and for future research on the practice-based approach.