Department of General Education Launches Field Training and Practicum Program for ELT Students in Erbil Schools

As part of fulfilling the academic requirements for the bachelor’s degree and bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, fourth-year students in the Department of General Education (English Language Teaching – ELT) at Cihan University–Erbil commenced their field training program, which includes teaching practice and classroom observation, at various schools across Erbil.

The program began in early October 2026 and is scheduled to run for one month under the supervision of the department’s administration and academic mentors. The graduating students have been placed in selected public and private schools to carry out their teaching assignments in accordance with contemporary pedagogical standards.

The host schools have provided supportive educational environments, enabling the student-teachers to deliver lessons effectively. This experience has allowed the students to apply linguistic theories and modern ELT methodologies in real classroom settings through daily lesson planning, developing students’ core language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), and integrating interactive educational media and tools to foster collaborative learning.

The practicum program plays a vital role in developing the professional identities of future educators. It provides students with direct classroom experience, strengthens their classroom management and communication skills, helps them address individual learner differences, and enables them to benefit from constructive feedback from their academic supervisors. These experiences enhance their professional competence and prepare them for future careers in education.