The purpose of the present study is to compare the use of discourse markers by pre-service training students and in-service training teachers in middle school contexts. For this purpose, 20 participants in each of the pre-service (PS) and in-service (IS) teacher groups were selected and their teaching was videotaped. Then, the data was transcribed with a focus on the use of discourse markers. The results of the study demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the use of macro-markers between the two groups. However, it is interesting that student teachers in the PS group used various expressions for elaboration a little more frequently than the IS group. In addition, significant differences were found in the use of micro-markers between the two groups in terms of segmentation and temporal markers. On the basis of the results, some pedagogical implications on the teaching of listening and teacher training are suggested.

Since 1998, an elementary teacher education institute in Korea has hosted the center for the gifted education. The institute hired undergraduate students to escort and liaison each class of the gifted student participants with assisting classroom activities. These liaison teachers observed the gifted classroom activities and evaluated them by using a given checklist and filling out pre-made evaluation forms. Currently this system is being transferred from part-time jobs for students to earn allowance into well organized pre-service teacher program focusing on the gifted education. In other words, the purpose of system is being shifted from how liaison teachers facilitate the gifted program to how the system helps the liaison teachers to be quality teachers for the gifted who can understand what the gifted are and how to facilitate them. Analyzed were the self reports of the liaison teachers regarding their perceptions and beliefs of the gifted and their education program. It was found participant liaison teachers purposed to have more live experiences with getting along with students as well. Liaison teachers’ perceptions on establishing a gifted teacher professional education sequence were reported in this study. The potential scaffolding of the pre-service teacher education program model of the gifted education was provided as a consequence of this study.