Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

k:ONzepte – Lehrer*innenbildung in der Forschung

No. SH, 6/2026 (2026): Special Issue 6, 2026: Leaving the Comfort Zone: International Perspectives on Linguistic Risk-Taking

Linguistic Risk-Taking: Exploring the Perspective of Future Language Educators

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18716/ojs/kON/2026.s6.4
Submitted
August 25, 2025
Published
2026-05-22

Abstract

This article relates linguistic risk-taking (LRT) to the context of future language educators. LRT refers to language learners stepping beyond their comfort zones by using a target language in challenging communicative situations—experiences that can lead to personal growth, enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment. While LRT has been recognized as a valuable element in language learning, its role among teacher trainees remains underexplored. Yet, this group is uniquely positioned to influence LRT in their future classrooms, acting as practitioners and role models for their future students. Raising awareness among teacher candidates about the educational and emotional benefits of LRT is important. Choosing a participatory approach, a survey of 81 university students training to become English teachers was conducted. The results reveal insights into their perceptions and preferences of LRT, particularily for tailoring the Canadian LRT initiative to their needs (Slavkov & Séror, 2019) within their learning context.