Perceptions of Pre-service Teachers Regarding Entrepreneurship Education: A Metaphoric Study

Without being aware of it, metaphorical concepts reveal their expressions word for word in our social life. It is the expression of thoughts using concrete and abstract concepts. The aim of this study is to reveal the mental perceptions of teacher candidates about entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship skills by using metaphors. The participants of the study are teacher candidates studying in ten different branches at the Faculty of Education in Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University in the 2019-2020 academic year. In the research, as a data collection tool, a form that includes the expression "Entrepreneurship education / entrepreneurship skill…… because……" was used to identify metaphors for entrepreneurship education. The data obtained from the data collection tool were analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques. Content analysis and metaphor analysis were used in the analysis of the data. According to the findings obtained from the study, pre-service teachers produced a total of 100 metaphors for entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship skills. These metaphors are evaluated in three categories: 1-Theoretical framework of entrepreneurship education, 2-Values of entrepreneurship education, 3-Sub-skills of entrepreneurship education. These conceptual categories were examined according to the pre-service teachers' branches and the data obtained were evaluated under three main categories and under thirty-five titles. According to the results of the research, the perceptions of pre-service teachers about entrepreneurship education and gaining entrepreneurship skills are generally positive.