Four decades of ELT development in Hong Kong: Impact of global theories on the changing curricula and textbooks

2019 ◽  
pp. 136216881986556
Author(s):  
Jim Yee Him Chan
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Oxford University ◽  
The Past ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Language Needs ◽  
Recent Debate ◽  
Textbook Design

The past 40 years have witnessed significant developments in ELT research, reflecting the changes in learners’ language needs and the extensive development of various language learning/teaching methods in different times and places. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic and comprehensive account of changing ELT methods (oral-structural approach, communicative language teaching and task-based language teaching) in Hong Kong’s secondary education between 1975 and the present. By adopting Richards and Rodgers’s (2014) framework (approach, design and procedure), it examined how ELT theories have been transformed into local curricula (1975, 1983, 1999 and 2002/07) and commercial textbooks (Longman, Oxford University Press) via detailed content analysis. The findings suggest that research into ELT methods in Hong Kong over the past decades has generally directed the designs of the language curricula. Changes in the textbooks, however, have been relatively limited, although considerable attempts have been made to align textbook design with ELT trends. By considering various constraints in the theory-to-practice process, this study offers suggestions for future research and language teaching, particularly regarding the recent debate over the choice between the ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ versions of task-based language teaching in EFL contexts, and the post-methods perspective in language teaching.

British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Students’ Manual: A Critical Analysis of the Coursebook Taught at Pakistani Universities

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
English For Academic Purposes ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Teaching Principles ◽  
Language Needs

English for Academic Purposes course focusing on the academic language needs of students is a subfield of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). It is a type of specialized course to integrate specific subject matter, language content, and material based on learners’ needs. The study aims to evaluate the British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursebook in terms of content, sequencing, learners’ autonomy, motivation, feedback and focus on language skills. Furthermore, the study tries to provide a general perception of the usefulness and effectiveness of the coursebook for undergraduate students. The EAP Students’ Manual coursebook is used as a primary source for the data collection. The researcher has chosen Nation & Macalister (2010) model of language teaching principles to analyze and discuss the data. The study found the coursebook a useful, effective and an appropriate source of English language learning in terms of the investigated aspects of the book. The findings report that the coursebook provides practice and practical usage in all domains of the academically required English language skills. It helps the students to build language competency and to be more independent learners. In addition, it provides an opportunity to the learners to think in the target language, use the language more practically and learn it in a natural type of environment. The study concludes and suggests that the content needs to be supplemented with English language audios and videos presenting the students relevant documentaries and helping material in order to make the coursebook and the learning process more useful, effective, interesting and motivating. Furthermore, the study recommends that while choosing /designing a coursebook for a certain course, it needs to be evaluated following the various criteria and language-teaching-principles suggested by different language researchers.

Planning for Future Inquiry

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy L Egbert ◽  
Seyed Abdollah Shahrokni ◽  
Xue Zhang ◽  
Intissar Ahmed Yahia ◽  
Nataliia Borysenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Focal Area ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

The body of research on CALL tasks and topics grows daily; however, there are still a number of areas that are underrepresented in the literature. While there are many gaps in the CALL research to address, this article specifically focuses on eight gaps, chosen because of their perceived importance in improving CALL evidence and research practices and, by extension, language teaching and learning. In presenting the gaps, each section in this article: 1) provides a rationale for exploring the topic, 2) briefly reviews studies that typify the extant research in the focal area, and 3) provides recommendations for future research. The purpose of this article is to encourage all stakeholders in CALL to join in the rigorous and multi-perspective exploration of these under-addressed areas and strengthen the use of CALL for language learning and teaching.

The Impacts of Distance Interactivity on Learners' Achievements in Online Mobile Language Learning

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Mellati ◽  
Marzieh Khademi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Context ◽  
The Past ◽  
English Language Instruction ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Passionate Debate

The expansion of technological applications such as computers and mobile phones in the past three decades has impacted our life from different perspectives. Language teaching is no exception and like other fields of study, language teaching has also influenced by new language teaching sources and software. More recently, there has been a passionate debate about the usefulness of the smart-phones for educational purposes and their possible uses in English language instruction; therefore, the present study investigated the impacts of interactivity perceptions on EFL learners' achievements in Online Mobile Language Learning (OMLL) course. To conduct the present study, 68 Iranian intermediate EFL learners were chosen among which 43 participated in Online Mobile Language Learning (OMLL) course and 25 others participated in conventional language classrooms. The results of the study demonstrated that OMLL has significant effects on learners' achievements; however, there are some challenges in conducting online mobile language learning (OMLL) courses in Iranian EFL context.

Planning for Future Inquiry

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Joy L Egbert ◽  
Seyed Abdollah Shahrokni ◽  
Xue Zhang ◽  
Intissar Ahmed Yahia ◽  
Nataliia Borysenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Focal Area ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

The body of research on CALL tasks and topics grows daily; however, there are still a number of areas that are underrepresented in the literature. While there are many gaps in the CALL research to address, this article specifically focuses on eight gaps, chosen because of their perceived importance in improving CALL evidence and research practices and, by extension, language teaching and learning. In presenting the gaps, each section in this article: 1) provides a rationale for exploring the topic, 2) briefly reviews studies that typify the extant research in the focal area, and 3) provides recommendations for future research. The purpose of this article is to encourage all stakeholders in CALL to join in the rigorous and multi-perspective exploration of these under-addressed areas and strengthen the use of CALL for language learning and teaching.

scholarly journals The motivational dimension of language teaching

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pedagogical Innovation ◽  
Learner Motivation ◽  
Enhanced Mobility ◽  
Vital Component

Motivation is recognized as a vital component in successful second language learning, and has been the subject of intensive research in recent decades. This review focuses on a growing branch of this research effort, that which examines the motivational effects of language teaching. This is pertinent because, despite enhanced mobility and expanding access to foreign languages online, most learners’ early encounters with the second language (L2) still take place in classrooms, and these encounters may shape attitudes and determine students’ willingness to invest further in the L2. Four main types of research are reviewed: first, that which deliberately seeks to identify and evaluate strategies to motivate L2 learners; second, that which has tested the validity of psychological theories of motivation by applying their precepts in L2 classrooms; third, that which assesses the motivational effects of a pedagogical innovation or intervention; fourth, research on what has been too often the unintended outcome of language education, namely learner demotivation. The review highlights the complexity of the relationship between teaching and learner motivation but an attempt is made to articulate some emerging verities and to point towards the most promising avenues for future research.

Beyond form-focused instruction: Reflections on past, present and future research

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Spada
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
L2 Learning

In 1997 I published a paper in Language Teaching entitled ‘Form-focused instruction and second language acquisition: A review of classroom and laboratory research’. The paper reviewed the results of studies investigating the effects of form-focused instruction (FFI) on second language (L2) learning. It was organized around seven questions, including: whether FFI is beneficial to L2 learning; whether particular types of FFI are more beneficial; whether there is an optimal time to provide FFI; and whether different language features benefit more from FFI. In this paper I revisit these questions and reflect on how research on FFI and L2 learning has evolved over the past twelve years.

Déjà vu? A decade of research on language laboratories, television and video in language learning

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Vanderplank
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Interactive Television ◽  
Video On Demand ◽  
Streaming Video ◽  
Future Research ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Digital Language ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

The developments in the last ten years in the form of DVD, streaming video, video on demand, interactive television and digital language laboratories call for an assessment of the research into language teaching and learning making use of these technologies and the learning paradigms underpinning them. This paper surveys research on language teaching and learning using these and older technologies since 1999, and maps out some pointers for future research. The evidence suggests that research on video and language learning using DVD and other recent technologies is already well established, bringing out a number of issues for further study. In contrast, research-led implementation of the enhanced functionality of digital language laboratories is hardly in its infancy and much language laboratory use is marginal at best.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Research in Second Language Acquisition: A Snapshot of the Past Ten Years (2009 – September 2019)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amirreza Karami
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Modern Language ◽  
The Past ◽  
Modern Language Journal

The purpose of this systematic review is to provide second language acquisition (SLA) researchers with an overview of research trends in this field in the last ten years (2009-2019). In doing so, three international peer-reviewed journals, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Language Teaching Research, and The Modern Language Journal, were selected. 150 articles were systematically selected and analyzed. The analysis of data resulted in identifying six descriptive themes. Results showed that some areas of second language acquisition still need further exploration while some areas are of great interest for researchers. Some suggestions for future research as well as implications of the study were discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Exploring Movies for Language Teaching and Learning at the Tertiary Level

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
Norwati Roslim ◽  
Aini Faridah Azizul ◽  
Vahid Nimehchisalem ◽  
Muhammad Hakimi Tew Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Oral Skills ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

Abstract: The increasing importance of using movies to enhance second language teaching and learning has been addressed by researchers and educators. A few scholarly studies have effortlessly put forward significant findings on using movies in the area of theoretical bases, pedagogical aspects and learners’ perspectives. However, more studies need to be explored further as proposed by many scholars in their suggested future research. Hence, this study aims to investigate perceptions and experiences among university undergraduate students in exploring English language movies of their own choice for their oral commentary presentations. A corpus of English movies selected by students was used to assist students in their presentations. A total of 77 university undergraduates took part in the study. The data was collected through an online survey which consisted of a three-section questionnaire: demographic profile, learners’ perceptions and learners’ experiences. The data were analysed descriptively using SPSS version 20. The results revealed that using movies has helped students mainly, in improving their oral skills, vocabulary, interest and motivation as well as decreasing their anxiety and tension. This study adds to the body of knowledge and benefits educators and instructors on using movies for language teaching and learning.   Keywords: Experiences, Language Learning, Movies, Perceptions

scholarly journals The Role of Digital Technology in English Language Teaching in Azerbaijan

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milana Abbasova ◽  
Narmin Mammadova
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Use Of Technology

The current study uses qualitative methodology to explore the role that digital technology plays in both second language acquisition and teaching. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 teachers aged between 23 and 55 who are currently employed by Khazar University, Azerbaijan. Teachers indicate that the use of technology has an important impact on student’s second language learning. Although some of the teachers displayed negative effects of modern technologies on getting students’ attention, positive feedback is more available. Teachers demonstrated how the use of technology in teaching and learning supports students’ engagement in education. Overall, this study provides a reader with a general understanding of both students and teachers’ involvement in digital media as well as the effectiveness of second language teaching with technologies at higher educational institutions of Azerbaijan. Future research in the same area of study is needed to compare both teachers’ and students’ perceptions separately in broader sample and identify the key factors that affect teacher’s decision to choose rather traditional methods.

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