scholarly journals Students’ low proficiency in spoken English in private universities in Bangladesh: reasons and remedies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Shaiful Islam ◽  
Mahani Bt Stapa

AbstractStudents of private universities in Bangladesh are often found to be less competent in spoken English. Since the universities have adopted EMI (English medium instruction) policy, the prevailing linguistic condition on the campus is an “English only environment.” In this context, students are required to communicate in English both inside and outside their classroom, but they desperately struggle to cope with this environment. This study attempted to understand and explain this problem; hence, it set three aims: to evaluate students’ current level of proficiency in spoken English, to investigate the reasons, and to offer remedies. Initially, selected students were given an IELTS-style speaking test in order to determine the overall proficiency in spoken English. Then, involving teachers and students, semistructured email interviews were conducted. The findings report that students’ current level of proficiency is around IELTS band score 5. Reasons for low development of spoken English among students include complex nature of speaking, inappropriate application of instructional methods, teachers’ low proficiency in spoken English and controlling behavior, students’ psychological factors, sociocultural factors, students’ inadequate linguistic resources, L1 interference, and large class size. Remedies suggested by the participants entail integrating TBL (task-based learning) and CL (cooperative learning) teaching-learning, making students aware of noticing, learning speaking through listening, teaching collocations, promoting self-regulated learning, and strengthening teacher education. The reasons investigated and the remedies explored have significant implications that might guide the members of the operating trusts of the private universities, members of the curriculum development and revision committees, and the practitioners to adopt practical approaches to ensure effective learning of spoken English by the students.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-19
Author(s):  
Tatiana Antipova ◽  
Ioana Riurean ◽  
Simona Riurean

The pandemic situation at the beginning of March 2020 forced teachers to develop alternative teaching methods, and most important to find the best ways to keep teaching for every student no matter the situation, as for example, the lack of computer knowledge or hardware/software support. Teachers worldwide struggled to support, encourage, find the best ways not only to help students to keep learning but support them emotionally. At the end of the academic year, teachers made efforts to develop fair, appropriate evaluation procedures adapted to distance education. This paper summarizes the Distance Teaching-Learning-Evaluation (DTLE) evolution in Russia and Romania and some methods developed from March to December 2020 to support the educational activity. Some benefits, challenges and difficulties are identified during the same period of time in different DTLE scenarios, from the point of view of teachers and students, as well. Examples of new adapted methods, dedicated to the DTLE scenarios are al-so addressed in this work.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arati Prabhu ◽  
Prachi Wani

The study is undertaken to understand the importance of English language skills in the Indian hospitality industry, and the gaps therein. It studies the challenge as it exists in Pune city, and how AISSMS College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology has attempted to address the issue(s). The study aims at gathering primary information by means of questionnaires. It sheds light on the gap between existing and desired standards of English proficiency. It also highlights the attempts by the three important stakeholders in order to address the issue. Though, attempts are made from the industry, teachers and students, it is recognized that joint efforts need to be made to tackle the problem collectively and from all sides. It is an urgent calling for innovative teaching learning practices and encouraging sound develop initiatives and commitment. The primary data is across the cross section of Pune hoteliers, teachers and students of the college. The findings reflect the importance of English as the universal medium of communication, and its importance in rendering quality service and importantly.


Author(s):  
Kingsley Okoye ◽  
Jorge Alfonso Rodriguez-Tort ◽  
Jose Escamilla ◽  
Samira Hosseini

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many areas of the human and organizational ventures worldwide. This includes new innovative technologies and strategies being developed by educators to foster the rapid learning-recovery and reinstatement of the stakeholders (e.g., teachers and students). Indeed, the main challenge for educators has been on what appropriate steps should be taken to prevent learning loss for the students; ranging from how to provide efficient learning tools/curriculum that ensures continuity of learning, to provision of methods that incorporate coping mechanisms and acceleration of education in general. For several higher educational institutions (HEIs), technology-mediated education has become an integral part of the modern teaching/learning instruction amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, when digital technologies have consequently become an inevitable and indispensable part of learning. To this effect, this study defines a hybrid educational model (HyFlex + Tec) used to enable virtual and in-person education in the HEIs. Practically, the study utilized data usage report from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Emotions and Experience Survey questionnaire in a higher education setting for its experiments. To this end, we applied an Exponential Linear trend model and Forecasting method to determine overall progress and statistics for the learners during the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequently performed a Text Mining and Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine effects and significant differences that the teaching–learning experiences for the teachers and students have on their energy (learning motivation) levels. From the results, we note that the hybrid learning model supports continuity of education/learning for teachers and students during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also discusses its innovative importance for future monitoring (tracking) of learning experiences and emotional well-being for the stakeholders in leu (aftermath) of the Covid-19 pandemic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Abatar Subedi

This paper intends to analyze perceptions of students and teachers towards the semester system of Tribhuvan University (TU). The result of the study is based on the data collected through survey questionnaire from 40 university teachers and 194 master level students. The perception is discussed in terms of learning environment, resources, use of ICT tools, contents and activities. The findings show that the perception of teachers and students towards curriculum, teaching/learning environment, and regularity of classes and viability of semester system are in positive direction. However, the availability of learning resources and use of ICT tools in day to day teaching/learning are not in satisfactory way in the perception of the participants. Their perceptions also reveal that facilities of extra-curricular activities, play grounds and canteen are inadequate. Similarly, the teachers and students perceive that availability of both human and academic resources is inadequate. The students experience show that there is teacher domination in selection of teaching methods; less use of ICT materials to promote learning; difficulty in completing courses in the stipulated time and not timely declaring exam result. However, this system has encouraged and empowered creativity among students for learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-88
Author(s):  
Vincentas Lamanauskas ◽  
Violeta Slekiene ◽  
Gabriel Gorghiu ◽  
Costin Pribeanu

Mobile technology is now part of the everyday life of teachers and students and thus tends to become an inseparable part of the educational activities. Teachers and students are increasingly using mobile technologies in teaching and learning. Therefore, it is purposeful to responsibly integrate technologies into the educational process. However, technical and pedagogical support is necessary in order to facilitate both teacher and students’ understanding of this educational potential. Besides, it is still very little known and there is very little evidence about the effectiveness of the application of these technologies in the teaching/learning process. This research aims to explore the perceptions of Romanian and Lithuanian teachers regarding the use of mobile technologies in education. Keywords: motivation to learn, mobile technology, preliminary study, science education, science teachers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (194) ◽  
pp. 167-172
Author(s):  
Tetyana Tokaryeva ◽  

The article considers the main features of a foreign language lesson in view of the goals and content of the lesson, its complex nature, structure and main types. Considerable attention is paid to the complex nature of work in the classroom, as all elements of language material – phonetic, lexical and grammatical – are interdependent in the implementation of foreign language speech activities. The specifics of goal setting are considered taking into account the features of the lesson, its structure and typology. The purpose of the lesson is a definite reflection of the ultimate goal, a specific part of it. Proper understanding of the purpose of the lesson should be based on a combination of two features of the lesson – language learning and complexity. Each foreign language lesson has a practical, educational and upbringing purpose. The structure of the lesson involves closely interrelated and independent activities of teachers and students, in which the learning process is embodied. The article focuses on the initial stage of a foreign language lesson, which prepares students to implement skills and abilities in various types of speech activities, such as speaking, listening, reading and writing. The beginning of the lesson is one of the constant stages of a foreign language lesson. The initial stage consists of various exercises, mostly oral. It can also be implemented in the form of dialogue between students, in the form of students asking a series of questions on a particular topic addressed to the class. The teacher may also suggest starting the lesson with a story based on familiar and understandable learning material. In addition, individual or frontal control can be performed at the beginning of the lesson. Since a foreign language lesson is a lesson in the development of skills, the stages of communication and consolidation of new knowledge are combined with the performance of various exercises. Lessons of different types, combined for a specific purpose, can form a system of thematic series, within which the objectives of the lessons vary in quantitative and qualitative terms. There are three such systems, namely, the system of lessons aimed at: 1) the development of oral skills and abilities; 2) reading and understanding the text; 3) for the development of both groups of skills. An overview of the typology of foreign language lessons developed and proposed by leading experts in the field of methods of teaching foreign languages is presented in order to emphasize the features of a foreign language lesson.


Pedagogika ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Kęstutis Trakšelys

Behaviour is usually named as a main and the essential educational stimulus in the lesson. Due to the pupils’ inappropriate behaviour is common to blame their unwillingness to learn, laziness or period of adolescence. Teachers are usually looking for various types of abnormal behavior and other disorders in their pupils. Students who had teacher‘s assistant practice at schools were observing pupils and their teachers interaction in lessons. The observed lessons’ data show that lots of impact for pupil’s behaviour has teacher’s personality, the ability to communicate, respect and interact with them. The appropriate teaching organization, the competence to explain the aims and goals of the task, ability to select suitable teaching / learning methods, didactic attitude, the ability to control emotional intelligence and ect. According to reports of students, who had pedagogical teacher’s assistant practice at these schools, teachers not always give well suited teaching material. It doesn’t correspond to the pupils in his / her needs, interests, and expectations. Thy don‘t want and can‘t concentrate attention for 45 minutes. Sometimes happen when the teacher has wrong planned lessons, then pupils waste their time because simply they don‘t have what to do. The results show that very low percent of pupils work effectively, have high quality knowledge and learning results. In many cases teachers do not create positive learning environment, fail to ensure emotional security by threatening to write negative marks, to send away from classroom or end the lesson. Teachers usually don’t pay enough attention for their pupils for many reasons. They prefer treating these who are more motivated to study or are going to take the exam of the curriculum. Behaving in this way teachers make all conditions for unwillingness to study and provoke inappropriate activity of their students during lessons. In such conditions the educators don’t involve pupils of all social groups. It means that integration doesn’t work for children with the special needs. Also doesn’t work so called the inclusive education. Thy do not ensure pleasant microclimate in the classroom and suitable educational environment. The observation results state that some educators of these schools acted inadequate by writing negative marks for the students who tried to show inappropriate behaviour. Also we should emphasize that some teachers and students, who had teacher’s assistant practice, lack abilities to adapt their pedagogical and psychological knowledge in their work with pupils. They lack of abilities to control the audience, to interact with the pupils. Also they lack skills of working in a stratified society.


Author(s):  
Daniel Chavarría-Bolaños ◽  
Adrián Gómez-Fernández ◽  
Carmen Dittel-Jiménez ◽  
Mauricio Montero-Aguilar

While countries are facing different stages in their COVID-19 infection rates, worldwide there are millions of students affected by universities’ facilities closures due to the pandemic. Some institutions have enforced strategies to transfer some courses to a virtual modality, but many Dental Schools have been challenged to deal with a situation which requires emergency measures to continue the academic course in the middle of lock-downs and social distancing measures. Despite the fact that the number of online academic programs available, especially graduate programs, has increased in diverse modalities, this pandemic forced e-learning processes to develop abruptly. The likelihood of using e-learning strategies in dentistry was substantiated in the scientific literature and an overview of these opportunities is presented. Additionally, the experience of the University of Costa Rica Faculty of Dentistry is presented, as it was evident that some of the key elements in a e-learning environment needed a quick enhancement and initiation of some processes was required. First, it was necessary to categorize the academic courses depending on their virtualization's possibility (curricula analysis and classification), to better understand the extent of the impact and the work needed to contain, as far as the possibilities allowed, negative consequences on students learning process. Second, teachers needed further training in the application of virtual strategies which they hadn’t used before. do Third, an evaluation of the students’ conditions and needs was conducted in a form of a survey. Finally, teachers and students activated the available virtual platforms. For many Dental Schools, this virtualization process is an ongoing progress although it was abruptly imposed, but this moment indeed represents an enormous opportunity to move forward and get immerse in the virtualization environment as a teaching/learning experience.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-104
Author(s):  
Yusuf Budi Prasetya Santosa ◽  
Fahmi Hidayat

The use of varied learning models by history teachers will facilitate teachers and students in implementing and following the learning process. This study aims to determine the learning process and the use of learning models used by history teachers. This study uses a qualitative methodology with an observation and interview approach conducted at two high schools, Dian Didaktika High School and SMA Negeri 2 Depok. From the results of the study it can be seen, that the history teacher at the two schools has carried out the learning process using a scientific approach. There is no difference in the selection of learning strategies, both of them use the contextual teaching learning model. The difference between the two is in the selection of learning methods, where the history teacher Dian Didaktika uses the method of learning project base learning and the history teacher of SMA Negeri 2 Depok uses a method of learning outside the classroom by visiting museums.


2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 734-753
Author(s):  
Mehboob Ul Hassan ◽  
Rafaqat Ali Akbar

Technology plants concrete effects on the supremacy of humans' technological success that have been remaining awe-inspiring aspects for stakeholders; teachers and students since last eras. Teachers make students technologically literate, reshape their hidden potential, skill them through modern gadgets, help in understanding and evaluating their functions applying technological and engineering standards for goal achievements. Present research was conducted to explore the effect of teachers’ technological literacy on students’ academic success occurs in vibrant environment on conveniently selected sample of 200 teachers working in public and private universities of district Lahore. Researchers administered a self-developed survey to collect data from teachers. Content validity of questionnaire was ensured from experts and reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha Scores .821. Normality of the data was assured by calculating Shapiro-Wilk’s test, ¬ n < 2000, p > .05. Students’ academic success was measured through acquiring achievement scores, obtained from concerned university offices ensuring ethical considerations, as in data collections. Results of independent samples t-test and regression analysis ascertained no significant difference between usage of technological literacy by teachers’ gender and university type; male teachers working in public and private universities have same usage of technological literacy as compared to female teachers. Moreover, teachers’ technological literacy affect 43% on students’ academic success occurs in vibrant learning environment. On the basis of results, research recommends that universities may established digital lab ensuring vibrant environment and hire technologically literate staff providing fringe benefits to meet 21st century technological literacy demands for students’ success. Keywords: digital citizenship, students’ achievement scores, technological literacy, technological concepts, vibrant environment


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