scholarly journals The development of an online game-based simulation for the training of English language teachers in virtual environments

2020 ◽  
pp. 334-341
Author(s):  
Areti Vasmatzoglou ◽  
Neasa Ní Chiaráin
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Practice Experience ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages ◽  
Practice Opportunities

Virtual simulation training has gained in usage in various educational fields and offers the potential to support and reinforce learning goals when practical experience is not possible. Teaching practice experience in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom is critical, yet frequently unobtainable for students in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)/English Language Teaching (ELT) Masters programmes. This paper describes the design, development, and evaluation of a gamified simulation prototype, Virtual EFL Classroom, that was built to offer teaching practice opportunities to students in such programmes. Eleven Masters students enrolled in the ELT programme at Trinity College Dublin took part in this study. Findings indicate that participants enjoyed active experimentation in Virtual EFL Classroom and that it has the potential to enhance student-teachers’ decision-making skills, flexibility, and adaptability in planning and teaching learner-centred lessons.

scholarly journals Kuwaiti Instructors' Beliefs about English Language Teaching and Their Awareness of Global English

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Ahmad F. Alnwaiem ◽  
Abdullah M. Alazemi ◽  
Abdullah A. Alenezi
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Global English ◽  
English Language Teachers

The beliefs of EFL teachers are an essential term perceived in a number of educational fields. Especially in teacher education and behavioural research, this term is usually related to teachers' habits and practices in classes, considering their impact on each other. The aim of this study is to add to prior studies on the subject of teachers' beliefs and to concentrate on English language teachers (ELT). The objective is to merge the theory of instructors' beliefs with Global English (GE). The research question 'what are the Kuwaiti instructors' beliefs about ELT and their awareness of Global English?' formalizes these aims. To accomplish the research: To discover teachers' beliefs about ELT and their awareness of Global English. This research concentrates on English language teachers at the university level. The collection of data has been conducted over two months. For data collection and interpretation, this study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Surveys were chosen as the instrument for data collection. The study used qualitative content analysis in relation to the data analysis method. Moreover, the findings were evaluated based on a deductive and inductive approach to qualitative data analysis. Results indicated various kinds of teachers' beliefs about ELT. Including views about the English language, ELT in relation to the standards, ELT with regard to the GE context. English-language beliefs played a central role in shaping two other views, which were considered secondary beliefs. Except for the content of teachers' beliefs, the study's findings have shown two significant categories of influences: internal and external, that affect the development and application of teachers' beliefs in classrooms. In this study, the internal factor referred mainly to English-language teaching beliefs based on its ability to influence other cognitive constructs (i.e., different convictions, behaviours, sensitivity) and teaching practices. As far as external factors are concerned, the teachers' diverse experiences with individuals (e.g., parents and retired teachers) and administrative legislation (e.g., policy and curriculum) are the main factors. Finally, it was possible to conclude the findings of this analysis in the same manner as previous studies, which combined teacher cognition theory with the field of GE. In other words, teacher beliefs play a crucial part in the teacher's cognitive system as a decisive role in their teaching practice. This study proposes further research to reinforce the results of contemporary research in this area.

scholarly journals Corpora: From theoretical linguistics to language teaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Ikmi Nur Oktavianti
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Materials Development ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
English Usage ◽  
Language Data

Corpus has gained its popularity in linguistics over the past five decades, from the computerized storage of English language in Survey of English Usage in 1959 to the ongoing development of Corpus of Contemporary American English. Because of the huge size of actual language data compiled in corpora, many linguists and language teachers working with English language have benefited from them in linguistic research and teaching practice. Up to now, there are innumerable English online corpora recording data from various genres, modes, and regions as well as corpus tools to analyze self-compiled corpus. The massive development of corpora, however, has not been widely discussed among English language researchers and practitioners in Indonesia, let alone in English language teaching. Although linguistics and language teaching are two inseparable and firmly related fields, corpus as a concept and product of linguistics seems ignored or even avoided. This paper then aims to review the nature of corpus and how it is used to assist linguistic analysis. More importantly, this paper discusses another possible application of corpus, e.g., the use of corpus in teaching language. Considering the nature and the benefits of using corpora, it is then important to promote the use of corpus to enhance English language teaching and learning, either directly in the classrooms or indirectly in materials development.

scholarly journals Reflective Practice: its Contributions for Initial Pre-service Teachers and Further Teachers’ Professional Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-116
Author(s):  
Muhamad Ahsanu
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Research Method ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

This article deals with the notion of reflective practice (RP) and how it may contribute to the professional development in teacher education programs especially for pre-service teachers and in-service teachers within the context of Indonesia. It aims to explore and explain the stance and features of RP and how it can serve to help both pre-service and in-service teachers improve their teaching quality and develop their teaching professionalism, especially those involved in English language teaching (ELT). This article examines the feasibility of this concept to be applied in Indonesian pedagogical contexts. Being widely accepted as an empowering teaching mode practice in most parts of the world, this RP plays a central role in triggering teachers' professional development, leading the teachers to be self-learning, autonomous learning, self-evaluating, and problem-solving-oriented practitioners. The research method used in this article is library research, through which the standpoint and characteristics of RP are explored and disclosed, and RP's potential can be maximized systematically. This library research method is realized based on the five research problems posed in this article. The same data on RP were extracted from research articles and textbooks on RP. The main findings suggest such aspects as the conceptualization of RP, defining features of RP practitioners, benefits teachers can gain from RP, and potential contributions of RP for both pre-service and in-service teachers' teaching competence and continual professional development. Hence, this RP article potentially provides a meaningful paradigm for language teachers and enriches their pedagogical repertoire.  Thus, this article brings about two important notes. First, it theoretically portrays how RP can meaningfully affect the efficacy of ELT practice in Indonesia. Secondly, it fundamentally sets out RP conceptualization as the basis for professional teaching practice through continuous learning and development. That is, learning to develop through a critical self-evaluation of teachers' teaching practice

scholarly journals Exploring mono/multilingual practices on the CELTA course: What trainers say

2021 ◽  
pp. 136216882199125
Author(s):  
Fiona Gallagher ◽  
Catherine Geraghty
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
First Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages ◽  
L1 Use ◽  
The University

This article examines mono- and bi/multilingual practices on the University of Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) course. This course is generally considered to be one of the most popular and widely-recognized initial teacher education programmes in English language teaching worldwide. The article describes a small research project which explored the views of 77 CELTA trainers in relation to the use of the first language (L1) in English language teaching and centred on how this issue is addressed on the teacher training courses they worked on. The study included trainers who use English either as an L1 or as a second language (L2) and both monolingual and bi/multilingual participants. Respondents worked in shared-L1 (where learners share a common language other than English) and in multilingual teaching and training contexts. The need to develop a theoretical framework in relation to L1 use in English language teaching and for a more explicit and considered focus on this issue on the CELTA course was identified, so that both trainers and trainee-teachers can make informed pedagogic decisions around L1 use in their teaching and professional practices. Findings also point to the need for wider discussion within the CELTA community on issues relating to the traditionally monolingual and one-size-fits-all orientation of the course and to the potential added-value of language teachers and educators who bring bilingual skills and perspectives to the classroom, particularly non-native English speakers.

scholarly journals A study of Taiwanese university students’ English use, learning goals and attitudes toward English as a lingua franca

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 775-794
Author(s):  
Wen-Hsing Luo
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Local Variation ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
Attitudes Toward English ◽  
Learning English

 This study investigates Taiwanese university students’ experience of English use, aims of learning English and attitudes toward English as a lingua franca (ELF). The notion of ELF has been researched in the field of English language teaching. However, English teaching practice targeting native-speaker (NS) norms is still prevailing in English classrooms. To better respond to learner needs of using English in the age of globalization, this study explores learners’ English learning and use in relation to their attitudes toward ELF. Research methods including interviewing and questionnaire survey were employed to collect data from English majors at a university in Taiwan. The study finds that the learners were aware of the communicative value of ELF and actually used ELF in intercultural communication. The learners’ use of English in context affected their attitudes toward ELF and aims of learning English. It is found that the learners preferred English conforming to NS norms; yet, they wished to learn local variation of English concerning accents and word use. In light of the findings, the author suggests that English teachers incorporate an ELF perspective into English instruction and help learners develop intercultural awareness and competencies.

scholarly journals Female English Teachers Perceptions and Experience of Continuing Professional Development in Qatar

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Saba Qadhi ◽  
Alan Floyd
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
English Language ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching

The Qatari government views English language learning as crucial to the country’s future success. Anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that English language teachers (ELTs) employed in Qatar may not necessarily have the appropriate training, qualifications, and experience to enable them to teach successfully. Despite growing research and interest in the continuing professional development (CPD) experiences and needs of ELTs in Western contexts, there remains a lack of research in Middle Eastern countries in general and in Qatar in particular. The aim of this study was to address this gap by exploring female ELTs’ perceptions and experiences of CPD in Qatar in order to develop new practical and theoretical insights into our understanding of this area. The study draws on data from life history interviews undertaken with 16 female ELTs with at least 3 years of teaching experience in Qatari schools. The study found that the participants had very different experiences of CPD based on their personal and professional characteristics. This suggests that for it to be perceived as a positive experience, the current model of professional development for ELTs may need revising. We propose a paradigm shift from a traditional “one size fits all” CPD model towards a more dynamic and interactive style of teacher development that facilitates both personal reflection and professional discourse among teachers. It is argued that such a shift would prove a considerable step forward for English language teaching in this country.

scholarly journals MULTIMODALITY, MASS MIGRATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-622
Author(s):  
Vanderlei J. Zacchi
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
English Teaching ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Mass Migration ◽  
Important Means ◽  
English Language Teachers

Abstract: This paper aims to discuss the use of multimodality in English language teaching. The corpus consists of a set of activities based on a series of pictures related to the seizure of two trucks carrying US-bound migrants in 2011. Two different groups, comprised of pre-service and in-service English language teachers, took part in the research. The first part of the activity involved loose interpretations of the pictures and a discussion about migration nowadays. Afterwards, other activities were carried out based on Luke and Freebody's four-resources model (1990). Some preliminary analyses lead us to conclude that the reading of images is very much culturally sensitive and that multimodal ways of meaning making are becoming more powerful in the globalized, digital era, turning them into an important means for English teaching nowadays.

scholarly journals “This is why students feel lost when they go into teaching practice”: English Language Teachers’ Views on their Initial Teacher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 371-387
Author(s):  
Sue Garton
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research

The last 20-25 years have seen a significant shift in the views about what teachers need to know to be able to teach. This shift has led to new developments in the theory of second language teacher education (SLTE) and a growth in research in this area. One area of research concerns the attitudes and expectations of those learning to become teachers. While most studies in this area focus on teacher education programmes in BANA countries, this article looks at data from student teachers studying in Russia and Uzbekistan. The study employed a quantitative and qualitative research design, using a researcher-designed on-line questionnaire. Through snowball sampling, data from 161 students and recent graduates in the two countries were collected, analysed, and compared to investigate the content of SLTE programmes. The study identified what the novice teachers felt were the strengths and weaknesses of their programme, and what changes they would like to see. Results showed that while the respondents were mainly satisfied with their methodology, and theoretical linguistics courses, they felt the need for more practice, both teaching and language practice. The data also revealed that, in Uzbekistan in particular, the idea of global English struggles to take hold as native-speaker models remain the norm. The implications of the study underline the need for SLTE to explicitly link theory to practice and to promote the idea of varieties of English, rather than focus on native-speaker norms.

scholarly journals An Investigation into Teachers Practices of Teaching Early Reading and Practical problems in Its Implementation

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Minwuyelet Andualem Desta
Keyword(s):  
Phonemic Awareness ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Early Reading ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Oral Fluency ◽  
West Gojjam ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
West Gojjam Zone

The purpose of this study was to investigate practices of teaching early reading, and challenges teachers face in its implementation at the Ethiopian primary schools. The study was carried out in 224 grade two government primary schools found in the Amhara National regional State, west Gojjam zone, Ethiopia, in 2019/2020 academic year. To attain this objective, a descriptive research design was employed. The participants of the study were 112 English language teachers enrolled in the primary schools at Dembecha woreda, Jiga woreda, Jabitehinan woreda, and Bure woreda in west Gojjam zone. Interview, questionnaire, and observation were used to gather data. The findings revealed that teachers failed to practice the teaching of early reading in line with the purposes and principles of teaching early reading. Teachers used traditional way of teaching approach in teaching reading. The study also showed that teachers are deficiently trained regarding phonological awareness, alphabetic principle, reading comprehension, oral fluency, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness. Besides, lack of teachers training, lack of materials, and unrelated educational qualification were major impediments of teachers while implementing teaching early reading. Finally, it was recommended that teachers be given trainings about methods of English language teaching in general, and teaching early reading in particular.

scholarly journals Language Teachers’ Emergency Remote Teaching Experiences During the COVID-19 Confinement

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-135
Author(s):  
Catalina Juárez-Díaz ◽  
Moisés Perales
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
English Language ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Teaching Experiences ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Digital Gap ◽  
Negative Feelings

This study describes 26 English language teaching faculty members’ and 32 preservice English as a foreign language teachers’ emergency remote teaching experiences and emotions. Verbal data gathered through an online questionnaire with open questions were analyzed using semidirected content analysis. Most faculty and all students reported negative feelings, which were connected with some faculty members’ focus on delivering content without interaction and with insufficient Internet access. Some students’ autonomy allowed them to overcome the first of these challenges. Teachers with online education training reported better experiences. Thus, universities and the State must provide more training and equipment to close the digital gap and ensure effective emergency remote teaching.

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