Faith - Based Teacher Emotional Experiences: A Case Study of a Veteran English Lecturer in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaowei Ding ◽  
Peter I. De Costa

Abstract The exploration of links between faith and second language pedagogy has been underexplored, and the emotional experiences of English language teachers of religious faith are even less studied in applied linguistics circles. This qualitative case study is an effort to address this gap in the research by investigating the faith-based emotional experiences of May, a veteran English lecturer practicing Buddhism in China, by drawing on multiple data sources that include interviews, classroom observations, WeChat conversations, student evaluations, and researcher journals. Our findings revealed that (1) May’s emotional experiences were strongly driven by and deeply derived from her Buddhist faith and other aspects of identity in the classroom; (2) her faith-based emotional experiences were dynamic and fluid; (3) her faith-based identity occupied a central position alongside her professional identities and had a transformative influence on both her emotional experiences and her identity development; and (4) the interactions among her emotional experiences, multiple identities, and pedagogical praxis were complex and reciprocal. The research implications, limitations and future directions are also discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-145
Author(s):  
Anastasia Nelladia Cendra ◽  
Markus Budiraharjo

To fill the gap and add literature on systematic reflections in the area of teacher identity developments, this research, which is a part of a larger case study, described how reflection class followed by pre-service teachers of English language in a teacher development program in Indonesia (PPG Pra-jabatan) was conducted. Using a single case study with embedded design and multiple data sources (observations, interviews, and document analysis), this research found that in its effort to help pre-service teachers’ identity development, the reflection class followed a certain procedure that comprises of two phases (i.e. reflection phase and publication preparation phase). In addition, this research also found some protocols that were adhered by the reflection class (i.e. involving social reflection, providing a safe and secure learning environment, feedback provision to the reflections, and giving appropriate prompts). This research recommends the teacher education and teacher professional development programs give more attention to how reflection is conducted. In particular, it is suggested that some protocols of conducting a good reflection are considered so that the pre-service teachers can make the most of the reflective activities.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110237
Author(s):  
İlknur Bayram ◽  
Fatma Bıkmaz

This qualitative case study carried out at a Turkish university with four English language teachers aims to explore what teachers experience in the planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting phases of the lessons study process and what the implications of lesson study for teacher professional development can be. Data in this four-month study were gathered through observations, interviews, whole group discussions, and reflective reports. Findings revealed that lesson study had potential challenges and benefits for the professional development of teachers. The model poses challenges in finding a topic and research question, determining the lesson design and teaching style, making student thinking observable and analyzing qualitative data. On the other hand, it benefited teachers in terms of increasing their pedagogical content knowledge, reflectivity, research skills, collaboration, and collegiality. This study suggests that lesson study might be a good starting point for institutions wishing to adopt a more teacher-led, inquiry-driven and collaborative perspective for professional development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-133
Author(s):  
Mariam Anana

This study investigates the dichotomy of specialization in Literature and English language. In many primary and secondary schools in Nigeria, many teachers who teach Literature are the same teachers who teach English Language. This is responsible for lack of ultimate successes in academic performance, foundational establishment and progressive developments in Literature and English language. Set against the backdrop of the inseparability and non-specialization in individual subjects in question, the study examines the need for a dichotomy of specialization in English Language and Literature with a view to reducing the rate of errors and students’ failures in both subjects. Adopting the simple randomisation, the researcher uses selected primary and secondary schools in Lagos State as the case study; the paper raises four questions and these are: Can English Language teachers effectively teach poetic devices? Are segmental phonemes easily taught by Literature teachers? Can English Language teachers proficiently teach oral literature, literary criticism and non-African literature? Can Literature teachers competently teach stress and intonation? This research uses a qualitative approach and adopts The Speech Act Theory as its theoretical framework. Questionnaire of fifteen (15) items was used for data collection and the simple percentage was applied for data analysis. The researcher discovered that: It is not possible for English Languageteachers to effectively teach poetic devices. Segmental phonemes cannot be easily taught by Literature teachers. Students would lag behind in areas where teachers are not proficient in the subjects they teach. Also, it is not possible for a teacher to place equal emphasis on both English Language and Literature in classrooms. The study therefore recommends the need for a dichotomy of specialization in the two subjects so as to ensure effective teaching and learning of these subjects.


Author(s):  
Beril Yucel ◽  
Meral Güçeri

This chapter aims to present two action research case studies conducted in the English Language Schools of two universities in Turkey and discuss the long-term effects of this Professional Development activity on teachers' professional lives. In both of these studies, teachers were involved in collaborative action research. The first case study discusses a small scale collaborative Action Research project which targeted 16 English language teachers. Case Study Two, on the other hand, is a large scale project which explores 160 English language teachers' collaborative action research study. Detailed information about each case study is provided by highlighting the aims, institutional contexts, participant profiles, methodology used and findings. Teachers' perceptions about action research and the long-term impact of it on their professional growth are also discussed. Conclusion part highlights the factors that need to be taken into consideration while setting up collaborative action research projects in institutions. Finally, future research recommendations are made.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-388
Author(s):  
Jonathan Luke

ABSTRACT This article reports on a case study of English language learning in higher education, considering the impact of language policies embedded within a mobility scholarship programme on the practices of language teachers. Based on a larger ethnographic study following the experiences of several undergraduate members of one cohort of Brazil’s Science without Borders programme for students in science and technological fields, this article describes how several language teachers engaged with the power relations of the frequently shifting policy terrain of the programme. It concludes with a discussion of possibilities for teachers in similar situations who endeavour to take a critical approach to language teaching and explores some of the tactics they might employ against those policies which they see as incompatible with their practices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-114
Author(s):  
Reem Alkurdi ◽  
Sharif Alghazo

This study aims to investigate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ misbehaviours in class and their students’ reactions to these misbehaviours. Towards this end, 60 classroom observations of six English language teachers (N=10 each) were conducted at a public school in Jordan. Moreover, a survey was used to elicit 201 students’ reactions to their teachers’ misbehaviours by gauging their satisfaction with the teachers’ communication styles. Finally, the teacher participants were interviewed in order to more deeply understand why such misbehaviours occurred. Analysis of the data is grounded in the Expectancy Violation Theory. The results revealed that when the mean value of teachers’ communication style was more than 3 on a 5-point Likert Scale, the students often perceived their teachers as being positive, and the students compensated most of their teachers’ misbehaviours. However, when the mean value was below 3, the teachers were perceived as being negative, and the students reciprocated for most of the misbehaviours. The results also showed that the students are more tolerant towards their teachers’ misbehaviours as long as the teacher is perceived to be positive. The study provides insights into understanding the student-teacher relationship in EFL classes.


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