scholarly journals Promoting pre-service EFL teacher reflection: An investigation of reflection levels in Thai context

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosukhon Swatevacharkul
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Teaching Techniques ◽  
Teaching Improvement ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Professional Teaching ◽  
Program Data

Reflection is essential for the teaching practice course since it enhances life-long professional teaching development of the teachers. Capacity to reflect needs to be developed. The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the levels of learning reflection of pre-service EFL teachers at the end of the teaching practice course, and 2) to explore how reflection contributes to changes of the reflection levels.  This study took the form of an embedded experimental mixed methods research design using a close and open-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interview to collect data from 13 international students at an MA ELT program.  Data analysis was performed by a t-test and thematic content analysis.  The findings revealed that 1) on average, the level of Habitual Action, Understanding, and Critical Reflection at the beginning and the end of the course was not significantly different. However, the level of Reflection was significantly different at the end of the course.  Three themes: 1) Revision of past experiences for teaching improvement; 2) Thinking and writing skills development, and 3) Change of beliefs and teaching techniques were generated causing such reflection capacity changes.  Recommendations were provided for further research in this area.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the School-Based Teaching Practice in the Training of EFL Teachers by the English Department of the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 185-198
Author(s):  
Janez Skela ◽  
Urška Sešek ◽  
Mihaela Zavašnik
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Professional Identification ◽  
School Based ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Practice Teaching ◽  
Ongoing Evaluation

In the introduction, the article outlines the context of the practical EFL teacher training at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana and provides the general rationale for this component of teacher education programs. The article then focuses on the results of an ongoing evaluation of the school-based teaching practice program for future EFL teachers (which included over 500 participants) from its inception to the present. The instruments used in the evaluation were questionnaires filled in by all the participating students and their mentors, and essay reports written by the students after each of the two obligatory practice weeks. The quantitative and qualitative data complement each other and confirm that school-based teaching practice is of key importance for shaping future language teachers. The large majority of students and mentors judge their practice teaching experience as positive. An active encounter with their future professional reality is also a major milestone in the students’ process of professional identification. The study also points out some aspects of the school-based teaching practice which should be further developed. Unfortunately, as can be seen from the conclusion, the current promises / the reality of the Bologna reform do not provide much cause for optimism.

What Makes an Effective EFL Teacher From Saudi Preuniversity Students’ Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 002205742098870
Author(s):  
Ali Abbas Falah Alzubi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Teaching Effectiveness ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers

The successful output of language learning process should ensure effective inputs by the key figures (teacher, student, stakeholder, and curricula) of education. This study aimed to examine preuniversity students’ perceptions on the attributes of an effective English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher in Saudi Arabia. Mixed-methods research design was applied to a sample of 231 students (135 males & 96 females) enrolled in the preparatory year program at a Saudi public university in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using two instruments: 5-point Likert-type scale and open-ended questions. The students’ responses on the closed questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive analysis and independent t test, whereas the data from the open-ended questions were analyzed by chi-square (cross tabulation) and MS Excel using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that 88% of Saudi preuniversity students agree on the high importance of the attributes of personality, methodology, and language knowledge that make an effective EFL teacher. Cultural awareness is of significance to the effectiveness of EFL teacher. However, gender was reported as an insignificant variable to the effectiveness of EFL teacher. In addition, fame, age, and country of EFL teachers did not reveal any connection to the teaching effectiveness of EFL teachers. Recommendations, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Collaborative reflection on shared journal writing to foster EFL teacher CPD

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-281
Author(s):  
Summaya W. Elhussain ◽  
Aisha Y. Khoja
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Continuous Professional Development ◽  
Proximal Development ◽  
Collaborative Reflection ◽  
Efl Context ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

Despite the importance of Continuous Professional Development in the EFL context, a limited research has been done on EFL teachers’ collaborative reflection on teaching. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of teachers’ reflection that is fostered and enhanced by the collaborative written exploration of practice using an online-shared teacher journal in a Saudi tertiary context. To achieve this, the study adopted three theoretical foundations: the characteristics of the online teacher professional development, Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development and the constructivist theory of learning. The level of reflection in the teachers’ journal is analysed by using the discourse semantics approach, namely, systemic functional linguistics. Besides, a semi-structured interview is used to collect the qualitative data. They strongly suggest that maintaining an online-shared teachers’ journal will support and augment teachers’ reflection, enhance knowledge and improve teaching performance. Keywords: Continuous professional development, reflective practice.

scholarly journals Enhancing Pre-Service EFL Teachers’ Teaching Skill through Teacher Training: A Case Study of a University in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Anamai Damnet
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers

EFL teacher training for pre-service teachers plays a vital role in second language teacher education (SLTE). In Thailand, pre-service EFL teacher training benefits in helping student-teachers gain confidence before going to their practicum. This study investigates the effects of the pre-service EFL teacher training in a university in Thailand. The pre-service teachers’ perceptions towards the EFL training were also examined. Participants were 30 pre-service teachers currently studying in English Learning Management Program in the university at the research site. Research method applied training program evaluation (Owen & Rogers, 1999), and a 24-hour EFL training program was implemented. An experienced trainer in EFL was invited to provide the EFL training during the whole training course. Data collection gained was from: 1) an evaluation form, 2) a questionnaire, and 3) a student reflection sheet. Data analysis employed percentage, means, and S.D. for quantitative whereas grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1999) was applied for qualitative data. Three major findings revealed that: 1) the effects of the pre-service EFL teacher training was very high; 2) the participants showed changes in all areas of EFL knowledge and experience provided after the training; and 3) the participants viewed five factors which included training contents, knowledge and experience, training activities, training process, and the trainer that affected the training. However, the findings indicated that the critical problem of the study was time limitation of the training course. This study has shed light on the significant role of EFL training for pre-service EFL teachers before their practicum as the findings showed positive change in their motivation and attitude for their teaching practice.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNICATIVE AND PARTICIPATORY APPROACH IN TEACHING ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-244
Author(s):  
Naela Hidayatul Mukaromah
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Teaching Techniques ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Teaching Learning

Teaching English as Foreign Language (EFL) is quite challenging because teachers should prepare materials properly as well as the teaching technique that will be applied in EFL classroom. The teachers should also pay attention to the communicative purpose of teaching EFL. This study investigates the application of teaching techniques and approaches done by EFL teacher. The researcher observed the teaching techniques applied by the lecturer as well as teaching learning process experienced by college students in English for Business classroom. Based on the research findings and discussions, it can be inferred that the lecturer applied Communicative Language Teaching and Participatory Technique which are involved in two different approaches in his class of English for Business. The two approaches are communicative and participatory approaches. Those two are applicable and appropriate to be conducted in the classroom of students in higher education. Further, it is suggested for EFL teachers to consider the classroom condition in deciding what teaching techniques to be applied. Further, the communicative purpose of language learning is supposed to be the main consideration for the teachers since the students are supposed to use English language communicatively in context.

scholarly journals Indonesian EFL Teacher�s Ideologies of Lingua Culture

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (01) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Ruly Morganna
Keyword(s):  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Intercultural Communicative Competence ◽  
Authentic Materials ◽  
Instrumental Case Study ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Cultural Teaching ◽  
Multiple Cultures ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Efl Learning

This study aimed at investigating the interpretation of lingua-culture and its depiction in EFL learning based on Indonesian EFL teachers ideologies. This study used an instrumental case study that purposefully engaged ten Indonesian EFL teachers as the participants. A semi-structured interview was assigned to garner the expected data. This study revealed that eight teachers, ones holding an essentialist ideology, interpreted lingua-culture as one language with one culture and depicted it into several characteristics including becoming native-like English users as the goal, using natively authentic materials, framing communicative competence theory for use, and applying indirect cultural teaching. On the contrary, the rest two teachers, ones adhering to a non-essentialist ideology, interpreted lingua-culture as one language with multiple cultures and depicted it into some characteristics extending to becoming intercultural English users as the goal, using cross-cultural non-native English materials, framing intercultural communicative competence for use, and executing direct cultural teaching. As the implication, anchored in the nature of multiculturality of Indonesian students, this study promotes EFL teachers to hold the non-essentialist ideology for its sustainability. This study offers two conceptual frameworks vis-a-vis EFL lingua-culture ideologies. Of the two, there is only one scientifically considered ideal to fit the multiculturality of Indonesian students.Keywords -EFL learning ideology, lingua-culture, multiculturality

School Leaders’ Practice of the Ethics of Educational Leadership to Make Decisions

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-34
Author(s):  
Mohammed Assiri
Keyword(s):  
Educational Leadership ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Common Factors ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
School Year ◽  
Ethical Decisions

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the extent to which school leaders practice the ethics of educational leadership to make decisions. A mixed-methods research design was used in this study. The quantitative data of this study were obtained from the participation of 260 teachers, and the qualitative data of this study were collected from nine school leaders. The questionnaire and the semi-structured interview were used to collect the data. The study was conducted during the school year of 2017-2018. The study found that the overall extent to which school leaders practice the ethics of educational leadership to make decisions was classified as “always occurs". The findings showed that there were statistically significant differences between participants with different gender and school levels on the overall and all dimensions of the extent to which school leaders practice the ethics of educational leadership to make decisions, while there were not statistically significant differences between the groups of the participants with different teaching experience. The qualitative findings provided some common factors that influence school leaders’ practice to making ethical decisions. These factors were explained based on two concepts including management knowledge and leadership skills as well as the context of school's culture.

Jordanian EFL Teachers' Perceptions of the Appropriateness of Action Pack Textbooks

2006 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
pp. 33-56
Author(s):  
Ali Ahmad Al-Barakat ◽  
Ruba Fahmi Bataineh ◽  
Samih Mahmoud Al-Karasneh ◽  
Rula Fahmi Bataineh
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Textbook Series ◽  
Assessment Tasks ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Age Appropriate

This study investigates the appropriateness of the Action Pack Textbook Series (APTS) currently taught in the first four primary stage classes in Jordanian public schools. An evaluation checklist, compiled from the literature, and a semi-structured interview were used to evaluate the content, layout, assessment tasks, teacher's book and the availability of supplementary materials. The findings support the following conclusions: Poor ratings were minimal; APTS is adaptable to the needs of both teachers and pupils and provides a broad range of resources that can be selectively integrated into the curriculum; APTS contains modes of instruction that are developmentally appropriate for a wide range of learners; APTS instructional materials are interesting, engaging and effective for the target learners; the format of the teacher's book is easy to follow, the directions for implementing activities are clear, and the teacher's book itself is flexible and allows teachers to choose from a variety of activities to use with their pupils; for the most part, non-text materials are used appropriately to promote learning; and, overall, the materials for the pupils are well written, age-appropriate and compelling in content.

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