scholarly journals “Students Are My Life”: Reflections of One Novice EFL Teacher in Central America

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S.C. Farrell ◽  
Vanja Avejic
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Second Language Teachers ◽  
Pratique Reflexive ◽  
Langue Seconde

This paper presents a case study that examined the principles and practices of one novice English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher at a prominent English language institution in Central America. More specifically, this qualitative study sought to contribute to the discussion of the perceived interdependent influences of EFL teachers’ thoughts and behaviours through five stages of self-reflection using Farrell’s (2015) framework for reflective practice. Overall, the findings suggest that the teacher’s stated principles related to her philosophy, beliefs, and theory converge with her classroom practices; however, areas of divergence were also observed. Recommendations are included on the usefulness of the framework for ESL (English as a second language) teachers when reflecting on their practice. Cet article présente une étude de cas qui s’est penchée sur les principes et les pratiques d’une enseignante d’anglais langue étrangère (ALE) débutante dans une institution de langue anglaise renommée d’Amérique centrale. Plus particulièrement, cette étude qualitative a cherché à contribuer à la discussion sur les influences interdépendantes perçues des pensées et des comportements des enseignants d’ALE à travers cinq étapes d’autoréflexion à l’aide du cadre de pratique réflexive de Farrell (2015). Dans l’ensemble, les résultats suggèrent que les principes énoncés de l’enseignante liés à sa philosophie, à ses croyances et à sa théorie convergent vers ses pratiques en salle de classe; cependant, on a aussi observé des zones de divergence. Nous avons inclus des recommandations sur l’utilité du cadre pour les enseignants d’ALS (anglais langue seconde) lorsqu’ils réfléchissent à leur pratique.

scholarly journals “COVID-19 is an Opportunity to Rediscover Ourselves”: Reflections of a Novice EFL Teacher in Central America

RELC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003368822098177
Author(s):  
Thomas S C Farrell ◽  
Connie Stanclik
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Central America ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Efl Teachers

This article presents a case study that examined the principles and practices of one novice English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher at a prominent English language institution in Central America. This qualitative study sought to contribute to the discussion of the perceived interdependent influences of EFL teachers’ thoughts, identities, and behaviors through five stages of self-reflection in Farrell’s framework for reflective practice. The EFL teacher engaged in conscious reflection to subject their beliefs to critical analysis and interpretation expressed through their philosophy, principles, theory, practice, and beyond practice. Overall, the findings confirm that reflections in all five stages are connected to several common themes, but simultaneously reveal a complex relationship between the teacher’s stated principles and actual practice. The discussion explores potential reasons for convergence and divergence in teachers’ beliefs and classroom actions, concluding that the results correlate with previous research in the field of language education and teacher reflection.

scholarly journals Teachers’ Misbehaviours in Class and Students’ Reactions: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-114
Author(s):  
Reem Alkurdi ◽  
Sharif Alghazo
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Student Teacher Relationship ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
The Mean

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.

scholarly journals Perceived View of Teachers Towards Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) (Form Three Assessment) English Language: A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Fatima Sabbir
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
English As Second Language ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Second Language Teachers ◽  
The Common

The Standard-Based Curriculum for Secondary Schools (KSSM) was introduced in secondary schools in 2017. Parallel to the changes in the curriculum, Malaysian ESL (English as a Second Language) was revised to align with the Common European Framework of References (CEFR). Similarly, there is a change in the assessment of form three students. Therefore, this study aims to identify the perceived view of teachers towards ‘Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga’ (PT3) (Form Three Assessment) English Language. A qualitative research method using snowball sampling was employed in obtaining the data. This study is designed based on a case study approach. Five TESL (Teaching English as Second Language) teachers were interviewed by using open-ended questions to ascertain their perceived view on the PT3 English language. The findings show that the teachers were generally positive on the CEFR-aligned PT3 English language. However, the teachers indicated that the teaching of CEFR-aligned English language in an ESL classroom must be tailored by the teachers according to the proficiency levels of the students. This study also illustrated that teachers faced challenges of facilities and relevant materials in assessing the students. Further research should employ a larger sample size to obtain a broader perspective on the perceived view of teachers towards PT3 English Language.   KEYWORDS: Form Three Assessment (PT3), Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3), Perception of teachers.

Technology and Innovation in China's English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Classrooms

2017 ◽  
pp. 163-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey Medlock Paul ◽  
Hong Juan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Language Curriculum ◽  
Technology And Innovation ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Efl Classrooms

This chapter will explore issues around technology and innovation in China's English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. In this chapter, the authors (a) discuss China's English language curriculum, (b) demonstrate the issues Chinese EFL teachers face with task-based language instruction, (c) explore how technology is currently used in EFL classrooms, and (d) examine how technology and innovative teaching methods can assist Chinese EFL teachers with integrating a communicative language approach in their classrooms. This chapter will also provide a case study of how one Chinese EFL teacher used technology to innovate EFL instruction.

scholarly journals Moroccan EFL Teachers’ Participation, Preferences, and Perceived Effectiveness of Online Professional Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 62-74
Author(s):  
Oussama Moussaoui
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
English Language ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Online Professional Development ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers

The present study aims at investigating Moroccan EFL teachers’ participation in and attitude towards online professional development. It seeks also to examine teachers’ perceived effectiveness of online professional development by using a cross-sectional survey design. This design was supported with a questionnaire and a scale to collect data from a sample of (103) Moroccan EFL teacher. The data elicited was coded and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results of the study reveal that teachers in the Moroccan context are not fully engaged in online professional and they still exhibit higher preference to traditional forms of professional development. In addition, the results report that teachers perceive that online professional development provides effective content that is sustainable and access flexible. However, teachers also inform that online professional development is not active and collaborative in nature. Based on the results of this study a number of informed recommendations are directed to Moroccan English language teachers and policymakers.

scholarly journals Implications of Lesson Study for Tertiary-Level EFL Teachers’ Professional Development: A Case Study From Turkey

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110237
Author(s):  
İlknur Bayram ◽  
Fatma Bıkmaz
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
English Language ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Student Thinking ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Starting Point

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.

scholarly journals Professional development of English language teachers in Malang, Indonesia: Institutional and individual perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anik Nunuk Wulyani
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
The Individual

<p>Two important areas of professional development for teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in Indonesia identified in the 2003 Law on National Education System and 2005 Law on Teachers and Lecturers are disciplinary knowledge and ICT skills. The present thesis investigates institutional and individual aspects of EFL teacher professional development (TPD) in Indonesia in relation to the development of these two areas of expertise.  Three studies were carried out. The first study measured Indonesian EFL teachers’ target language (English) proficiency as a core component of their professional knowledge and how it is maintained and developed by the teachers. EFL teachers’ language proficiency in this study was operationalised as their lexical, reading and writing proficiency and measured using the Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT), IELTS-like reading comprehension test and IELTS-like academic writing test, respectively. The results showed that the teachers’ length of service correlated negatively with their knowledge of academic vocabulary, as well as reading and writing proficiency, indicating issues with the outcomes of the TPD in this area. To triangulate the test results, teacher perceptions data were also gathered using questionnaires and interviews. It was found that the EFL teachers tended to overestimate their own overall English language proficiency.  The second study used a longitudinal blogging activity with the EFL teachers as a form of personal professional development that targeted their English language and ICT skills while reflecting on topics related to their professional (teaching) activities. Qualitative analysis of the blog entries of three EFL teachers suggested that the individual teachers’ blogging, critical reading and reflective writing skills were very uneven. Interviews with nine teachers and 11 educational stakeholders were then conducted to understand their views on blogging as a form of professional development. The results revealed that the perceived obstacles and drawbacks outweighed the perceived benefits of blogging as a form of personal professional development.  The third study examined Indonesian national TPD policy documents, how these policies were translated into local professional development programmes in Malang district. It was found that the needs for EFL teachers to maintain their English proficiency and ICT skills were only partially addressed in TPD policy and implementation. In addition, the interviewed teachers and stakeholders perceived the definitions, goals, administration, evaluation, benefits, and challenges of TPD differently.  Taken as a whole, the present findings show that institutional implementation of TPD policies in Indonesia needs to better target individual EFL teachers’ English proficiency and ICT skills, and that opportunities for better professional development need to be sought at both personal and institutional levels. At the individual level, self-motivation to continue learning is crucial for English language teachers who want to keep up with change and innovation in English language teaching. At the institutional level, needs analyses and environmental analyses are essential in designing programs for maintaining and developing teacher professional competency.</p>

scholarly journals A study of EFL teachers’ classroom grading practices in secondary schools and private institutes: a mixed methods approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Nowruzi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Motivation Enhancement ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Internal And External Factors

AbstractThis explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed at exploring the grading decision-making of Iranian English language teachers in terms of the factors used when assigning grades and the rationales behind using those factors. In the preliminary quantitative phase, a questionnaire was issued to 300 secondary school and private institute EFL teachers. Quantitative data analyses showed that teachers attached the most weight to nonachievement factors such as effort, improvement, ability, and participation when determining grades. Next, follow-up interviews were conducted with 30 teachers from the initial sample. The analyses of interview data revealed that teachers assigned hodgepodge grades on five major grounds of learning encouragement, motivation enhancement, lack of specific grading criteria, pressure from stakeholders, and flexibility in grading. Data integration indicated that teacher grading decision-making was influenced by both internal and external factors, with adverse consequences for grading validity. Eliciting explanations for the use of specific grading criteria from the same teachers who utilized those criteria in their grading in a single study added to the novelty of this research. Implications for grade interpretation and use, accountability in classroom assessment, and teachers’ professional development are discussed.

scholarly journals The Dichotomy of Specialization: Is a Literature Teacher Necessarily a Language Teacher?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-133
Author(s):  
Mariam Anana
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Literary Criticism ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Oral Literature ◽  
Language And Literature ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Effective Teaching And Learning

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.

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