scholarly journals FAILURE TO ACHIEVE DEVELOPMENT IN SPITE OF A SERIES OF REFORMS: WHAT IS WRONG WITH EFL TEACHERS’ ENGLISH PROFICIENCY?

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Tadesse Birbirso
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Cascade Model ◽  
Working Environments ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Policy Problems

This study focuses on one of Ethiopia’s unfading education policy problems, namely the poor English proficiency of EFL teachers and their students. Qualitative data was collected through unstructured questionnaire and participant observation from twenty-five randomly selected highly experienced EFL schoolteachers and tertiary EFL educators coming from all corners of the country. Relevant archival data were also collected. Besides, four expert informants were also involved as critical consultants for the study. The data was analyzed qualitatively with the reflective and iterative constant comparative method. The results show that for Ethiopian EFL teachers, the problem of the so-called “poor” English proficiency is actually an outcome or a result of poor socio-educational preconditions that inhibited their holistic development as dignified, full-fledged professional citizens. Particularly, meager living conditions, alienating working environments, and a totalitarian policy and practices known as “Cascade Model” are the chief stumbling blocks to their development as fully proficient EFL teachers.

The Experience of Occupational Disruption among Student Musicians

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon McCready ◽  
Denise Reid
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Major Occupation

Student musicians frequently need to take breaks from playing their instruments because of physical playing-related injuries, yet little is known about their experiences with these occupational disruptions. We conducted a qualitative study that explored student musicians' lived experiences with unplanned disruptions stemming from engagement in their major occupation of playing an instrument. In-depth interviews with seven student musicians who attended either a special arts high school or a university were conducted. Consistent with a grounded theory approach to qualitative research, the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis was implemented. A major finding related to the theme of “being and becoming,” where student musicians expressed a strong sense of belonging to a group of other like musicians who they learned from, relied on for support, and created music with. Another theme was motivation to excel, where students expressed a strong desire and motivation to improve and master their instrument. Occupational tensions and pressures emerged as another theme. Students were aware of the need to practice and the need to care for their bodies. A constant negotiation was required in which students struggled to find a good balance between the need to practice and to respect their bodies while maintaining an identity of a musician. These findings are discussed in relation to how health care providers and educators need to understand the demands and stresses associated with playing an instrument so that they can better support these young musicians.

scholarly journals Enriching Students’ Vocabulary Mastery Using Graphic Organizers

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Syaifudin Latif Darmawan
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Graphic Organizers ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Classroom Situation ◽  
Instructional Process ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Class B ◽  
Class C

This action research is carried out to (1) identify whether graphic organizers enrich student’s vocabulary mastery; and (2) to describe the classroom situation when graphic organizers are employed in instructional process of vocabulary.The research is conducted in two cycles from March to May 2016/2017 in the eight years of SMP Muhammadiyah Sekampung, East lampung. The procedure of the research consists of identifying the problem, planning the action, implementing the action, observing the action, and reflecting the result of the research. Qualitative data are collected through interview, observation, questionnaire, and research diary. Quantitative data are collected through test. To analyze qualitative data, the researcher used constant comparative method. It consists of four steps: (1) comparing incidents applicable to each category; (2) Integrating categories and their properties; (3) delimiting the theory; (4) Writing the theory. Meanwhile, to analyze quantitative data, the researcher employed descriptive statistic.   The result of the research shows that using graphic organizers can enrich students’ vocabulary mastery and classroom situation. The improvement on students’ vocabulary included; a) the students are able to speak English; b) the students are able to understand the meaning of the text as they have a lot of vocabularies. The improvement of the classroom situation; (a) students come on time in the class (b) students are more motivated to join the class (c) Students pay more attention in the instructional process (d) students’ participation in responding the questions are high.

scholarly journals Applying Reciprocal Teaching to Overcome Learners' Barriers to Effective Listening

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesti Rokhaniyah
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Reciprocal Teaching ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Mean

The research is the action research aimed at investigating to what extent Reciprocal Teaching overcomes learners’ barriers to effective listening and identifying the situation of teaching and learning when Reciprocal Teaching is employed. Several techniques: interview, observation, and test were applied to obtain the data. The mean score of two raters was calculated to derive the qualitative data; Constant Comparative Method was implemented to analyze the qualitative data. The research result showed Reciprocal Teaching implementation could overcome learners’ barrier to listening including detecting the keywords; recognizing grammar and vocabularies; and discriminating distinctive sounds. The enhancement of Reciprocal Teaching illustrated form mean score of pre-test was 37.4; post-test 1 was 70.4; and post-test 2 was 81. The use of Reciprocal Teaching also optimized the class situation: learners felt encouraged to be receptive to communication in active listening; they got freedom to mind their ideas; and they were more engaged to do mutual task. Considering the finding of the research, the lectures are recommended to use this research for guiding heir learners to solve listening barrier through Reciprocal Teaching.

scholarly journals The factors affecting the adjustment of a group of turkish dual diploma students in the usa: english proficiency and cultural differences

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgur Yildirim
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
State University ◽  
Adjustment Problems ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
The Usa

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the adjustment problems experienced by a group of Turkish dual diploma students studying in the USA. The participants of the study were 18 undergraduate Turkish students studying in the Environmental Engineering and Civil Engineering dual diploma programs offered by a state university in New York and a state university in Turkey. The data were collected by using 15 interview questions and were analyzed by using constant comparative method in which emerging categories were identified in the interview transcripts and themes were developed from those categories. Analysis of the data indicated six major categories of the factors affecting the adjustment problems: differences in educational systems of the two institutions; English proficiency; the unique design of the program; cultural differences between the two countries; tendency to form and stay in cliques of dual diploma students; and orientation.

scholarly journals Facilitators and Barriers to Wearing Hand Orthoses by Adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Mixed Methods Study Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-475
Author(s):  
S.L.S. Houwen-van Opstal ◽  
Y.M.E.M. van den Elzen ◽  
M. Jansen ◽  
M.A.A.P. Willemsen ◽  
E.H.C. Cup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Background: To retard shortening of finger flexors in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), hand orthoses are prescribed. However, many patients do not wear the orthoses regularly. To optimize orthotic interventions, we need insight into the factors influencing compliance. Objective: To evaluate the compliance regarding hand orthoses in an adult DMD population and to explore experiences and perceptions of DMD patients wearing orthoses, and of their caregivers. Methods: Mixed methods observational study, combining quantitative and qualitative data from medical charts combined with qualitative semi-structured interviews using a constant comparative method and a short validated questionnaire (D-QUEST). Results: 65 medical charts were analyzed. 48 patients were assessed as needing hand orthoses, of whom 37.5 % were compliant. Qualitative data analyses revealed (1) motivation: preservation of hand function; (2) barriers: discomfort and impediments; (3) facilitators: good fit and personalized wearing schedule; (4) fitting process: satisfactory, but patients do not readily seek help when barriers appear. Conclusions: Patients are motivated to wear hand orthoses, but often discontinue use because of orthosis-and disease-specific barriers. The identification of these barriers leads to practical and feasible recommendations concerning the orthoses and the fitting process, such as less rigid material, preservation of some function while wearing the orthoses, and fixed evaluation points. The findings were confirmed by the D-QUEST.

scholarly journals An Exploration of Iranian EFL Teachers’ Perceptions on the Globalization and Hegemony of English

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parvin Safari ◽  
Seyyed Ayatollah Razmjoo
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Cultural Imperialism ◽  
The West ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
English Speaking

Globalization as an increasingly influencing force has led English language to become the lingua franca of the world. However, the global spread of English is considered as linguistic and cultural imperialism of English speaking countries to exert their dominance, power, culture, ideology and language over the periphery countries. The devastating consequence of this hegemony, according to Canagarajah (2005) can be putting learners in danger of losing their languages, cultures, and identities, giving rise to the devaluation of their local knowledge and cultures. Here, the researchers administ interview to explore thirty-seven experienced Iranian EFL teachers’ (18males/19females) perceptions on English globalization and its hegemony, who were selected based on purposive sampling. The researchers’ adoption of Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) constant comparative method revealed that although Iranian English teachers admitted globalization as an inevitable reality and English language as a tool in the service of globalization to smooth communication among people, they took up a counter-hegemonic stance and resistance towards the values associated with its use. They also suggested some anti-hegemonic strategies to de-colonize the power, culture, values, and ideologies of the West which tries to marginalize other countries and people.

scholarly journals Understanding Students’ Experiences in Their Own Words: Moving Beyond a Basic Analysis of Student Engagement

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-80
Author(s):  
Arch Wong
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Related Data ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Student Focus ◽  
Theological School ◽  
School Survey

This study examines the lived experiences of students as expressed in their reflections on their experiences of learning at Ambrose University in Calgary. It uses quantitative outcomes-related data from the National Survey of Student Engagement and the Theological School Survey of Student Engagement to illuminate qualitative data obtained through student focus groups. The analysis of the qualitative data was conducted using the constant comparative method developed by Glaser and Strauss. The study concludes with recommendations for improving student engagement.  

scholarly journals Consistencies and Inconsistencies Between Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tamimy
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Practices ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Private Language ◽  
Educational Management ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Efl Teachers

This instrumental-comparative qualitative case study attempts to investigate the relations between teachers’ beliefs and classroom practices. For this purpose, five Iranian EFL teachers from three private language institutes were interviewed for their beliefs. Then, their classroom practices were observed and videotaped. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method around common categories, which were identified as distinctive features of teachers’ beliefs; these same themes were then compared with their practices. The data for each case were also compared with the others so that possible causes of the inconsistencies could be traced. Based on the causes, some suggestions for teacher education and educational management are made.

scholarly journals OPTIMIZING LISTENING SKILLS TO IMPROVE THE TOEFL SCORE OF STAIN PEKALONGAN STUDENTS

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Riskiana .
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Stress Patterns ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Reduced Forms

The fact that the students have problems in the three micro-skills of listening namely recognizing the English stress patterns, the reduced forms of words, and words boundaries and that the teachers never teach the students how to listen have made them get low TOEFL scores on listening section. This research aims at: (1) finding out whether optimizing listening skills can improve the students’ TOEFL scores on listening; and (2) describing the class situation during the teaching of toefl listening by optimizing listening skills. This action research is conducted in two cycles each of which is divided into planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. There are two kinds of data. The qualitative data taken from observation, interview, and questionnaire are analyzed by using Constant Comparative Method. The quantitative data taken from the pre-test in the pre-research, post-test in cycle 1, and post-test in cycle 2 are analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The subjects of the research are the STAIN Pekalongan students taking English 3 class, the TOEFL Preparation Class, in the Academic Year 2014/2015. The result of the research shows that: (1) teaching toefl listening section by optimizing listening skills is able to overcome the students’ problems in the three micro-skills of listening and consequently improve the students’ TOEFL scores on listening. Their average scores improve from 101 in the pre-test to 118 in the post-test of cycle 1 and 129 in the post-test of cycle 2; (2) The class situation is attractive and the students are actively involved in the various activities done during the teaching and learning process. In line with the success of optimizing listening skills in teaching TOEFL listening, it is suggested that teachers should examine their students’ listening problems so as to be able to teach them what they need in listening to English.

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