FLIPPING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOM IN HIGHER EDUCATION WITH MOOCS

Author(s):  
Ana Gimeno
JET ADI BUANA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170
Author(s):  
Irfan Rifai ◽  
Salim Nabhan

This study is focused on getting an understanding of the students and teachers perceptions of teaching methods use in EFL classroom. More importantly, this research is aimed at bringing to light how students and teachers in the higher education English language classroom help provide new meanings of how different methods are used in the classrooms. To make sense of their perceptions of teaching methods, we focus on four individual narrative interviews, classroom observations and two focus group discussions. The data findings show that a particular teaching method, such as students’ presentation, based on the students’ view, is due to that lecturers are not quite confident to speak in front of the classroom. The students assert that the lecturers seem are not quite well prepared to teach, so that the students are asked to make presentation in front of the classroom. This, based on the students’ view is about spending much time for the students to speak rather than their lecturers’ do. In addition, the data findings illustrate that the traditional methods used in the classroom such as classroom presentation and group discussion are needed to be modified by considering the employment of technology to mediate the acquisition of 21st century skills. In addition, the findings suggest that the lecturers’ experience during their careers and study deeply influence the way they conduct teaching methods in the classroom. Moreover, the data findings indicate that identity and the self- image are prevalent in shaping the teaching methods the lecturers are used in the classroom. This study indicates that students and lecturers have different view point with regards to the teaching methods use in the higher education language classroom. It is suggested, therefore, that the use of teaching methods in the classroom should ideally involve the students’ view point to generate more effective and future goals oriented.


Author(s):  
Jonathan Sharp

This paper presents the latest phase in an ongoing project to develop and widen the scope of drama-based classes in the practical language section of a German university English department. A brief overview of the use of literature in the (English) language classroom is given, with examples of some recent models, before turning to a consideration of practical drama-based approaches in Shakespeare education. This forms the background against which the main report on practice is presented. The Sprachpraxis section of the University of Tübingen English Department is briefly introduced before the focus shifts to the most recent example: a course on Shakespeare’s Macbeth involving drama-based methods. Course design, assessment and literature choice are discussed, before the pre- and post-course expectations and impressions are explored using data gathered from student questionnaires and teacher diary entries. Based on this analysis, initial outcomes are suggested for the continued progress of drama-based elements in the Sprachpraxis curriculum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 527
Author(s):  
Mahanim Hasnan ◽  
Mohaida Mohin

Abstract: The wide implementation of the Learning Management System (LMS) in many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia is seen as strong support for eLearning. Many LMS have been developed and adopted based on their features, usability and functionality that can offer benefits for the whole faculty of the institution. In Malaysia’s Polytechnic, LMS-CIDOS is a platform used for eLearning. A blended learning platform has become a need for many lecturers. This study investigated the perception of English Language lecturers in utilising the platform to implement eLearning in language classroom teaching. This study explored the issues and challenges in implementing the blended learning concept in Muadzam Shah Polytechnic. The lecturers’ perceptions in this study were measured using the Instructors LMS Acceptance Model proposed by Kamla and Hafedh (2010), which was modified from the original Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis (1989). Seven experienced English Language Lecturers were also interviewed using the semi-structured interview approach. Among the themes that emerged through the thematic analysis was the reliability of hardware, software & internet connection, design and content organisation, temporary record-keeping, complex system structure, inadequate time and work management, insufficient training and support from the institution, the need for teaching guide from the expert, lack of skills to encourage active communication using LMS-CIDOS and students’ lack of digital literacy skills. The findings of this study offer an expanded understanding of LMS acceptance among higher education instructors and a reference for related areas of study.    Keywords: Blended learning, e-learning, LMS-CIDOS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (especial) ◽  
pp. 183-199
Author(s):  
Denise Scheyerl ◽  
Flavius Almeida Dos Anjos

This paper is about the need to rethink the English language teaching in higher education. The objective is to show how the difficulty to learn this language may be diagnosed through educational research. Under the light of Applied Linguistics and Critical Pedagogy, it develops reasoning to understand that the offer of the English language per se, with the mere presumption of inclusion, may not bring the desired results. To offer the English language it is necessary to plan it, taking into account the logistic factors. When they are disregarded, learners react with negative attitudes, which may hinder learning. This, somehow, signals the need of language politics which redirect the English teaching/learning logistic. This paper aims at making a reflection in this sense, presenting outcomes of an ethnographic research, developed with some undergraduate students, in Brazil, whose data showed negative attitudes toward some logistic factors, in the English language classroom. Thus, this text is aligned with the tenets of language politics, taking into account the logistic factors to reach better results in the English language classroom.  


RELC Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-285
Author(s):  
Marcelyn Oostendorp

The transformation of higher education has been a pressing concern for policy makers and practitioners. This article provides examples of the transformative potential of assessments designed within the framework of a multi-literacies and heteroglossic pedagogy in an Applied English Language course at a South African university. These assessments, which used multiple semiotic resources and created spaces for contesting voices, allowed students to bring their own expertise into the learning experience. This, it is argued, ultimately led to enhanced student voice and agency, two crucial components in transformative practices.


Author(s):  
Л. Е. Бєловецька

The problem of external independent evaluation in English for admission Master`s degree programs in Ukraine is considered in the article. The perspective for further improvement of English teaching and learning standards at Ukrainian universities has been found. The correspondence to the CEFR basic levels and English proficiency has been identified. Conceptual Principles of State Policy on the Development of English in the Field of Higher Education are considered. The study included 1546 participants. The age of students, who studied to gain the first higher education, was between 17 and 20. The students were not familiar with the structure of External Independent Evaluation and they have never passed it. The research was carried out during the period 2018–2019. The relevance of English language competence in the professional context is noted emphasized as a key point of the presented research. The necessity to provide a sufficient competitive level for Ukrainian graduates through improving correspondent English language training has been considered. The study is based on a study of reports by British experts and contemporary scientific publications presented international researchers have focused on the problems of internationalization and perspectives for Ukrainian universities in the English language dimension. The relevance of studying and adaptation of the UK higher education successful practice has been highlighted. The problems and potential ways of improving students` English language proficiency in the given context are identified. In particular, the study contains important recommendations regarding the number of contact hours and the required levels of English proficiency for the main groups of participants in the educational process in higher education according to international standards.


Author(s):  
Erda Wati Bakar

The Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) has become the standard used to describe and evaluate students’ command of a second or foreign language. It is an internationally acknowledged standard language proficiency framework which many countries have adopted such as China, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan. Malaysia Ministry of Education is aware and realise the need for the current English language curriculum to be validated as to reach the international standard as prescribed by the CEFR. The implementation of CEFR has begun at primary and secondary level since 2017 and now higher education institutions are urged to align their English Language Curriculum to CEFR as part of preparation in receiving students who have been taught using CEFR-aligned curriculum at schools by year 2022. This critical reflection article elucidates the meticulous processes that we have embarked on in re-aligning our English Language Curriculum to the standard and requirements of CEFR. The paper concludes with a remark that the alignment of the English curriculum at the university needs full support from the management in ensuring that all the stakeholders are fully prepared, informed and familiar with the framework.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Draženka Molnar ◽  
Gabrijela Crnjak

Abstract Over the past few decades the interest in communication apprehension has increased among researchers and teachers in the field of second/foreign language acquisition (SLA/FLA).The present paper is set between the macro perspective of the social-psychological period - by giving a general view of communication apprehension (CA) - and the situation-specific period - by taking into consideration the immediate educational context.The paper focuses on the phenomenon of communication apprehension among the Croatian university level students in a foreign language classroom setting.In particular, it investigates if there is a difference in the total level of communication apprehension between undergraduate and graduate students of English Language and Literature.Furthermore, it explores whether there is a relationship between different aspects of communication apprehension and the total level of communication apprehension and which background factor is the best predictor of communication apprehension among the students.The first part of the paper brings a theoretical background of the main concepts in this research, whereas the second part of the paper reports on the research itself.Two sets of instruments, questionnaires completed by the students and in-depth interviews conducted among the teachers, were used for the purpose of this study.The results show that the year of study is not a significant predictor of the communication apprehension level which students experience.Among all variables included in the analysis, the only significant predictors of communication apprehension are evaluations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-134
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahmad ◽  
Aleem Shakir ◽  
Ali Raza Siddique

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the amount and type of teacher-talk, frequently asked questions and feedback provided by the teacher on learners’ performance in a language classroom. For this purpose, a lecture was recorded from a secondary level English language classroom of a public sector school and interpreted in the light of teacher-student interaction and classroom management model by David Nunan. Results revealed that the maximum amount of time (i.e. 80.1%) was consumed by the teacher which was appropriate. However, certain deviations from classroom management principles were also observed regarding frequently asked questions (i.e. 50% of the total questions were elicitation questions) and the feedback (it was ‘romantic’ in nature). Moreover, wait-time was sufficient but it was of no use to the learners. The study concluded that classroom practices did not conform to the principles therefore, it proposed to ask questions and provide feedback appropriately.


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