EFL Teachers’ Development of Reflective Practice Through Knowledge Sharing in a Reflective Focus Group

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Farahian ◽  
Farshad Parhamnia
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Constructive Feedback ◽  
Efl Teachers

Abstract Development in any educational system highly depends on teachers’ qualities. Among other qualities, one of the much-needed teachers’ qualities is reflection. As such, the present study examined EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers’ perceptions towards knowledge sharing in a reflective focus group and the improvement of their reflective practice through knowledge sharing in a focus group. In addition, the study sought the benefits and challenges to knowledge sharing in a reflective focus group. The results indicated that the participants did not have a positive attitude towards knowledge sharing. Furthermore, it was also revealed that the focus group platform could enable teachers to improve their reflective practice. Among other factors, receiving constructive feedback, and recognizing the possible relationship between theory and practice were benefits of reflective practice through knowledge sharing. Regarding the barriers to using reflective focus group, various inhibitors were reported by the teachers, including personal, institutional, and educational. The implications of the study are also presented.

scholarly journals From Knowledge Sharing to Reflective Thinking: Using Focus Group to Promote EFL Teachers’ Reflectivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Farahian ◽  
Farshad Parhamnia
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Constructive Feedback ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Master Of Arts

Educational research literature has underscored the key role of collaboration and interaction among teachers. As such, the present study, as its main objective, sought whether knowledge sharing in a reflective focus group improved English as a foreign language(EFL) student teachers’ reflective practice. In addition, it explored the benefits and challenges to knowledge sharing in a reflective focus group. To this end, a survey of reflective practice, and a semi-structured interview were employed to investigate research questions. Eleven Iranian Master of Arts (MA) students who were, at the same time, EFL teachers in languages schools served as the participants of the study. The results indicated that the focus group platform could enable EFL teachers to improve their reflective practice through interaction with colleagues. Among other factors, receiving constructive feedback, and recognizing the possible relationship between theory and practice were the benefits of knowledge sharing through reflective practice. Regarding the barriers to using reflective focus group, various inhibitors were reported by the participants that can be classified into personal, institutional, and educational factors. The implications of the study are also presented.

scholarly journals Towards Understanding EFL Teachers’ Conceptions of Research: Findings From Argentina

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-72
Author(s):  
Darío Luis Banegas
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Research Findings

This paper investigates the conceptions of research held by English as a foreign language teachers in Argentina. Quantitative data from 622 participants from an online questionnaire were followed by qualitative data from online interviews with 40 of those participants. Results show that the teachers conceptualised research through conventional notions closer to a quantitative paradigm. They felt research was not part of their job, and a lack of time was the main reason for not engaging in/with research. Teacher development, agency, empowerment, and autonomy could be sought by engaging teachers with forms of research which are meaningful to them, such as action research.

scholarly journals Teacher to Researcher: Reflections on a New Action Research Program for University EFL Teachers

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Burns ◽  
Anne Westmacott
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
First Year ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Research Publication ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
The University ◽  
Relevant Factors

One of the current challenges facing many universities is how to support teachers in becoming researchers. This article discusses the experiences at a small private Chilean university of a new action research programme that was developed as a vehicle for helping teachers to become involved in research and write a research publication for peer-reviewed journals. We present findings from research into similar programmes about relevant factors for their success, describe the programme developed at the university with five English as a Foreign Language teachers in 2016, and discuss some reflections on this first year of the programme.

scholarly journals Teacher education

2005 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-41
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Pre Service Teacher Education ◽  
Pre Service Teacher

05–88Haley, Marjorie Hall (George Mason U, USA). Implications of using case study instruction in a foreign/second language methods course. Foreign Language Annals (New York, USA) 37.2 (2004), 290–300.05–89Lozano, Albert S. (California State U, USA), Padilla, Amado M., Sung, Hyekyung & Silva Duarte M. A statewide professional program for California foreign language teachers. Foreign Language Annals (New York, USA) 37.2 (2004), 301–309.05–90Rilling, Sarah, Dahlman, Anne, Dodson, Sarah, Boyles, Claire & Pavant, Özlem (Kent State U, USA). Connecting CALL theory and practice in pre-service teacher education and beyond: processes and products. CALICO Journal (TX, USA) 22.2 (2005), 213–235.

scholarly journals A Study of Self-development of EFL Teachers in the Universities of Sichuan Province in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
Lina Guan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Sichuan Province ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
College English ◽  
Self Development ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Service Training

The quality of foreign language college English teachers will affect the quality of college English teaching. This article investigated 80 college foreign language teachers of SiChuan Province and writer found college English teachers had great pressures. They were eager to get the in-service training and they should be taught how to have self-development. Teachers should co-operate each other and break the isolation among them.

scholarly journals Necessity of improvement of foreign language teaching in the Slovak Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-263
Author(s):  
Marcela Šarvajcová ◽  
Monika Štrbová
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Foreign Language Education ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers

Aim. The aim of the research study was to investigate the opinions of the Slovakian secondary school foreign language teachers and learn about their views on the system of education in the field of enhancement of teachers` professional qualifications. Methods. To perform the results of the study the method of focus group was used. Results. The results of the presented research show the differences between the perception of foreign language education in the past and how it appears today through the views of selected number of foreign language teachers in Slovakia. The pivotal role is played by the technological skills of the students and their ability to use information technologies instructed in foreign languages. The research results also indicate the possibilities of teachers to get in direct contact with the target foreign language as a part of their professional development. The research participants also specified the factors that they considered the most influential in the process of foreign language learning. Conclusion. The purpose of the article is to discuss the urge to achieve highly professional foreign language education in today`s technological society. As shown by the results obtained from the focus group, the teachers/participants agreed on a single highly impactful factor: family.

scholarly journals Foreign Language Teachers’ Intercultural Competence as a New Aspect of Professional Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Gazioğlu ◽  
Buket Tanyeri
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Private University ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Teacher Training Programs

This mixed-method study aims to offer an insight into foreign language teachers’ perceptions on the relationship between intercultural competence and professional development. It is also attempted to explore some methods for evaluating teachers’ intercultural competence through their professional development activities. The research participants are local and international instructors at a private university in Turkey. Data was collected via a web-based questionnaire adapted from Sercu (2006) and a semi-structured interview designed by the researchers. The general findings of the study indicate that learning about a) target culture, b) local culture, and c) international students’ culture contribute to foreign language teachers’ intercultural competence and it is considered as a part of their professional development. However, it is pointed out that pre-service and in-service teacher training programs in Turkey cannot provide sufficient facilities to develop teachers’ intercultural competence.  Key words: professional development, intercultural competence, foreign language teaching.  

scholarly journals Investigation of the Life Satisfaction Levels of Turkish EFL Teachers in Terms of Several Variables

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Selma Deneme
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Female Teachers ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Life Satisfaction Scale

In the present study, the purpose was to investigate the life satisfaction levels of Turkish EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers in terms of several variables. The general survey method was used in the study. The life satisfaction scale, which was developed by Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin (1985), adapted into Turkish by Dağlı and Baysal (2016), was used to collect the data in the study. The data were collected through the internet from the teachers who taught English as a foreign language between January and March 2021. The software SPSS 24 version was used for the data analyses along with Spearman Correlation Coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Mann Whitney U-Test. According to the results of the study, it was found that the life satisfaction levels increased in favor of female teachers in terms of the gender variable and in favor of married teachers according to the marital status variable; additionally, was found to increase in favor of those who received support from administrators and colleagues when it comes to the support received from administrators and colleagues. In the same way, life satisfaction levels were found to increase as age increased and in favor of those who considered themselves at upper-income level economically.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document