scholarly journals The Use of Local Literary Texts as Reading Materials in English Language Classrooms: An Analysis of Teachers’ Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 127-144
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shahril Haja Mohaideen ◽  
Hanita Hanim Ismail ◽  
Radzuwan Ab Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
English As Second Language ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Teaching Community ◽  
Text Selection ◽  
Language Classrooms

. It is common for Malaysian primary school pupils to have difficulties in reading English texts. One of its factors concerns text selection. Hence, a careful selection of the text is needed to ease their reading experience in ESL (English as Second Language) classrooms. This study explored teachers’ perceptions on literary text selection for Malaysian primary schools. An online questionnaire was distributed to gauge teachers’ perceptions on the current materials in terms of its impact on the students and lesson effectiveness. Respondents were 34 teachers of Years 4 to 6 in primary schools in Terengganu, the east coast Malaysia. Data analysis revealed that the teachers perceive local materials as more relatable to pupils in comparison to the foreign texts. The local texts are also perceived to have greater impacts on the students and lessons despite doubts remaining within the autonomy of this selection. This study is hoped to be helpful to the Ministry of Education and the teaching community in improving text selection in the future.

scholarly journals Teachers’ Perceptions of the Standard-based English Language Curriculum in Malaysian Primary Schools

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-208
Author(s):  
Suriati Sulaiman ◽  
◽  
Tajularipin Sulaiman ◽  
Suzieleez Syrene Abdul Rahim ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Curriculum ◽  
Teachers Perceptions

Malaysian Primary Teachers’ Perceptions on Dyscalculia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 125-136
Author(s):  
Yoong Soo May ◽  
Fu Sai Hoe ◽  
Wong Wei Lun ◽  
Lijuan Shen
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Primary Teachers ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Learning Abilities ◽  
Learning Capability ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Significant Difference

This study aims to examine the perceptions of primary school teachers in Malaysia regarding dyscalculia using a survey. The researchers conducted the study using a quantitative design. The survey data had been collected using a questionnaire. The survey data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The questionnaire was adapted from Chinn’s (2020) checklist for dyscalculia with permission from Professor Dr. Steve Chinn. Thirty Mathematics teachers from Year One to Year Three in primary schools were randomly chosen. The severity of dyscalculia were analysed by using means and standard deviations. In contrast, independent t-tests were used to compare the severity of dyscalculia between school locations, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the severity of dyscalculia between different school types. According to teachers’ perceptions, the difficulty level for dyscalculic pupils in our country is medium-high (M=3.684, σ=.994). There is no significant difference in dyscalculia severity between school locations (p=.243, p>.05). However, there is a significant difference in dyscalculia severity between school types (p=.007, p.05). Dyscalculic pupils need to be detected since primary schools. The future agenda for this study is to design and develop an instrument in order to detect the dyscalculic pupils among the population. The disparities in dyscalculia severity levels between school types and s are important for the Ministry of Education, educators, teachers, and researchers. This is because it will be useful to determine the allocations of funding and resources so that the learning capability for pupils with different learning abilities can be improved to the maximum.

EFL Pre-service Teachers’ Perceptions towards the Use of CALL in the English Language Classrooms

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nutthida Tachaiyaphum ◽  
Peter James Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Computer Training ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Computer Competence ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
English Language Classrooms

This study aimed to investigate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pre-service teachers’ perceptions towards the use of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in the English Language Classrooms concerning the teachers’ computer competence and their perceptions of CALL after creating and using their own CALL in language teaching. The participants were EFL pre-service teachers studying in the faculty of education, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. Questionnaires were used to collect the data after teaching with CALL. The findings revealed that the overall computer competence of the participants was a moderate to a high level, yet the participants were not competent in accessing the different types of information and CALL materials online. Furthermore, the participants reported that the use of a computer made language learning interesting and encouraging. However, they demonstrated that a computer training program was required due to the lack of competence in operating some computer programs as well as the inadequate knowledge of new technology for the language learning. It can be surmised that though the EFL pre-service teachers have learned about CALL, they still find the CALL knowledge gained from the teaching methodology courses insufficient for effective CALL integration and design. Therefore, the study suggests that in order to improve teacher preparation courses, the knowledge of CALL including what CALL is, various types of CALL, as well as CALL materials evaluation be provided. Additionally, the understanding of teaching approaches should also be improved along with the technological skills since the knowledge of CALL solely is inadequate to make effective teaching. The teachers need the capability of selecting the right CALL materials and teaching approaches which are appropriate to the lesson.

scholarly journals The Perceptions of Saudi English Teachers about their Contribution to the Development of English Curriculum in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. p42
Author(s):  
Lujain Jaza AlSehli
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Collaborative Effort ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
English Curriculum ◽  
Teachers Perceptions

The current research investigated the perceptions of Saudi English teachers about their contribution to the development of English curriculum with the Ministry of Education (MOE). Also, this research sought to know the role of Saudi English teachers in developing English curriculum in Saudi Arabia. To obtain teachers’ perceptions, an online questionnaire was designed via google forms with open and close-ended questions along with a Likert scale section. It was shared with the Saudi Faculty of English account on Twitter. The major cause of conducting this research was to raise the awareness of including Saudi English teachers in developing English curriculum, and to make this process as a collaborative effort among various stakeholders and English teachers. The findings indicated the absent role of Saudi teachers and the lack of their involvement in developing English curriculum in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the results showed their willingness to participate and be part of this process.

scholarly journals Scrutinizing Values-Based Education in Secondary Grade EFL Coursebooks

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gülşah Tikiz Ertürk
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Teaching Community ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Target Values ◽  
Analysis Design

The study aims to expand the understanding of values and values-based teaching in the English language teaching community by scrutinizing English as a foreign language (EFL) coursebooks and the secondary grade curriculum. This is a qualitative study with a document analysis design. The data in the form of EFL coursebooks were examined, interpreted and coded to elicit meaning and gain understanding about the presentation of values residing in four coursebooks. The results of the study indicated that the values presented in secondary level EFL coursebooks do not show an equal distribution and the target values serve the purpose of raising awareness of learners about different values rather than allowing them to understand, internalize and discuss these values at higher levels of learning, which makes the process only superficial. Integrating the teaching of values into the curriculum of language learning classes has been an area of interest in recent years and the Turkish Ministry of Education (MoNE) revised its curriculum in 2018 and textbooks were written in 2019 in accordance with the requirements of the national curricula. Detailed analysis of the teaching of values and their distribution in these coursebooks might help curriculum planners and coursebook writers as well as teachers.

scholarly journals The CEFR Impact on English Language Educators Teaching Engineering Programmes at a Private University in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Zufrie Abd Rahman ◽  
◽  
Seng Tong Chong ◽  
Zeittey Karmilla Kaman ◽  
Carol Elizabeth Leon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Private University ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Analysis Software ◽  
The Common ◽  
Malaysian Students

This paper presents some preliminary findings of a multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary research. It explores the experience of language educators on the newly implemented policy by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. The implementation of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a policy that develops through a whole continuum: from primary schools to universities. The paper fills the gap in terms of impact studies of the CEFR especially on engineering programmes where the desired CEFR levels are higher. This implementation affects language educators at university in various domains such as the required CEFR levels for language educators, teaching materials and support systems. The methodological framework used in this study is phenomenological study. It aims to explore the experience of the language educators. Interviews were conducted on three language educators teaching engineering programmes at a private university. Snowballing technique was used in identifying the research interviewees. Data gathered were analysed using Atlas.Ti, a qualitative analysis software. Preliminary result indicates that language educators were positive and welcome enthusiastically the change. However, challenges were immense and critical. This paper concludes that the implementation of the CEFR is a wise move for Malaysian students towards a higher level of proficiency in English.

scholarly journals The current situation and issues with English language activities in primary schools in Japan after six years of implementation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24
Author(s):  
Takiguchi Masaru ◽  
Machida Junko
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Education ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Proper Training ◽  
Compulsory Subject ◽  
Education Culture ◽  
Homeroom Teachers

English education in public primary schools in Japan started in 2011 not as a subject but as an area of foreign language activities in Japan. However, the preparation was poor and homeroom teachers without proper training were required to teach English. Since then, the issue has become highly controversial in Japan. To clarify the actual situation, we conducted surveys three times between 2012 and 2017 and found many problems. Nevertheless, English will become a compulsory subject from April, 2020, but before we see any major improvements by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), more careful study on the problems is an urgent need and therefore, we would like to utilize the results of our research. This paper attempts to study the changing situation and to point out the necessary conditions for possible reforms by comparing and analyzing the results of the latter two surveys.

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