scholarly journals An Action Research on EFL Writing Dilemmas: A Case of Saudi Students and Instructors

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Alkubaidi
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Language Writing ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations ◽  
Writing Competence ◽  
Writing Curricula

Learning to write in a second language is a great challenge for students; however, certain factors might minimize these challenges. In general, the Saudi students face difficulty to develop the writing competence in a foreign language because they rely on instructors as a sole source of knowledge. Therefore, the study investigated the English language writing in a university in Saudi Arabia. It implemented an action research design based on three main phases; namely, exploration, intervention, and reflection stage. The main questions asked include how the instructors view the writing style of students within the setting and how they perceived the English language writing curricula among the students. The data drew several conclusions that provided insight into the Saudi Higher Education concerning English as a foreign language (EFL) classes. The first is the spoon-feeding of Saudi learners throughout their educational years; therefore, they find it challenging to gain hold of their learning. Second, writing in English is a challenging task for Saudi students. Third, some of the students memorize writing passages to pass their English course. Fourthly, teaching to write was done by focusing on form, writing mechanics, rather than communicative aspects of writing and genre. This study has contributed towards the understanding of Saudi learners in university language classrooms analyzing their perceptions and expectations.

scholarly journals English as a Lingua Franca Approach: Implications and Limitations in Saudi English as a Foreign Language Classrooms

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 96-104
Author(s):  
Samar Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
The World ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms ◽  
Global Language

English language considers a global language spoken by a majority of people around the world. It is a language used mainly for communication, trades and study purposes. This widespread of English language being wildly spoken lead to different varieties of English as a lingua franca (ELF) means that non native speakers of English still be able to communicate with each other. Using ELF as a legitimate variety of English in language classrooms is questioned by some researchers. This paper will provide an overview of the concept of ELF. It will also present implications and limitations of using ELF in Saudi English as foreign language classrooms.

Modern approaches in teaching writing skill within the process of foreign language teaching

2020 ◽  
pp. 110-117
Author(s):  
Umida Kulmagambetovna Khodjaniyazova 
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Process Approach ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Foreign Language Writing ◽  
Language Writing ◽  
Product Approach ◽  
Writing Competence

This article is devoted to the problem of the development of writing competence in the process of foreign language teaching. The article refects the main directions of the language policy in the Republic Uzbekistan with reference to the fundamental normative documents in this area, describes the conditions for the successful language policy in the feld of foreign language education. The characteristic features of foreign language writing competence is presented. The concept of the term «approach» is analyzed by foreign scholars and the author focuses on the advantage of two modern approaches in teaching foreign language writing competence as Product approach and Process approach. A review of two modern approaches is presented by involving the points and claims of well-known foreign scholars. The article deals with the assessment criteria, the learning process and effective techniques that are used on the basis of product approach. It presents a typical model for process approach created by the English specialist C. Tribble. Carried out comparative analysis of two given approaches, leads to the conclusion that both product approach and process approach, despite of their advantages, are not perfect enough in teaching writing since both approaches were criticized by methodologists. As a result of the study, it is concluded that it is preferable to use a mixed approach, along with traditional ones to develop writing competence of students.

Using Machinima as Teaching and Learning Materials

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagun Shrestha ◽  
Tilly Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Material ◽  
Learning Materials ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
English Language Classrooms ◽  
Made In

Machinima, screencast animated videos made in a virtual world, are still not a very well-known phenomenon, and there has been little reseach in relation to their use as a teaching material in English language classrooms. This study aimed to investigate the potential for and challenges in using machinima in the pre-intermediate English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. Bespoke machinima were created for three classes in Nepal, and the lessons using them were observed. Two teachers and four students were given semi-structued interviews, and 20 students were asked to write a reflective note on their impression of the use of machinima. The findings of the study indicate that machinima are distinct from other materials in that they can be contextualized to address the needs, interests, and values of the learners. Student engagement is thus found to have been significantly higher.

scholarly journals Relationship between Classroom Research, Teacher Research and Action Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Ajmal Shahim
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Teacher Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Classroom Research ◽  
Action Analysis ◽  
Language Classrooms

Classroom Research, Teacher Research, and Action Research are three methods that are often misunderstood. Classroom analysis is research undertaken in language classrooms that reflects on participation in the lessons; the Research’s emphasis as well as the environment in which the data is obtained characterizes it. For language teachers and the discipline as a whole, doing classroom Research may be helpful. Teacher research is classified as research performed by the Teacher; in other words, the person who performs the thesis specifies it. The iterative cyclic procedures of preparing, behaving, observing, evaluating, and replanting are used in action analysis to address challenges and develop local practice. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate the distinctions between classroom research, Teacher research, and Action research, as well as familiarity with the research method in this field. The analysis of vague information in the field of science research, particularly research in the classroom, professorial research, and practical research in language teaching, is the product and result of the research work on this subject, which has added to the richness of this scientific – research essay.  Aim- Receiving correct and necessary knowledge on these three forms of Research in the field of English language and literature, as well as a brief summary of systematic and general research on classroom research, Teacher training, and Action research in language teaching classrooms.

scholarly journals STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARD TEACHER’S TALK IN EFL CLASSROOM OF INDONESIA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-91
Author(s):  
ERLY MULFIAS YULI
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
English Teacher ◽  
Research Subject ◽  
Eleventh Graders ◽  
Language Classrooms

This study is a case study to investigate students’ perceptions toward teacher’s talk in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms. It is conducted for two months on a single entity as the research subject, ie on 35 Eleventh-graders with varying English language skills and an English teacher. Since it focuses only on a certain entity, the results of the study cannot be generalized to the broader context. This study uses a qualitative approach by showing data from the results of questionnaires, observations and interviews with research samples. The study focuses on a research question on how Eleventh graders' perception on a teacher’s talk in EFL classrooms. Regarding to the research question, it aims to determine the thoughts of students on teacher’s talk, so that the teacher can organize and modify the class based on the perceptions that can implicate the learning process by reducing students’ anxiety. It provides students opportunities to be able to process information or lessons learned more comfortably, thus it reduces obstacles in learning. The findings of the study show that the majority of students of Eleventh-grade want to fully use English although they still have difficulties in understanding and feel less confident in using English.

EFL Acquisition External Problems and Difficulties: An Investigative Interview to Examine Saudi Students' Thoughts and Feelings

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
Mamoon M. Alaraj
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Investigative Interview ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
And Training

This study aimed to explore and discover how Saudi students feel and think about English as a Foreign Language (EFL) acquisition and its problems and difficulties. It also aimed at sorting out the most common external EFL problems and difficulties that made most of them fail to successfully acquire English language. A sample of 300 male students was randomly chosen from level one students in their foundation year at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Those students recently graduated from secondary schools spread all over the country and so they represented the different regions of the country. Data for this study was obtained from interviews. The results of the interviews showed that students had an actual desire to learn English. The EFL external problems and difficulties were categorized into a set of four main groups: (1) Insufficient exposure to and practice of language in real life situations, (2) Teachers’ lack of seriousness and training, (3) Lack of motivation and (4) Inappropriate textbooks. This study can help English teachers, supervisors, curriculum designers and education policy-makers in Saudi Arabia overcome these problems and difficulties.

scholarly journals EFL Teachers’ Autonomy Supportive Practices for Out-of-Class Language Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-78
Author(s):  
Tuba Işık ◽  
Cem Balçıkanlı
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Autonomy Support ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
State University ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learner Motivation ◽  
Supportive Behaviors ◽  
Language Classrooms

Autonomy support is a recently defined role for teachers, and they are expected to help learners engage in autonomous out-of-class learning. With a focus on English language learning outside the classroom, this study intended to uncover English as a foreign language teachers’ practices related to autonomy support and to discuss the challenges faced by the teachers in this process. Eleven teachers working at the tertiary level at a state university in Turkey were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in three sessions to find out the extent to which the teachers help their learners become autonomous. The findings revealed that the teachers perform many autonomy-supportive behaviors which are feasible in language classrooms such as motivating students, giving language advice and promoting peer collaboration. In doing this, the teachers utilize five different support mechanisms: affective, resource, capacity, technology, and social support. On the other hand, the findings uncovered such constraints as crowded classes, overloaded curriculum, and low learner motivation. These challenges were perceived as barriers hampering teachers’ efforts for autonomy support. This study highlights the feasibility of creating an autonomy-supportive language learning environment and provides implications for teachers of English as a Foreign Language.

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