scholarly journals Motivational Strategies among English Language Teachers: An Examination in Higher Education Institutions in the Malaysian Context

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaida Omar ◽  
Nik Ahmad Farhan bin Azim @ Nik Azim ◽  
Noor Syamimie Mohd Nawi ◽  
Noraini Zaini
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Teacher Behavior ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Context Specific

Little attention was given to explore and understand motivational strategies among English language (EL) teachers, particularly at higher education institutions (HEIs), despite the on-going interest on this matter. Identifying which strategies are adaptive and maladaptive could help them to promote student motivation in return. This study aims to identify the degree of importance and implementation of motivational strategies among EL teachers and explore to what extent they implement the strategies that they perceived as important. The online questionnaires were distributed to 49 teachers at 11 public universities in Malaysia, and ten of them were interviewed. The findings of this study suggested the implementation of motivational strategies heavily depended on teachers’ perceived motivation in teaching. The highest-rated strategy was Proper Teacher Behavior, and the least preferred was Promote Learner Autonomy, indicating that teacher behavior as an important element in ensuring effective language learning. Next, despite the findings that most students are not ready for learner autonomy, the teachers appeared to have a more positive outlook on the inclusion of learner autonomy, and this contradicts findings of previous studies in the Asian contexts. It also indicates that motivational strategies are neither cultural nor context-specific. However, some strategies are still regarded as very practical, while some are less practical in different learning situations. Future research may include private universities to contribute to the knowledge gap on the lack of information on this topic and eventually enable academics to engage in motivational strategies research across all HEIs in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Investigating TESOL Teachers' Awareness of Critical Pedagogy at Higher Education Institutions in Oman: Implications for Critical Professional Development

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 35-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thuraya Al Riyami ◽  
Ali Al Issa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Pedagogy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Alternative Pedagogy ◽  
Sociopolitical Context ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
The 1960S

Critical Pedagogy (CP) has been proposed as an alternative pedagogy capable of meeting the complex demands of teaching English within a particular sociopolitical context. Despite the fact that CP has been present in education since the 1960s, much of the research on CP has been conducted recently in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) contexts. There is a growing but as yet small amount of research that addresses the usage of CP in TESOL contexts, to which this study hopes to make a useful contribution. Therefore, this study investigates the extent to which TESOL teachers from four higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman are aware of CP. In order to achieve this, a questionnaire is administered to 178 English Language Teachers. The main findings reveal a widespread lack of awareness of the concept of CP among TESOL teachers. Nonetheless, minorities of teachers are aware of CP and implement it in a limited fashion in their classes. On the other hand, there are teachers who, whilst being aware of CP, do not implement it. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Becoming a process drama practitioner: An exploratory study of higher education language teachers in Japan

2021 ◽  
pp. 136216882110609
Author(s):  
Kim Murray ◽  
José Reis-Jorge ◽  
Julie-Anne Regan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Process Drama ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Japanese Higher Education

Research in language learning indicates that process drama (PD), an educational approach where students and teachers work in and out of role to explore themes and issues, can be well suited to the Japanese higher education (HE) context. Despite the benefits highlighted in the literature, PD remains a niche approach to language teaching and learning, with a limited number of practitioners in Japan. This study seeks to uncover language teachers’ experiences of becoming Process Drama Practitioners (PDPs) and using and sharing PD as an English language teaching approach in Japanese HE. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with six experienced PDPs. The findings indicate that prior positive experiences with drama was an encouraging factor of the adoption and self-directed initial use of PD in their teaching practices. Positive student outcomes and feedback were primary motivators for continued use of PD. Experiences of sharing PD led to a perceived need to distinguish PD from theatre-based approaches and establish connections to familiar approaches to language teaching.

scholarly journals Pre-teaching Vocabulary in Teaching Reading Skill: A Hindrance to Learner Autonomy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-132
Author(s):  
Takad Ahmed Chowdhury ◽  
Arjumand Ara
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Receptive Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teaching Reading ◽  
Reading Text

Pre-teaching vocabulary of unfamiliar words of a reading or listening lesson is a technique used by English language teachers where they define and explain unfamiliar but essential words of the text just before the start of the comprehension task.Conversely, learner autonomy is an educational practice that refers to the learners' responsibility for their own learning, both in terms of what they learn and how they learn. These two diametrical ideals in English Language Teaching (ELT) demand research to justify pre-teaching vocabulary in teaching receptive language skills. Accordingly, this review paper investigated the effectiveness of pre-teaching vocabulary in teaching reading skills to English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners by reviewing recent literature. It sheds light on the concepts of learner autonomy, strategies to teach vocabularies in reading, pre-teaching vocabulary, and the extent pre-teaching is justified. This paper concludes that, while the principle of vocabulary pre-instruction is generally in conflict with that of learner autonomy, this particular strategy in ELT cannot be entirely disregarded to facilitate comprehension of a reading text and thus in promoting the use of target language, and can selectively be used by the teachers in interesting and useful ways. The study will help teachers to better understand to what extent pre-teaching vocabulary is useful and what strategies of this teaching technique can help motivate students to read and comprehend a reading text. Scope for future research is provided

scholarly journals Perceptions of English Language Instructors on the Effectiveness of Learning Advisory Training Programme (LATP)

2021 ◽  
pp. 231-247
Author(s):  
Hülya Şen ◽  
Mümin Şen
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Proper Training ◽  
Reflective Processes

Advising in language learning (ALL) can be defined as “the process of helping someone become an effective, aware, and reflective language learner” (Kato & Mynard, 2016, p. 1). In order to promote learner autonomy, a learning advisor conducts an intentionally structured reflective dialogue, the purpose of which is to engage the learner in reflective processes so that the learner can reach a deeper sense of understanding and control of language learning (Carson & Mynard, 2012; Kato & Mynard, 2016). The main role of the learning advisor in this process is to “activate learners’ reflective processes through a one-to-one dialogue” (Kato & Mynard, 2016, p. 104). To encourage active and critical reflection, learning advisors need to be provided with proper training. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of the experienced English language teachers regarding the effectiveness of the learning advisory training program (LATP) they have attended and its effects on the teachers’ professional and personal lives. To achieve this aim, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires and interview findings. The results suggest that the teachers who attended the LATP developed a deeper awareness of how to promote learner autonomy.

scholarly journals Female Teachers’ Perspectives of Learner Autonomy in the Saudi Context

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 570
Author(s):  
Jameelah Asiri ◽  
Nadia Shukri
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Female Teachers ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Proper Training ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perspectives

For decades, the term learner autonomy has been the focus of many studies in the field of education and language learning. This study addresses teachers' perspectives of learner autonomy in Saudi Arabia. It examines whether teachers have the knowledge to encourage and foster learner-autonomy. This study also seeks to explore the challenges English language teachers face in the process of implementing learner autonomy into their EFL classrooms. The investigation was conducted using a sample of 50 English language teachers teaching Saudi students at King Abdul-Aziz University. Data was collected using a 20 - item questionnaire. The study was a mixed research method. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that teachers believe that Saudi learners in the current situation are non-autonomous learners’, they lack the knowledge and the training to apply it. Findings also revealed that teachers are familiar with the learner- autonomy yet, they stated that they need proper training and professional development to help encourage learner autonomy. It is an attempt to contribute to the literature underlying learner autonomy in the field of language learning in the Saudi context. Also, it suggests further research to help better comprehend the value of teachers' role in the process of autonomous language learning for learners.

scholarly journals EXPECTATIONS AND REALITY OF LEARNER AUTONOMY AND COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN PAKISTANI HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (34) ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
Choudhry Shahid ◽  
Eng Tek Ong ◽  
Kung Teck Wong ◽  
Asma Perveen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
English Language ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Skill Development ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Main Factors

The primary aim of this study is to analyse the main factors affecting the learner autonomy and communicative competence of the EFL learners at higher education level in Pakistan. Nowadays, the English language is considered a language of education, business, and research, moreover, English is a medium of instruction in higher education institutions in Pakistan and communication ability and autonomy are regarded highly important skills for the students’ academic success and professional development in the university context. This study has used the literature review and situational analysis approach in order to explore the teaching and learning of the English language at the tertiary level in Pakistan. This study will discuss the present situation of English Language teaching in Pakistan, and the main challenges hindering the skill development of the students. This study has recommendations for the policymakers, teachers, trainers, and students struggling to develop communicative competence and learner autonomy at higher education level in Pakistan. The finding of the study indicates that gap in skill development, low proficiency, improper evaluation, and problematic pedagogy are the main factors affecting skill development in the Pakistani EFL context. Students’ skills can be promoted incompetence and autonomy areas by providing them with interpersonal and physical space in learning the target language.

scholarly journals ELT in Both Private and Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): An Approach to New Normal Pedagogy of Teaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Leovigildo Lito D. Mallillin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Teaching Pedagogy ◽  
Cooperative Approach ◽  
Private And Public

The study aims to analyze the different approaches to ELT in the new normal for both private and public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as the basis for teaching pedagogy in terms of the trend in teaching, syllabus utilization, materials, and resources, activities in learning, and competency learning. The study comprised thirty-nine (39) respondents only which employs the descriptive quantitative research design and random sampling. Results show that trend in teaching context based and content instruction on the English language as the medium of teaching and instruction in English Language Teaching (ELT) focuses on the language cooperative approach in teaching approaches that suits to the learning capacity of students. It emphasizes on the complex and competency based learning and outcome of the process of learning as to skills, application, knowledge, and attitude of the learners, materials and resources, show that different centered on the instruction of the English language approach to learning, the activity is focused on the task based-learning and the process of usage in the important skills of the ELT, and competency process of learning show to provide students in the competency of ELT and language learning inside the classroom and direction in the specific task in the English competency of learning. Findings show that there is a significant correlation between the different approaches to ELT in the new normal for both private and public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as the basis for teaching pedagogy among the respondents.

scholarly journals English Language for Refugees at Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (S2-Sep) ◽  
pp. 77-87
Author(s):  
Omer Faruk Ipek
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Education ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Refugee Students ◽  
Educational Backgrounds ◽  
The Status

After the massive immigration caused by the war in middle east, English language filled the communicationgap between the people of host counties and refugees. Framing the study with language learning for resilience, in this qualitative case study, the status of refugee students at a Turkish higher education foreign language institution has been investigated to find out: (a) educational background of refugee students, (b)refugees’ current state of language learning for resilience, and (c) instructors’ positions on English education for resilience.Two Iraqi, one Syrian refugee students and their two language teachers participated in this study. Tocollect data, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results showed us that although these students are coming from different educational backgrounds, they hold similar beliefs about English education and have hopes for their future. It is implied that with special and intensive assistance, being competent in English language will open the gates to global opportunities for refugees.

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