scholarly journals Teaching English in Multilingual Contexts: Teachers' Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 33-46
Author(s):  
Pitambar Paudel

 The national and international migration has made multilingualism a common phenomenon; Nepal is no exception. Nepal is regarded as a multilingual country where more than 129 languages are spoken. Despite multilingualism, English language has been taught from basic to advance levels of education as a core or optional subject. In this context, this article has investigated challenges faced by English teachers in teaching English in multilingual classes of Nepal. The article has also attempted to explore the strategies employed by teachers to deal with the challenges that they faced. To achieve these objectives, explanatory sequential mixed research design was used. Eighty basic level English language teachers from forty different (2 from each) schools of Kaski district were selected purposively. The data was collected through survey questionnaires, interview and classroom observation. The research showed that linguistic diversity, students classroom behavior and demotivation towards English, uncontextual and lengthy syllabus, lack of teachers' involvement in curriculum designing process and refresher courses programmes were the major challenges that the teachers have faced while teaching English. The research also indicated that the use of translation, use of increasing reading materials, managing rewards to the students, and repetition of the text were the major strategies that teachers employed to cope with the challenges in multilingual contexts. This implies that the policy makers, curriculum designers, and administrators should train the teachers to address these issues that are related to teaching English in a multilingual context like in Nepal.

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eka Pratiwi ◽  
Yuyun Yulia

In English language classroom, teachers’ questions are important parts of teaching English language. Teachers need to know what kind of questions which potentially support students learning target language.  However, students did not actively participate in learning particularly when responding teachers’ questions. To overcome this problem, it is important for teachers to modify their question through some techniques in order to get students’ responses. This study reports the types of teachers’ questions used by English teachers in classroom, and the classification of modification questions used by teachers during teaching English language in class.This research belongs to classroom discourse analysis. The research was conducted at tenth grade of SMKN 1 Nunukan. The data were collected through observation, video recording, and interview. The teachers’ questions were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s (1995) model of qualitative data analysis.The research findings show that both teachers pose more questions of knowledge level than other levels, and the teachers used various techniques to modify their questions when the students did not give response. The modification of modifying questions are repeating and rephrasing. Then sometimes teachers negotiated questions by in Bahasa Indonesia or first language (local language). The domination of knowledge level questions and how teachers modified the questions is influenced by teachers’ competence, students’ competence, situation of teaching English language, and teaching material.


IIUC Studies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 93-102
Author(s):  
Md Morshedul Alam

This paper tries to identify the factors that hinder implementing Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in the secondary schools in rural Bangladesh. This article takes a qualitative approach, and it is carried out in four rural schools in Banskhali, which is situated in Chittagong district in Bangladesh. Eight secondary level English language teachers were interviewed to generate data about the problems in implementing CLT in their respective institutions. The findings indicate several challenges that include: shortage of skilled teachers, unusually large class size, deficiency of modern materials used in CLT oriented classrooms, etc. This research may provide implications for the language policy makers and the practitioners for the improvement of CLT practices in the rural contexts of Bangladesh.IIUC Studies Vol.13 December 2016: 93-102


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-39
Author(s):  
Shahnaz Mahmud

English language teachers customarily rule out the use of mother tongue for teaching English. Reflecting on the theoretical underpinnings and empirical research on the use of mother tongue (L1) in English classroom and its ongoing debate the present study aims to explore teachers’ and students’ perceptions of it. A mixed method approach using questionnaire and interview is employed to analyze Bangladeshi university teachers’ and students’ belief and perceptions of teaching English with the help of L1. The study also attempts to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using L1. Results indicate that both teachers and students perceive the necessity of judicious use of L1 to facilitate learning and acquisition of English as a foreign language (EFL).


Author(s):  
Faizah Abd Majid

This paper examines TESL curriculum and how the curriculum relates to the training of the super skills needed in Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). Specifically, a comparative study on several TESL programmes offered in several public universities in Malaysia will provide the common trend among the universities and specific strengths of each university. Focus of comparison includes the programme outcomes (PO), discipline core courses offered, methods of delivery and assessment. The comparisons are made to shed some lights on how universities are providing relevant training for the pre-service English language teachers in meeting the demand of Industry Revolution 4.0. In addressing the relevance of the curriculum, a discussion on the super skills needed for IR 4.0, IR characteristics and components will be briefly provided. Findings that address the strengths and rooms for improvement in the current TESL programme curriculum in meeting the need of IR 4.0 could benefit policy makers, curriculum developer and TESL trainers.


Author(s):  
Gloria Luque Agulló

This paper describes the steps involved in designing educational programs for pre-service English language teachers in Secondary education within the Spanish context, following the current educational law (LOMCE).  Considering the century-long search for the best method within TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and the continuous reforms of educational laws in Spain, pre-service teachers must learn the competences and skills essential for designing of their own teaching program. The series of steps described here will enable teachers to show accountability to educational authorities and increase their self-confidence, subsequently improving their craft in the language classroom.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 104-122
Author(s):  
Girimbabazi Serge ◽  
◽  
Mrs Adegoke Oyebimpe ◽  
Dr. Hesbon Opiyo Andala ◽  
◽  
...  

The improvement of students’ English proficiency depends on the level of teaching English language and the competency of teachers in teaching career. The purpose of this study therefore, was to investigate the relationship between teachers’ competency in English language and students’ English language proficiency within secondary schools of Karongi in Rwanda. The study adopted correlation research design research design. Data collection tools were questionnaire and interview guide. The target population was 1794 people comprised of 1560 students, 14 Sector Education Officers, 20 Head Teachers, 200 teachers. A simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to get a sample size of 395 respondents. The study findings revealed that majority of the students with a total of 290 (91.2%) agreed that in their school, teachers are not competent enough in English language. Moreover, almost 292 (91.8%) of the respondents agreed that in their school, students English reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency level is low and 70 (90.9%) of key informants agreed that both in public and private secondary schools of Karongi District, students’ English language proficiency level in reading, writing, speaking and listening is low. The correlation results showed the association between between teachers’ inability to teach in English, teachers’ inability to read classroom interactions in English language, teachers’ incompetency in English language, teachers’ inability to express themselves in English language as well as teachers’ inability to develop English language educational materials) and dependent variables (students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening English language proficiency and students’ English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking and listening English proficiency) is positive. The study recommended the Ministry of Education through Rwanda Basic Education Board to avail enough English teaching and learning materials, including charts, textbooks and dictionaries which are adequate in enhancing English language proficiency mastery among students at an early age. All stakeholders of the education sector are recommended to support English teaching and learning activities in Rwanda, as it is the only and one shortcut for making Rwandans master the English language. Keywords: Teachers’ competency, English Language, English proficiency, Rwanda


Author(s):  
Abdul Karim ◽  
Zohur Ahmed ◽  
Faheem Shahed ◽  
Mohammad Rahman ◽  
Abdul Mohamed

Numerous donor-sponsored in-service training programs have been operated in Bangladesh for English language teachers. EIA was the last donor-funded project that incorporated school-based training. It claimed to acquaint teachers with technology coupled with a lot of interactive activities to be incorporated in the classroom. The aim of the study was to identify the challenges faced by the secondary-school English language teachers in incorporating the elements learned in EIA training into their classroom practices and to identify the solutions to overcome the challenges. The present study undertook reflective theory developed by Wallace (1991). To conduct this study, semi-structured interview with the teachers and semi-structured classroom observation were carried out. Teachers reported some issues that potentially precluded them from employing different activities in their classrooms. In addition, teachers elicited suggestions to overcome the challenges. The interview data were organized thematically. This study was intended as an eye opener for the policy makers in the small states.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 220-232
Author(s):  
Chetnath Panta

This study explores the perceptions and practices of the English language teachers to create autonomous learning environment in the context of Nepalese secondary EFL classroom. The study further unpacks the role of the teachers in creating better learning opportunities for learners so as to promote learner autonomy. The research is based on interpretive paradigm to look into kaleidoscopic view of variety of perspectives, classroom practices and emerging dilemmas of the teachers. Based on the findings, the research showcases the deep rooted social practices and myths to bring tensions in the relation between teachers and students. The school environment has to be homely and autonomy supportive. It seems pertinent to think over the concept of learner autonomy globally and act locally adapting the global trends and issues of teaching and learning, and at the same time, there is a dire need to remain mindful of the translated concept of learner autonomy thinking contextually and pragmatically.


RELC Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heath Rose ◽  
Anuchaya Montakantiwong

With the growth of English worldwide there have been numerous calls for a paradigm shift from teaching English as foreign language to teaching English as an international language (EIL). While there is a growing body of conceptual literature for teaching EIL, the voices of teachers remain severely underrepresented in this movement. As such, current EIL research is missing the perspective of this key stakeholder, who is in a prime position to report ‘on-the-ground’ challenges of integrating EIL approaches into English language classrooms. This article addresses this gap by offering an in-depth joint autoethnography of two English language teachers, who actively experimented with EIL-informed pedagogy at universities in Japan and Thailand, and who provide very different tales of the resulting challenges and successes. Data was collected via a duoethnographic approach, an innovative methodology which presents two juxtaposing dialogic narratives in order to show readers in-depth, personal and autobiographical accounts from both teachers’ experiences. Analysis of these narratives provides an illustration of the issues surrounding the implementation of research-informed innovations into ELT classrooms. The findings are discussed in terms of whether teaching EIL is a possible reality, or whether it remains an ideological fantasy.


Author(s):  
Darren A. Bryant

Purpose – In 1997, Joseph Boyle critiqued the Hong Kong Government’s policy of recruiting native-speaking teachers (NSTs) of English into secondary schools. Boyle examined NSTs from a post-colonial and socio-linguistic stance. He concluded that the scheme was “largely ineffective” and that efforts to expand the scheme would likely fail due to the government’s implicit lack of trust in the capacities of non-native-speaking teachers’ (NNSTs) of English. However, almost two decades later the scheme has expanded across the primary and secondary sectors. The purpose of this paper is to explore how changing educational contexts and reform efforts have influenced conceptions of NSTs as articulated in Hong Kong policy. Design/methodology/approach – The research is approached retrospectively through an interpretivist paradigm, analysing policy documents, implementation materials, evaluation reports, and interview transcripts. Over 41 scheme stakeholders participated in the interviews, inclusive of policy makers, government officials, academics, teacher educators, principals and teachers, who were active over different phases of the scheme. Findings – The intended role and perceived competencies of the NSTs have been impacted by imported education reforms leading to new rationales for maintaining and expanding NST deployment. These shifts, however, lead to new tensions among idealised images of NSTs, their capacities, and the aims of policy makers and scheme implementers. Originality/value – The value of this paper lies in its reconsideration of the role of NSTs in light of educational reform efforts influenced by global change. This perspective varies from conventional critiques that focus on NSTs’ and NNSTs’ differing capacities as English language teachers by considering the impact of historic developments on later policies, and the tendency of policy makers to legitimise reform by importing international innovations. Second, it demonstrates how idealised images of NSTs simultaneously justify policies and pose challenges to effective implementation.


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