scholarly journals Improving Listening Skills of Saudi EFL Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen Salem Alseadan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Language Teachers

This is an introductory investigation of English listening challenges of Saudi EFL learners. This study attempts to find out the underlying reasons that cause Saudi EFL learners to end up with low English listening performance as it is indicated in the annual reports of ETS educational company. This study follows a qualitative methodology since it seeks in-depth details through implementing a semi-structured interview. The participants were totally four; a) three Saudi EFL learners, and b) one professor. This study founded that the proposed main reasons that can cause Saudi EFL learners to perform poorly in listening performance exams are related to students, English language teachers, curricula, and assessment practices.

scholarly journals Listening Skills Teaching Practice at Secondary Level: Gondar Secondary Schools in Focus

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 103-117
Author(s):  
Birhan Assefie
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
English Language Teachers

The objective of this study was to assess the exercise of teaching listening skill at general secondary schools found in Gondar city. Thus, adopting descriptive survey design, a total of 115(male=90 & female=25) English language teacher who taught grade 9 students participated in the study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaire whereas the semi-structured interview was used to collect the qualitative data. Data analysis was undertaken using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitatively, frequency and percentage were used whereas thematic analysis was used for analyzing the qualitative data. Findings show that the majority of English language teachers use the bottom-up approach during the teaching of the listening skill. Findings also show that English language teachers failed to properly and fully implement the pre, while and post listening activities. Findings also show that teachers’ emphasis on grammar, teachers’ preference to explanation and demonstration than to create students listening opportunities, teachers’ preference to teacher-centered approach, teachers’ reluctance to provide students opportunities to exercise listening were some of the challenges facing the class room exercise of teaching the listening skill. Finally, it is recommended that English language teachers should clearly understand and properly exercise the pre, while and post-listening activities in the process of teaching the listening skills. Moreover, practical in-service trainings on how to teach listening skill should be given to teachers  

scholarly journals Teaching and Learning Vocabulary: What English Language Learners Perceive to Be Effective and Ineffective Strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Seyyed Hatam Tamimi Sa’d ◽  
Fereshte Rajabi
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Language Teachers

Vocabulary constitutes an essential part of every language-learning endeavour and deserves scholarly attention. The objective of the present study was three-fold: 1) exploring Iranian English language learners’Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs), 2) examining language learners’ perceptions of vocabulary learning, and 3) exploring Iranian English language teachers’ Vocabulary Teaching Strategies (VTSs). In total, 145  intermediate learners of English as a foreign language, consisting of 114 males and 31 females aged 15 to 27, participated in the study. The triangulated data were collected using three tools: questionnaires, interviews, and class observations. Sixty-seven learners (31 females and 36 males) filled out a 56-statement questionnaire, adopted and adapted from Takač (2008) and translated into Persian. The questionnaire comprised two parts, enquiring as to the learners’ VLSs and the teachers’ VTSs. The findings indicated that females and males differed significantly in their reported VLSs and their teachers’ use of various VTSs. Additionally, 78 learners were interviewed as to their perceptions of effective and ineffective VLSs as well as VTSs. The findings revealed that the most effective VLSs were reported to be: a) reciting, repeating and listening to words, b) using words, and c) memorising words while the most effective VTSs revolved around: a) explanation, b) repetition, and c) dictation. The observations also confirmed the findings obtained via the questionnaire and interviews. In general, the findings are indicative of the limited repertoire of vocabulary acquisition techniques employed by Iranian EFL learners, hence the need for strategy training in how to acquire vocabulary. 

scholarly journals Use of Action Songs and Total Physical Response to Promote the Development of Listening Skills among Year 4, Low Enrolment-Tamil Vernacular Primary School Students in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uthaya Kumar, S. ◽  
Sandaran, S. C.
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
School Type ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
School Students ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Physical Response ◽  
English Language Teachers

Total Physical Response (TPR) is built around the coordination of speech and actions. Action songs promote dance or acts while singing. In this study, we look at action songs as part of TPR to investigate its effectiveness in enhancing students’ listening skills to develop their mastery of the English Language. Seven Year 4 students from a Low Enrolment (SKM) Tamil Vernacular Primary school type (SJKT) were selected as the participants of a within-group experimental design. Upon completing a pre-test on listening skill, students were given six treatment lessons, whereby one hour per lesson was allocated. The treatment was conducted once a week, for every listening lesson. The data was collected while and after the pupils were taught through a series of lessons or interventions that incorporated songs and TPR to complete a variety of listening tasks. The finding shows that even though action songs and TPR are not commonly used among English Language teachers, teachers should implement the method especially for students from Low Enrolment Vernacular Primary School Type as the students in this study showed a significant increase in their post intervention scores of the listening test. The findings also discusses SJKT English Language teachers perceptions on the use of songs and TPR and suggests that there is still a lack of understanding among the teachers on the potential benefits of action songs and TPR for their particular students who have high levels of anxiety and inhibitions to learning English. 

scholarly journals Role of Content Schema in Reading Comprehension Among Saudi EFL Students: EFL Teachers’ Perspective and Use of Appropriate Classroom Strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
AbdulRahman Al Asmari ◽  
Choudhary Zahid Javid
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Reading Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Background Knowledge ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Classroom Strategies ◽  
English Language Teachers

This empirical survey investigates the perceptions of English language teachers towards the role of content schemata in reading comprehension among Saudi EFL learners. Furthermore, it also attempts to explore the use of appropriate classroom strategies employed by English language teachers to activate content schemata to enhance learners’ reading comprehension. A modified Likert-scale strongly-agree to strongly-disagree questionnaire was administered to 61 male and female EFL faculty from English Language Center (ELC), Taif University to generate data. The findings have reinforced that background knowledge of Saudi EFL learners help them significantly in reading faster with better understanding. It has also been reported that pre-reading strategies of brainstorming, classroom discussions about the topic and questioning are the most favored ones to activate Saudi EFL learners’ background knowledge. It has also been learnt that while-reading strategies of directing the students’ attention to signal words, main idea, important phrases, titles, subtitles and effectively linking the target text to their students’ cultural and social experiences also contribute towards reading comprehension. The findings have also revealed that English language teachers consider low English language proficiency and poor reading skills of Saudi ELF leaners as well as the lack of appropriate teaching aids as the major obstacles in activating the content schemata. Several recommendations have been forwarded which have significant pedagogical implications in materializing much sought-after goal of effective ELT in the KSA by ensuring better reading skills among Saudi EFL learners.

scholarly journals Use of Mobile Dictionary in University Students’ Class: A Study of Teachers’ Perspective in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Muhammad Din
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
College Teachers ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Class ◽  
English Language Teachers

Revolutionary changes have been brought about in teaching and learning environment with the introduction of electronic formats in classrooms. Mobile dictionaries are potentially valuable learning tools today. This study has strived to get insight into the prospects of using mobile dictionary in an EFL classroom of university students of Pakistan with reference to teachers’ perspective. The aims of this study are to know foreign language teachers’ point of view regarding the use of mobile dictionary in English class, investigate the challenges in introducing this e-tool and explore the benefits EFL learners can have through the use of mobile dictionaries in English class. To achieve the objectives of this quantitative study, the researcher has got a questionnaire filled by fifty English language teachers working at different government colleges in Pakistan. The questionnaire which was used to collect data from college teachers consisted of two sections. The first section comprised of fifteen questionnaire items on five-point Likert scale the second section consisted of two open-ended questions. The reliability of the first part of the questionnaire was computed through SPSS (XX). It has been found that most of the college teachers are of the view that the use of mobile dictionary in an EFL class of university students will help them learn vocabulary, pronunciation of words and word origin. These EFL learners can also access authentic content and develop their language competence through the use of mobile phone dictionary in the class. Apart from this, the participants have also pointed out some problems which can be a hindrance in using mobile dictionary in an EFL classroom in the context of Pakistan.

scholarly journals Investigating the Interplay between Age Range and Vocabulary Learning among EFL Learners

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Hamed Barjesteh ◽  
Lida Farsi
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Age Range

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between age range and vocabulary learning among pre-intermediate Iranian EFL learners. To this aim, 50 pre-intermediate Iranian EFL learners, male (N= 20) and female (N=30), were selected from a private language institute based on their performance on the Oxford Placement Test (OPT). They were divided into two groups: teenager and adult learners. Before intervention, a pretest of vocabulary was conducted to determine students’ vocabulary knowledge.  Then, vocabularies were presentenced in dialog, word power and reading texts using a monolingual dictionary in five sessions interval for the both groups. After the intervention, a post-test of vocabulary was administered to examine the possible improvement. The data obtained from the administration of the pre-test and the post-test were analyzed using SPSS software. The results revealed that there was no significant relationship between the performance of teenager and adult groups in their vocabulary learning; and there was no significant difference between the performance of teenager and adult groups in their vocabulary learning. This research potentially has some implications that may help English language teachers, students, EFL learners and educational syllabus designers.

scholarly journals POLICY CHANGE IMPLEMENTATION: THE CASE OF THE CEFR IN MALAYSIAN ESL CLASSROOMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-317
Author(s):  
Nur Ashiquin C. Alih ◽  
Abdul Halim Abdul Raof ◽  
Masdinah Alauyah Md. Yusof
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Education System ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Readiness For Change ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Change Implementation ◽  
English Language Education ◽  
English Language Teachers

Background and purpose: With rapid global development happening in the world today, the field of education has been awash with various change forces. In an effort to ensure its system is globally competitive, Malaysia has taken a step to align its English language education system to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). However, any change in policy is not without problems and challenges as studies have shown that challenges were inevitable and stakeholders’ buy-in on the new change is necessary. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the challenges faced by teachers in implementing the CEFR in Malaysian ESL classrooms, their belief on this new reform and their readiness to implement the CEFR.   Methodology: A mixed-method design was utilized with the use of questionnaire and semi structured interview as means for data collection. 365 English language teachers responded to the questionnaire while 15 English language teachers participated in interview sessions.   Findings: The data revealed five challenges namely teachers’ motivation, materials, time, students’ proficiency level and facilities. Despite facing multiple challenges, all teachers exhibited positive belief towards the adoption of the CEFR. The study also showed that although teachers were emotionally ready to accept the change, their cognitive readiness for change however is dependent upon three important facets namely time, collective effort and adequate materials.   Contributions: The study provides insights into the change in policy involving the CEFR implementation in the Malaysian English language education system which contributes to the scarce literature on the implementation of CEFR.   Keywords:  Policy implementation, challenges in policy change, teachers’ belief, Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), readiness for change.   Cite as: C. Alih, N. A., Abdul Raof, A. H., & Md. Yusof, M. A. (2021). Policy change implementation: The case of the CEFR in Malaysian ESL classrooms.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(2), 296-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp296-317

scholarly journals Challenges Affecting the Implementation of £50 Million In-Service Training Program for English Teachers in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Karim ◽  
Zohur Ahmed ◽  
Faheem Shahed ◽  
Mohammad Rahman ◽  
Abdul Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Classroom Practices ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Small States ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
School Based ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
English Language Teachers

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.

scholarly journals Comparison of Native and Non-native English Language Teachers’ Evaluation of EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills: Conflicting or Identical Rating Behaviour?

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Emrah Ekmekci
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
T Test ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Pearson Product Moment Correlation ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Speaking Skills

<p>Assessing speaking skills is regarded as a complex and hard process compared with the other language skills. Considering the idiosyncratic characteristics of EFL learners, oral proficiency assessment issue becomes even more important. Keeping this situation in mind, judgements and reliability of raters need to be consistent with each other. This study aims to compare native and non-native English language teachers’ evaluation of EFL learners’ speaking skills. Based on the oral proficiency scores in the final exam conducted at a state university in Turkey, the study analysed the scores given by native and non-native English language teachers to 80 EFL students attending preparatory classes in the 2014-2015 academic year. 3 native and 3 non-native English language teachers participated in the study. Data were collected through an analytic rating scale and analysed with the help of <em>independent samples t-test</em> and <em>Pearson product-moment correlation test</em>. Pearson product-moment correlation test (calculated as 0,763) indicated that the raters had high inter-rater reliability coefficients. T-test results revealed that there is no statistically significant difference in the total scores given by both groups of teachers. The study also investigated the different components of speaking skills such as fluency, pronunciation, accuracy, vocabulary, and communication strategies with regard to the existence of significant difference between the scores. The only component which created a statistically significant difference was found to be pronunciation, which was expected prior to the research. In line with the overall findings of the study, it can be concluded that native and non-native English language teachers display almost identical rating behaviour in assessing EFL students’ oral proficiency.</p>

scholarly journals ESL Teachers and Diagnostic Assessment: Perceptions and Practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
Folasade Esther Jimola ◽  
Graceful Onovughe Ofodu
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Diagnostic Assessment ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Esl Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Assessment Techniques ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Teachers Attitudes

Diagnostic assessment is an indispensable aspect of pedagogy. Past research has shown that teachers’ perceptions and attitudes to diagnostic assessment could influence their classroom practices. This article discusses teachers’ perceptions of diagnostic assessment, reiterates the essence of diagnostic assessment in English language classrooms, explores teachers’ attitudes and utilization of diagnostic assessment techniques, and also investigates the factors influencing teachers’ knowledge of assessment practices. To achieve these objectives, an empirical study on English language teachers’ perceptions of diagnostic assessment, teachers’ attitudes and utilization of diagnostic assessment techniques and factors influencing teachers’ knowledge of assessment practices was conducted. The results show that the majority of English language teachers in the sample have inaccurate perceptions of the purpose of diagnostic assessment and also have negative attitudes to diagnostic assessment in classrooms. The results of the survey indicate that schooling, professional coursework and context are factors that influence ESL teachers’ classroom assessment practices.

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