scholarly journals Exploring EFL Teachers’ and Students’ Perceptions of Learner Autonomy in Egyptian Technical Schools

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safaa Mostafa Khalil ◽  
Amira Desouky Ali
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Teacher Interviews ◽  
Technical Schools ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Student Questionnaire

This study aimed at exploring the perceptions of learner autonomy of 265 students and 89 EFL teachers in technical secondary schools in Egypt. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through student questionnaire, teacher questionnaire, and teacher interviews. The findings revealed that the participants; students and teachers, have positive views about learner autonomy in language learning. Students were generally aware of the autonomy-boosting practices and teachers’ roles in fostering autonomy. Students were neutral about their ability to choose course materials and use appropriate strategies to learn English. The results also showed that EFL teachers had clear understanding of the concept of learner autonomy and were mostly aware of its importance in EFL classes. However, they perceived their students as non-autonomous due to individual and institutional challenges. Both students and teachers were unsure about the relation between cultural backgrounds and autonomy in language learning. Based on the results, some pedagogical implications and recommendations for future research for promoting learner autonomy in secondary technical schools have been provided.

scholarly journals EFL Teachers’ Perceptions on the Implementation of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning in Saudi Arabia During COVID-19: Challenges and Affordances

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-100
Author(s):  
Norah Alghamdi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Efl Teachers

This study aimed to explore EFL teachers’ perceptions regarding mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in elementary schools in Saudi Arabia, including their attitudes, levels of proficiency, and challenges they experienced regarding the use of MALL. The study also sought to investigate whether EFL teachers’ backgrounds have any significant impact on their perceptions of MALL. To this end, survey data were collected from 123 EFL teachers who have worked in elementary schools in Saudi Arabia. The results revealed teachers’ positive perceptions of MALL, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, participants stated that mobile learning is beneficial and has the potential to support and enhance EFL teaching. Most EFL teachers reported that they did not have a sufficient level of skills/abilities required to develop MALL activities and cited some challenges they faced. The results also indicate a significant difference among participants’ perceptions of MALL based on their professional development and teaching experience, but no difference based on their gender was found. These results indicate that placing a greater emphasis on offering professional development in MALL for Saudi EFL teachers could cultivate both greater proficiency and the ability to overcome challenges. This study concludes by providing recommendations on how to improve MALL implementation as well as directions for future research.

Saudi EFL Teachers’ Perspectives on Learner Autonomy

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fakieh Alrabai
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Frequency Counts ◽  
Method Approach

This paper reports the findings of a study that investigated the perceptions on learner autonomy of 136 English teachers in Saudi Arabia. Using a mixed-method approach that utilized a survey and an interview, teachers’ beliefs were explored considering their interpretations of the concept of learner autonomy and its role in foreign language learning, the sense of responsibility that those teachers have in helping their learners become autonomous, the extent to which they feel that their learners are autonomous, and the challenges that they face in promoting their learners’ autonomy. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequency counts and percentages) were calculated to determine the study findings. These findings revealed that the teachers in this study conceptualized the construct of learner autonomy according to four main orientations: technical, psychological, social, and political; the teachers’ notions of learner autonomy were most strongly associated with the psychological orientation. These teachers also emphasized that they were responsible for their students’ learning, and they perceived their students as passive, dependent and lacking initiative. They further identified several factors related to the learner, the institution, and the teacher as barriers that challenge them in their facilitation of learner autonomy, with some Saudi learner-related factors being the teachers’ main challenges in this regard.

scholarly journals Second Language Writing and Assessment: Voices from Within the Saudi EFL Context

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Obeid
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Writing Assessment ◽  
Second Language Writing ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Language Writing ◽  
Efl Students

This small scale, quantitatively based, research study aimed at exploring one of the most debated areas in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); and that is, the perceptions and attitudes of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers as well as EFL learners at an English Language Institute (ELI) at a major university in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz University, towards second language writing assessment. The research study involved, randomly selected twenty-two EFL teachers and seventy-eight EFL students between the period of September 2016 and December 2016. Two, purposefully designed, twenty-item, Likert scale questionnaires were distributed amongst the teachers and students. One for the participating EFL teachers and one for the participating EFL students. Data analysis using descriptive statistical methods indicated several concerns which EFL teachers and students have with regards to the writing assessment in general and to the obstacles EFL teachers face when teaching and assessing writing. In addition, there was an indication of general resentments and strong feelings amongst the EFL students where the majority indicated that they are sometimes graded unfairly and writing assessment should take another, more holistic approach rather a narrow one. The study makes recommendations for future research.

EFL Teacher's and Learners' Perspectives Towards ATODJ

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elahe Moladoust
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Dialogue Journals ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Qualitative Part

This study investigated EFL teachers' and students' perspectives towards Audiotaped Oral Dialogue Journals (ATODJs), as a computer-mediated communication (CMC) and a Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) task. The data came from 202 entries of ATODJs, gathered from15 female Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Teachers and students' evaluations of the whole program comprised of the qualitative part of the research. The results revealed that the majority of the participants found ATDOJs helpful. The strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges of ATODJs from the teacher's and the participants' viewpoints were discussed. Based on the results of the present study, it is highly recommended that EFL teachers and materials developers incorporate ATODJ tasks in the curriculum.

scholarly journals Application of Teachers’ Knowledge of Socratic Questioning in Developing EFL Critical Thinking Skills among Omani Post-Basic Learners

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moosa Ahmed Ali Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intervention Phase ◽  
Socratic Questioning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Teachers And Students

With the premise that effective use of Socratic Questioning in instructional practices is of vital importance in EFL/ESL classrooms, this study was undertaken to investigate application of Omani EFL teachers’ knowledge of Socratic Questioning (SQ) on Students’ Critical thinking (CT) in post basic schools. This study is conducted in two phases of investigation. Phase I examined the correlation between teachers’ knowledge and actual use of SQ. Phase II study investigated the application of Omani EFL teachers’ knowledge of SQ on students’ CT in post-basic schools. The present study made an attempt to (a) Determine the relationship between teachers’ knowledge of SQ and their actual use of SQ. (b) Ascertain whether there is any statistically significant difference between mean scores of those who are taught through SQ and those who are taught CT skills in a normal setting. (c) Identify CT strategies, the students were able to develop and apply at the end of the intervention phase. A total of 230 EFL teachers, which comprises a 100% of the total population of all EFL post-basic female teachers in Dhofar region of Oman, participated in this study. The multi-method procedures and data analyses showed that (a) There is a strong positive relationship between teachers’ perceived knowledge and their actual use of SQ; (b) There are significant differences between mean scores of those who were taught CT through SQ and those who were taught CT skills in a normal setting; (c) There is a clear evidence to suggest that students in the experimental group were able to develop effective CT strategies during the intervention phase. The findings of this study offer a number of implications: (a) For instructional practice that involves the teachers and students; (b) For policy and decision makers; and (c) For syllabus designers and testing and evaluation. In addition, it identifies and proposes certain areas related to pedagogy for future research.

scholarly journals PERSPECTIVES AND PRACTICES FROM INDONESIAN EFL TEACHERS ON LANGUAGE ADVISORS’ ROLES IN FOSTERING LEARNER AUTONOMY

JURNAL SPHOTA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-51
Author(s):  
Muhamad Ahsanu ◽  
Dyah Wijayawati
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Classroom Practices ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Reflective Practitioner ◽  
Problem Solver ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Common Term ◽  
Efl Teachers

Every teaching practitioner seemingly has come to a common term that language advising is essential in language learning especially in fostering language learner autonomy. However, the issue as to whether a teacher also plays the roles of an advisor or vice versa is still in controversy. This writing is not trying to claim which one is right and which one is not. This paper is just a little lantern on how actually the roles of a language advisor (LA) are exercised by teachers within the context of Indonesian EFL classrooms. Based on the data collected via interview suggest that they realized their role as a LA informally be it inside or outside their classroom practice. In actuating such LA roles, the teachers transformed into a motivator, awareness builder, student-teacher reflective practitioner, controller, and many times co-problem-solver. Presumably, the advising teachers in Indonesian setting not only feel responsible for transmitting knowledge and skills, but also for transforming ideas, advice, morality, values, etc. into their learners within and beyond classroom practices. The inkling of this paper is to descriptively address both theoretical and practical account of LA within the spectrum of learner autonomy.  

Language Simulations for Fostering Language Acquisition and Communicative Competence in Adult Second- Language Learners

2010 ◽  
pp. 210-222
Author(s):  
Angelene McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Traditional Language

Language teachers and students are making a mass exodus in theory and practice in the field of secondlanguage instruction. They are leaving behind boring drills, nonsensical memorizations and endless strings of grammatical rules and are demanding a shift from traditional language learning to modern language acquisition. Language acquisition means being culturally literate and commutatively competent in a language (Byrnes, 2001). This change requires finding effective ways to facilitate this paradigm shift. This chapter will try to answer the following questions: Can language simulations foster language acquisition and communicative competence in adult second-language learners? It will also explore: what language acquisition is and how it is obtained; theoretical foundations of language acquisition; learning simulations and what makes them effective; language simulations – how and why they work; what simulations can do to promote communicative competence; a practical example; future applications and importance of language simulations; and what future research is necessary to fulfill this promise.

What Makes an Effective EFL Teacher From Saudi Preuniversity Students’ Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 002205742098870
Author(s):  
Ali Abbas Falah Alzubi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Teaching Effectiveness ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers

The successful output of language learning process should ensure effective inputs by the key figures (teacher, student, stakeholder, and curricula) of education. This study aimed to examine preuniversity students’ perceptions on the attributes of an effective English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher in Saudi Arabia. Mixed-methods research design was applied to a sample of 231 students (135 males & 96 females) enrolled in the preparatory year program at a Saudi public university in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using two instruments: 5-point Likert-type scale and open-ended questions. The students’ responses on the closed questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive analysis and independent t test, whereas the data from the open-ended questions were analyzed by chi-square (cross tabulation) and MS Excel using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that 88% of Saudi preuniversity students agree on the high importance of the attributes of personality, methodology, and language knowledge that make an effective EFL teacher. Cultural awareness is of significance to the effectiveness of EFL teacher. However, gender was reported as an insignificant variable to the effectiveness of EFL teacher. In addition, fame, age, and country of EFL teachers did not reveal any connection to the teaching effectiveness of EFL teachers. Recommendations, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Exploring the Strength of the Process Writing Approach as a Pedagogy for Fostering Learner Autonomy in Writing Among Young Learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Marine Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Process Approach ◽  
Teaching Beliefs ◽  
Educational Goal ◽  
Esl Writing ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Young Learners

Learner autonomy is widely recognized as a desirable educational goal in second or foreign language learning. However, the generality of the concept often makes it difficult to either nurture or measure the related traits. The present study focused on learner autonomy in the area of writing, exploring the use of the process approach as a means to foster its development in terms of students’ emerging writing skills. The study was conducted in the naturalistic settings of three secondary school ESL writing classrooms in Hong Kong involving 70 student participants. Data gathered quantitatively with a questionnaire and qualitatively through self-assessment forms, learners’ journals and case studies suggest that the process approach can reduce students’ reliance on the teacher and their tendency to seek help from others, while leading to growth in their metacognitive knowledge about writing and their knowledge of themselves as writers. These developments are all signs of the emergence of learner autonomy in these young ESL writers. Overall, the findings suggest that the process approach can bring about similar changes in young writers despite variations in the cultural backgrounds and teaching beliefs of its implementers. It is argued that the strength of the process approach may lie in the stimulation of the growth of autonomous skills and attitudes in writing in young learners, and such a strength should be recognized by language educators who view learner autonomy as a major educational goal.

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