EFL Learners` Beliefs about Isolated and Integrated Grammar Teaching and Performance on a Grammar Recognition Test

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Sediqe Ebrahimi ◽  
Hossein Saadabadi Motlagh ◽  
Fatemeh Karampour
Keyword(s):  
Recognition Test ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Grammar Instruction ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Grammar Tests ◽  
Teaching Grammar

<p>Approaches to teaching grammar have changed dramatically since the 1970s when communicative language teaching was proposed. An increasing number of studies have investigated the adequacy of this kind of grammar instruction. Yet, few studies have been done to look at the preferences that learners have for these methods of focus-on-form instruction and its relationship with their performance on grammar tests. The purpose of the present study is to explore Iranian EFL learners` attitudes and preferences for isolated and integrated focus-on-form and their performance on a grammar recognition test. Participants were learners studying English in a private language teaching institute. They were requested to complete the questionnaire of the isolated and integrated focus on form and answer a TOEFL grammar recognition test. The analysis of findings using descriptive statistics and T-test showed that learners did not have clear preferences for different types of focus on form and that learners` attitude towards isolated and integrated focus on form was not related to their performance. students' The findings can provide useful information for teachers and instructors learners` preferences for different approaches.</p>

scholarly journals TEACHING GRAMMAR THROUGH TASK-BASED LANGUAGE TEACHING

Diacrítica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Catarina Castro
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
Explicit Teaching ◽  
Teaching Grammar

Although it is not a central aspect, grammar teaching - that is, the use of specific tasks and/or other types of strategies to draw students’ attention to certain linguistic aspects while maintaining a predominant focus on meaning – plays an important role in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), so it is incorrect to claim otherwise. However, it is also true that TBLT avoids explicit teaching of predetermined linguistic items, as in more traditional methods, since it is not considered compatible with the process of second language acquisition, in light of current evidence. Based on the concept of focus on form, the present article aims to exemplify how TBLT can integrate grammar and promote the attention of students of Portuguese as a Foreign Language to structures and linguistic aspects, by using focused tasks and methodological strategies.

scholarly journals Task-based Learning Applied: Satisfactory Grammar Coverage

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Mehran Esfandiari
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Grammar Instruction ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Focus On Forms

Not only did the emergence of the idea of communicative competence result in grammar instruction being moved from its central position in traditional approaches, but it also helped to pave the way for the adoption of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). As a tenet of language teaching methodology, the belief that languages are acquired through communication has appeared to be central to the development of task-based approaches to language teaching. Built upon the idea of learner-centeredness and CLT models of language learning, task-based learning (TBL) comes into play and encourages language learning through authentic acts of communication, interaction, and negotiation of meaning. With its main focus on fluency rather than accuracy, TBL has been criticized for inadequate grammar coverage. By drawing a distinction between a task and a grammar exercise and between focus on form and focus on forms, this paper argues that there are enough opportunities for satisfactory grammar coverage throughout a TBL lesson.

scholarly journals Tanzanian Secondary School Learners’ Beliefs about EFL Learning, Teaching and Testing: Exploratory Account

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Zelda Elisifa Sam
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
National Language ◽  
Language Curriculum ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Teaching Learning

The current study explored EFL secondary school learners’ beliefs about language teaching, learning and testing in Tanzania. Specifically, it sought to find out the EFL learners’ beliefs about language assessment, explore the EFL learners’ beliefs about language learning and establish degree of EFL learner variability in their beliefs about language teaching. The study involved 48 secondary school learners, 36 (75%) males and 12 (25%) females. From these 20 (all boys) (50%) were from a private secondary school in Temeke and the rest (16 boys and all 12 girls) from another secondary school in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were collected via a questionnaire, which was one and only tool for data gathering and it consisted of 25 items, five on language assessment, 9 on language teaching and 11 on language learning to which the respondents were asked to react and register their level of agreement about pre –developed assertions. Findings showed that while the learners differed in their beliefs about language teaching, a grand majority shared a belief about primacy of grammar teaching and on role of teacher in error correction and disfavoured communicative language teaching. The same was the case for language assessment where the most shared belief was testing grammar and correcting errors. It is concluded that these set of beliefs are hinged upon years of grammar-focussed teaching in Tanzania which still characterize language teaching in Tanzania despite the introduction of communicative language teaching approach in the national language curriculum more than ten years ago.

Teaching Chinese as a foreign language: A classroom study on the timing of grammar around a task

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Baralt ◽  
Marcela López Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
The United States ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Grammar Teaching

AbstractContrary to common belief, there is a place for grammar teaching in task-based language teaching (TBLT). It is still an unresolved debate, however, what the most effective timing of grammar teaching is around a task. Citing theory, some methodologists argue against grammar in the pre-task phase (e. g., Willis 1996. A framework for task-based learning. Harlow: Longman; Willis and Willis 2007. Doing task-based teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press), while others argue for it (e. g., DeKeyser 1998. Beyond focus on form: Cognitive perspectives on learning and practicing second language grammar. In C. Doughty & J. Williams (eds.), Focus on form in classroom second language acquisition, 42–63. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Lightbown 1998. What have we here? Some observations on the influence of instruction on L2 learning. In R. Phillipson, E. Kellerman, L. Selinker, M. Sharwood Smith & M. Swain (eds.), Foreign language pedagogy research: A commemorative volume for Claus Faerch, 197–212. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters and Nunan 2004. Task-based language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). Still other methodologists have suggested that a pre-task grammar explanation renders TBLT more culturally appropriate in Confucian-heritage teaching contexts (e. g., Carless 2007. The suitability of task-based approaches for secondary schools: Perspectives from Hong Kong. Schools: Perspectives from Hong Kong. System 35. 595–608; Luk 2009. Preparing EFL students for communicative task performance: The nature and role of language knowledge. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching 19. 67–90). None of these claims have been tested empirically. The present paper attempts to contribute to that gap by reporting on a case study that took place in a Chinese as a foreign language classroom in the United States. We examined how a Chinese teacher’s grammar teaching in the pre- versus post-task phase differentially affected the task outcome, as well as the teacher’s and learners’ beliefs of which was most effective. One Chinese teacher and 12 learners participated in the study. Results showed that the task outcome was comprised of more language production, accuracy, and modified output, as well as 15 times more interactional turns, when the grammar was explained in the post-task phase. However, the teacher overwhelmingly valued a grammar explanation in the pre-task phase. Learners were equally divided. We discuss how the methodological timing of grammar shaped discourse differently for the pragmatic ends of tasks, and make suggestions for Chinese teachers new to TBLT.

scholarly journals PEMBELAJARAN KAIDAH BAHASA INDONESIA DAN KETERAMPILAN BERBAHASA SECARA TERPADU DENGAN PENDEKATAN FOCUS ON FORM PADA SISWA SEKOLAH MENENGAH PERTAMA

LITERA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumarwati Sumarwati ◽  
Atikah Anindyarini ◽  
Amir Fuady
Keyword(s):  
Text Comprehension ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Instructional Process ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
Task Based Instruction ◽  
Teaching Grammar

This study aims to: (1) map the students’ needs to enhance their understanding of grammar (2) map the teachers’ needs to overcome students’ low understanding of grammar, and (3) design a grammar teaching model. This was a research and development study. The research subjects were Grade VIII students of twelve junior high schools. Theresults indicate that (1) the majority of students say that it is necessary to have more intensive teaching and learning of Indonesian grammar; (2) they state that it is necessary to learn all the components of grammar more intensively; (3) all teachers do not deliver the knowledge about grammar beyond the competency standard; (4) the main problemsthat teachers experience in teaching grammar through an integration of all language skills are materials preparation, strategy selection, and assessment; and (5) the teaching model to implement “focus on form” includes instructional process, interactive feedback, text comprehension enhancement, task-based instruction, collaborative tasks, and discoursebased approach.

scholarly journals Teacher Cognition and Grammar Teaching in a Japanese High School

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masateru Nishimuro ◽  
Simon Borg
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Pedagogical Choices ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Teaching Grammar ◽  
The Relationship

In this paper we examine the relationship between teachers’ practices and cognitions in teaching grammar. A qualitative analysis of classroom observations and interviews with three experienced Japanese teachers of English highlights both the key features of these teachers’ pedagogies in teaching grammar and the cognitions underpinning their work. Their practices were characterized by detailed teacher-fronted explanations of grammatical forms, metalinguistic explicitness, and the use of the L1. These practices were underpinned by the teachers’ beliefs about the value of grammar, though there was little evidence that the teachers’ pedagogical choices were consciously informed by current theoretical or methodological ideas in the field of L2 teaching. Rather, the approach to grammar adopted by the teachers had a strong experiential basis and was influenced by a desire to motivate and promote the well-being of their students as well as by contextual factors such as learners and colleagues. 近年、教師認知の観点からCommunicative Language Teaching (CLT) の導入に関わる考察が多くなされているが、本稿は日本の英語教育の主な関心であり続ける文法指導にその焦点をあてた。日本の高校に勤める経験豊かな３人の日本人英語教師各々に授業観察と観察前後のインタビューからなる質的調査を実施し、文法指導の実践とその実践の根拠となる彼らの教育的信条や認知との関係性を探った。日本語を用いた教師主導の文法形式の説明とメタ言語学的明示性に象徴された彼らの実践は、文法指導に価値をおく彼らの信条が根拠となっていたが、その指導法を採用する判断においては第二言語（外国語）教育分野の理論、方法論を基にしたという根拠はほぼなかった。むしろ彼らの指導法は、教師自身の学習・指導経験が大きな基礎をなし、学習者の動機を高め彼らに人間として良く成長してほしいという願い、学習者や同僚といったコンテクスト要因に影響されていた。

scholarly journals AN INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL FOR ENHANCING EFL LEARNERS’ SPEAKING PROFICIENCY

EDULANGUE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-97
Author(s):  
Syarifudin Syarifudin
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Grammatical Competence ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Speaking Skill

Due to the central role of speaking skill and its escalating demands of instruction in various levels of education in Indonesia, a myriad of teaching approaches and strategies have been applied to equip learners with the competences enabling the development of this skill. As a widespread approach to English language teaching (ELT),  which  gains  its  popularity  within  the context  of  EFL, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) is geared towards learners’ communicative competence comprising of grammatical competence, discourse competence, sociolinguistic competence, and strategic competence as the underlying abilities of speaking proficiency. The development of these competences can be better facilitated when learning takes its place both in and outside classrooms as the latter provides potential promises for learners’ speaking proficiency development. For this reason, this paper presents learners’ challenges for learning speaking, the model activities in and outside classrooms, the importance of speaking instruction and the components of communicative competence and speaking proficiency.

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