scholarly journals The Implementation of Differentiated Instruction in English Language Learning to Students with Dyslexia in A’ Senior Class (A1) in an English Language Center: Action Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Xanthoula Evangelia Nikolaou ◽  
Dr.Makrina Zafiri ◽  
Dr.Vassiliki Pliogou

The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of differentiated instruction as a means of teaching English tο children with dyslexia (A’ senior level) at a private English Language Center, located in the suburbs of the city of Thessaloniki, in Greece. For the present action research, three ten-year-old male students participated in ten lessons designed according to the principles of differentiated instruction. The lessons took place once a week for one hour and they lasted for two and half months.  The methodology used for this small scale search, was qualitative, as semi-structured interviews were applied to both the students and their mothers. According to the findings of this small scale action research study, the method of differentiated teaching is an effective method of teaching a foreign language to students with dyslexia. 

Author(s):  
Adriana Maritza Rivera Barreto

This paper shares the results of a small-scale research project focused on using technology to motivate the use of English. Tenth semester students from a University in Tunja was the target group to develop the project. It also had as an objective to promote a virtual learning environment to boost English as a foreign language. A field diary, an online forum, a survey, and students’ artifacts were used to gather information in this action research study. Findings revealed two categories, firstly, Collaborative work to instill motivation which explains why students tend to work better while working in groups and secondly The use of technology to enhance language learning where it is described how the use of technology makes students more confident to learn English.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Shamim Kousar ◽  
Shabana Sartaj ◽  
Syed Waqar Shah ◽  
Shoukat Ali Lohar

In this modern world where everything is connected with new technologies and internet. Under control of the internet and new technological inventions, it is hard to undermine their contribution to foreign language teaching. This study pertains to the beginner level students doing English language diploma courses in their initial stage at a private English learning institute located in Sindh province of Pakistan. The study aims at investigating English teaching practices through SS method (Student to student) such as pair work and group study and reduce TS method (Teacher student) of teaching. In such methods modern technology such as visualizer and multimedia (modern technology) are great help for practicing a language teaching. The use of aids and tools is one of the useful resources for language learning and teaching in an easy manner. Most of the researchers’ interest lies in action research and carried out different cycles of action research such as planning, acting, observation and reflection. The study used convenient sampling to recruit participants (n=20). Data for the study included open-ended questionnaires, classroom observations and semi –structured interviews from students as well as researchers’ reflections as a supplementary source of data. The study finds multimedia usage crucial, especially by the young generation of language teachers who understand and support the idea of technology in the classroom, on the contrary to the older generation which criticizes and underestimates its importance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Roselle M. Soriano ◽  
Christian N. Escario ◽  
Pilipina B. Cagurangan ◽  
Annalene Grace E. Co ◽  
Chleo G. Pascual ◽  
...  

Numerous studies have found a positive connection between learners’ motivation towards foreign language and foreign language achievement. Drawn upon semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions among students, this study sheds light on the significant impact of motivation in English language learning. Further, this study explores the lived experiences of students and the factors influencing their motivation in learning the English Language. Purposeful sampling was to select participants in the different courses of Quirino State University, Cabarroguis Campus, Philippines. The results revealed that the teacher's influence, enjoyment in learning, desire to learn, parental influence, and classroom environment were the factors influencing students' motivation in learning the English Language. Thus, this study suggests that teachers should be aware of these factors of inspiration in their classrooms and consider these as significant parts in developing an English Language Intervention Program to motivate the students and improve their proficiency in learning the English Language.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Makrina Zafiri ◽  
Vassiliki Vakalopoulou ◽  
Vassiliki Pliogou

In recent years, dyslexia has become an important issue in the field of foreign language teaching and learning. In this research we will explore dyslexia in connection to teaching and learning a foreign language. More particularly, in this research, we will be probing into the teaching of German as a foreign language. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of the application of Differential Instruction, the application of the Grammar –Translation Method, the Audio-Visual Method, the Communicative Approach to language teaching as well as the Multisensory Method to a Greek student with dyslexia. The girl is in the first year of junior high school and is being taught German as a foreign language at school. The research method, which was applied, focused on qualitative research through the use of semi - structured interviews. This research is also a case study. Action research was conducted, for the needs of this small-scale research, through ten differentiated instruction lessons which were taught to a student with dyslexia. The student and her mother were the major sources of data collection. More particularly, the semi - structured interviews were conducted before and after the implementation of differentiated instruction with the student and her mother. We initially attempted to collect information through semi-structured interviews, on the student's family profile, and after conducting the ten lessons, we tried to verify the effectiveness of the approaches and methods which were applied. The results of this research showed that the effectiveness of differentiated instruction was immense as the student’s performance improved in the foreign language.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musarat YASMIN ◽  
Ayesha SOHAIL

Learner autonomy has been a focus of research for last three decades. Not only the nature of phenomenon was investigated but also its role in foreign language learning attracted researchers’ interests. The present paper examines the mutual creative relationship between learner autonomy and target foreign language acquisition. Following an interpretive paradigm, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the beliefs of 16 university teachers of English language teaching in four public sector universities of province Punjab, Pakistan. Results revealed a close creative connection between learner autonomy and English language learning. Teachers believed that autonomy in learners accelerates language learning. Major aspects of learner autonomy were reported fulfilling the perceived needs of foreign language learning. The study implied that fostering of autonomy in learners accelerates target language proficiency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-78
Author(s):  
Tuba Işık ◽  
Cem Balçıkanlı

Autonomy support is a recently defined role for teachers, and they are expected to help learners engage in autonomous out-of-class learning. With a focus on English language learning outside the classroom, this study intended to uncover English as a foreign language teachers’ practices related to autonomy support and to discuss the challenges faced by the teachers in this process. Eleven teachers working at the tertiary level at a state university in Turkey were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in three sessions to find out the extent to which the teachers help their learners become autonomous. The findings revealed that the teachers perform many autonomy-supportive behaviors which are feasible in language classrooms such as motivating students, giving language advice and promoting peer collaboration. In doing this, the teachers utilize five different support mechanisms: affective, resource, capacity, technology, and social support. On the other hand, the findings uncovered such constraints as crowded classes, overloaded curriculum, and low learner motivation. These challenges were perceived as barriers hampering teachers’ efforts for autonomy support. This study highlights the feasibility of creating an autonomy-supportive language learning environment and provides implications for teachers of English as a Foreign Language.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-79
Author(s):  
Isabela Giacomini ◽  
Laila Wilk Santos ◽  
Lucas Arruda Tacla ◽  
Theodora Rosskamp Kalbusch ◽  
Flavia Roberta Felippi Ruckl

This paper is the result of a research conducted by Languages students from the Universidade da Região de Joinville (Univille), whose main objectives were to understand, identify and re-signify the beliefs held by high school students concerning the process of learning the English language. For this purpose, questionnaires about the issue were applied as a way to understand what the convictions were and how the context of education influences over the said convictions. The participants of this research were students of public and private schools from the city of Joinville. The results were analyzed according to some basic authors, such as Brown (2015), McKay (2002) and Tanaka (2003), in addition to authors that investigate the field of applied linguistics. This research has reached very meaningful results and reflections, bringing to light the fact that, though not so different on both scenarios, the context had a strong influence in the way that students perceive the foreign language learning, and how they see themselves in this process.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Suzan Hammad Rafada ◽  
Abeer Ahmed Madini

Foreign language anxiety plays an essential role in language learning and negatively impacts on the whole learning process. This research aims to explore the Saudi learners’ perceptions of speaking anxiety in language classrooms and provide some effective and helpful solutions for reducing it. The sample of this study involved 10 Saudi female students, studying their foundation year at the English Language Institute (ELI), King Abdulaziz University. Their ages range between 18 to 20 years old. To reach a richer insight and better understanding of the research phenomenon, a qualitative approach was conducted. For gathering data, ten semi-structured interviews with ten Saudi female students from levels 102, 103, and 104 were used and then thematically analyzed using Nvivo 10 software. The qualitative data found that Saudi female students do feel worried and anxious in foreign language classrooms when speaking the foreign language. However, they showed a positive attitude and a willingness to improve their English speaking proficiency level as a way of reducing anxiety by watching English movies, using English internet sites, traveling abroad and talking to native speakers, doing more presentations, practice reading English books and joining English institutes during summer vacation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Maria Pavelescu ◽  
Bojana Petrić

This study explores the foreign language learning emotions of four EFL adolescent students in Romania and the ways in which their emotions emerge in their sociocultural context. Multiple qualitative methods were employed over a school semester, including a written task, semi-structured interviews with the learners and their teachers, lesson observations and English-related events outside the classroom. It was found that, while all four participants reported experiencing positive emotions in language learning, a distinction was identified in the intensity and stability of their emotions. Two participants expressed a strong and stable emotion of love towards English, while the other two participants experienced enjoyment in their English language learning without an intense emotional attachment to English. Unlike enjoyment, love was found to be the driving force in the learning process, creating effective coping mechanisms when there was a lack of enjoyment in certain classroom situations and motivating learners to invest greater effort into language learning in and out of the classroom. The findings thus revealed that, unlike enjoyment, love broadened cognition and maintained engagement in learning. The study emphasizes the role of strong, enduring positive emotions in teenage students’ language learning process.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoropoulou Aristea Aikaterini ◽  
Makrina Zafiri

Abstract The socio-cultural changes taking place in Greek classrooms render the modification and the revising of the existing teaching material imperative. In classes with cultural minorities students’ needs are put into the forefront and the teaching objectives are also adapted accordingly. However, such a challenging project requires trained teaching staff and the provision of relevant guidance.The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of Differentiated Instruction and Alternative Assessment in the teaching of English to diverse population classes. The research focuses on the effect the aforementioned approaches have on triggering students’ motivation and overall linguistic development. In particular, the study is an Action Research examining the outcomes of two groups of students attending the third grade of primary school. The experimental group was being taught through differentiated instruction, while the control group attended the lessons of a traditional class. For the collection of data several tools were employed regarding qualitative and quantitative information in order to render the conclusions reliable. A Needs Analysis questionnaire was distributed to the students, a pre- and post- test was also assigned, portfolio evaluation checklists were administered and student semi-structured interviews were conducted interpreted and analyzed.The findings of the study revealed the astounding effects that the implementation of alternative hands-on tasks and holistic skills development had on Romani students’ participation and foreign language learning. More specifically, the young students were more motivated and willing to become actively involved in the learning process.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document