“Teaching Strategies and Techniques to Motivate Students Learning English in the Preparatory Schools – Qatar”, an Action Study

Educational process has a great impact on the motivation of the learners, and these incentives (motives) are under the control of the teacher who directs the educational process. Accordingly, this action research is carried out to examine the effectiveness of certain teaching/ learning strategies and techniques applied for grade nine students chosen from Fatima Al-Zahra Preparatory School- Qatar to raise their motivation for learning English language. The findings show that external motivations (extrinsic) are among the most important factors in the success of learning English language, which are compensatory factors in the absence of the spontaneous desire to learn that language. The selected students have undergone varieties of active learning strategies, resources and tensive use of modern technology. The methods that are implemented in this study, include the designed questionnaire and the official exams sheets conducted on the targeted students. However, both qualitative and quantitative approaches are used to analyze the data. The present study shows that the students are academically weak in English language, not well motivated to learn English, the learning strategies, resources, and techniques utilized in the classroom proved to be effective to motivate the students and are reflected on the academic performance of the students. Therefore, the data analysis of the success ratio among the targeted students has shown an increase from 41.5% to 91.5% after the application of new strategies and techniques.

Administrative Creativity and Its relationship with Transformational Leadership in Scholastic Sport Activity Directorate in Baghdad from Physical Educators’ Point of View

The importance of the research lies in creative administration and transformational leadership as new topics that play an integral role in scholastic sport development. The researchers came up with a question that they aim to answer through this researcher: what is the relationship between creative administration and transformational leadership? They used the descriptive method on (250) physical educators in preparatory school. The data was collected and treated using proper statistical operations to conclude that physical educators have the ability to communicate with others and affect others positively. There is a relation between transformational leadership and creativity in physical educators.

Using Some Mobile Applications for Teaching Mathematics During COVID-19 Pandemic Through Providing a Suitable Environment

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other crises create problems for the normal teaching process in the class. In this case, alternate teaching techniques such as mobile applications are required for continuing the teaching and learning process. This research focuses on teaching mathematics in class 12 by using applications (available on mobiles, laptops, desk tops, iPads etc.), namely Phone, Viber, WhatsApp and Messenger so as to provide an appropriate teaching environment. Class 12 in Gawher Preparatory School (both scientific and literary branches) in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region-Iraq was selected for this study. The sample sizes for both scientific and literary branches during the academic year 2019-2020 were 31 and 53, respectively. Pre and post tests were administrated to check pupils’ achievements. Videos were prepared and uploaded to the teaching groups in Viber and Messenger. Suitable environments for teaching mathematics to class 12 were provided via direct communication, and questions and answers were provided. The results revealed that average scores for pre and post tests for the scientific branch were 20 % and 63.33 %, respectively; while for the literary branch were 17.5 % and 50.83 %, respectively. The mobile applications experimented with have led to the enhancement of the mathematics teaching process outside normal classes and particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown periods and crisis. Also, COVID-19 lockdowns decreased noise pollution, water consumption, production of wastewater, generation of solid waste, and expenditures at schools. Additionally, a number of problems, benefits, and recommendations have been outlined; for instance, providing internet and continuous electricity for schools, supplying mobile phones or laptops for pupils with reasonable prices, and running training courses for teachers and pupils are essential.

A CEFR BASED EVALUATION OF B1+ LEVEL PREPARATORY PROGRAM AT A TURKISH STATE UNIVERSITY: THE APPLICATION OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS SCALE

Despite the centrality of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in language teaching and assessment, studies investigating its learning outcomes in language program evaluations are quite scarce. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a modular English preparatory school program through the Foreign Language Skills Scale. The research sample consists of 357 preparatory school students having attained B1+ level of proficiency in the program. The results revealed that while the language program designed to be in line with the CEFR guidelines, in general, serves for the needs of the students, there are still some discrepancies between the learning outcomes of B1+ and opinions of students about their competencies, especially in listening sub-skills.

Analyzing the Correlation Between Ideal L2 Self and Willingness to Communicate in L2 among EFL Learners

This study aimed to investigate the learners’ levels of ideal L2 self and Willingness to Communicate (WTC) not only inside but also outside the EFL classrooms and the correlation between these two constructs. Thus, the research was designed as a qualitative study, and the correlational research design was implemented to seek answers to research questions. The participants were 61 EFL learners who studied at the preparatory school of a state university. The data collected by conducting the ideal L2 self scale and WTC survey for inside and outside the classroom were analyzed through descriptive statistics, and Pearson correlation test after the normality of the data was ensured. The findings showed that the vast majority of learners had moderate levels of ideal L2 self and WTC, and a small minority reported low levels of WTC and ideal L2 self. Besides, the findings pointed out that WTC and ideal L2 self are correlated with a statistically significant relationship in a positive manner. The study first discusses the contradictory and concurrent findings with respect to previous studies conducted in different contexts like Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Iran and Turkey, then concludes with recommendations for teachers and further research.

Substance use and associated factors among preparatory school students in Kolfe-Keranyo sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background Substance abuse is a worldwide problem that primarily affects adolescents, resulting in chronic health complications as well as psychosocial challenges and economic losses. However, the magnitude of the problem and the factors that contribute to it are not well studied in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. As a result, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and associated factors of substance use among preparatory school students in the Kolfe-Keraniyo sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methodology An institution-based cross-sectional study of 383 randomly selected preparatory school students in the Kolfe-Keraniyo sub-city was conducted. The data were gathered using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with substance use based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with p values less than 0.05. Result This study revealed that the lifetime prevalence of substance use among preparatory students in Kolfe-Keraniyo sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was 26.5% (95% CI, 22.2, 30.7%). Specifically, 16% drunk alcohol, 9.6% smoked cigarette, and 9.4% chewed khat. The 16.3% were current users, of which 8.3% were drinkers, 6.4% were smokers, and 5.9% were khat chewers. Substance use was significantly associated with being male (AOR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.284, 8.613), having alcohol drinking family member (AOR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.704, 9.196), having khat chewing family member (AOR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.161, 7.070), poor school substance use controlling rule (AOR, 6.64; 95% CI, 1.863, 23.687), availability of substance retailing shops in residential areas (AOR, 2.9; CI, 1.303, 6.606), strong relationship with parents (AOR, 0.005; 95% CI, 0.001, 0.026), and being member of school mini-media (AOR, 0.177; 95% CI, 0.048, 0.657). Conclusion According to the findings of this study, one-quarter of the study participants were substance users. Alcohol, khat, and cigarettes were all commonly used substances. Gender, parent-child relationship, family member substance use history, school substance use controlling rules, school mini-media and pro-social involvement, and the availability of substance retailing shops were all strongly associated with substance use. Strengthening school rules on substance use, controlling substance retailing shops near schools and residential areas, and providing students with health education are all strategies for reducing substance use among students.

The Relationship between Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Teacher` Teaching Anxiety and the Mastery of Daily Lesson Plan

Good teaching is the most basic important thing has teachers try to do in their classes and it is also in it the most frequently used language skills in communication activities. It plays an important role in the language learning process and facilitates the use of language skills. In this study the researchers tackled teaching anxiety that refers to the psychological response of a person to teaching task, which is determined by effect of feelings, believes and behaviors. And the relationship between teaching anxiety and the mastery of the daily lesson plan, which teaching means a system that enables a teacher to express himself/herself effectively with his/her interlocutors of a target language. The study questions are: Do Iraqi EFL preparatory school teachers have teaching anxiety? Do Iraqi EFL preparatory school teachers have mastery daily lesson plan? And is there any relationship between teaching anxiety and mastery daily lesson plan? Accordingly, the current study aims at finding out: Iraqi EFL preparatory school teachers’ teaching Anxiety level, Iraqi EFL preparatory school teachers’ mastery daily lesson plan level, and the relationship between Iraqi EFL preparatory School teachers` teaching anxiety and the mastery of the daily lesson plan. The sample of the present study consists of (30) male and female teachers from Iraqi EFL preparatory school teachers chosen randomly from Baghdad city.To achieve the aims of the present study, two instruments have been applied by the researchers, English Foreign language teaching anxiety scale and a English Foreign language lesson plan scale is constructed by the researchers themselves. After ensuring the validity and reliability of the instruments, the instruments have been applied and the data have been collected. Then a number of statistical tools have been used to analyze the obtained data.

The authentic activities and mathematical modelling processes for preparatory school pupils

The aim of this study of the effect of authentic activities in teaching mathematics on mathematical modeling processesThe authentic activities were used by conducting the experiment, where work was with 45 pupils 13th years old of preparatory school (It’s the second stage of the educational stages in Egypt, and it’s the next stage after Primary school) in Al Qalyubia (One of the cities in Egypt) in the 2020/2021 academic year and studying this effect. The results showed, that value of the impact size through the value of h2 was calculated 0.79, and this meant the strong effect of the authentic activities on the development of mathematical modeling processes, where authentic activities lead to the development of mathematical modeling processes among the pupils because Authentic Activities provides pupils with the opportunity to study real-life problems, analyze them from various aspects and provide a correct picture of the problem that contributes to the increase of students' awareness of what they are learning.

Using Padriseup as a Collaborative Writing Tool in Higher Education EFL Classes

Due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a rapid transformation of the learning and teaching environment from face-to-face to fully online classes. Students being at home in isolated home environments challenged the language learning process profoundly which forced teachers to update and adjust their instructional strategies and activities by including collaborative learning elements. Implementing novel technologies with OCL approach might act as a considerably efficient factor if learner characteristics and the educational setting are taken into consideration seriously. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to explore an online collaborative writing tool and students’ opinions towards it. The participants of the study consist of 30 students studying at a preparatory school at a state university in Istanbul. To this aim, both quantitative and qualitative methods have been benefited. According to the quantitative data, the calculated mean scores of the items revealed that the majority of students found the experience of OCW positive. As for the qualitative data, the content analysis showed that the majority of the students reported the benefits of interaction and social learning taking place in collaborative learning, and there were also some disadvantages mentioned by the participants such as disagreements, social loafing, and personality-related problems.

The Perceptions of English Preparatory School Instructors on Online Education through the Community of Inquiry in the Covid-19 Process

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions and experiences of English preparatory school instructors from the perspective of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework in online education settings during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study employs a mixed-methods research design, specifically concurrent triangulation design. The quantitative phase of the study includes a survey completed by 140 prep school instructors using snowball sampling. The survey examines the perceptions of participants concerning the three elements of the community of inquiry, teaching presence, social presence and cognitive presence, as well as the challenges the participants faced during online education. The qualitative phase comprises semi-structured interviews with 6 of the participants who took the survey. The interview questions focus on the advantages and disadvantages of online education along with the participants’ efforts to create interaction in their classes. Data from the survey were analysed using SPSS in the form of descriptive statistics with means, percentages and standard deviations. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded through thematic content analysis. The results of the survey indicate that while a slightly significant positive correlation was found between overall COI, teaching presence and social presence with online teaching experience, no significant correlation was found between online teaching experience and cognitive presence with an r score close to .0. Furthermore, prep school instructors create interaction during online teaching using collaborative tasks, Web 2.0 tools and personal information from students. The findings from the interviews suggest the following emerging themes: assessment and feedback, social interaction and getting to know students, convenience, technical problems, and attendance issues.