Fostering Active Learning via Critical Pedagogies

This chapter aims to provide a guideline for pre-service and in-service teachers to apply reflective research in language classrooms to gain a multidimensional overview of language teaching strategies in increasing active learning via critical pedagogies. A previously conducted reflective research will be used throughout the chapter to reach the stated aim. Analyzing language teaching techniques and strategies in an English for Academic Purposes classroom where all the students are originally from East Asia, the sample reflective research illustrates the needs and expectations of East Asian students in language learning through the research students, and also it aims to provide clues for TESOL educators to implement a similar study in classrooms employing critical pedagogies to develop language instruction.

Teaching young English language learners in East Asian cultural contexts: Application of current English as a Second Language (ESL) best practices for academic success

This secondary research project examines the research and literature surrounding current English as a Second Language (ESL) practices for East Asian students. In particular, it examines the role that these practices have in affecting academic and linguistic aptitude of young learners. It also explores the role of outreach programs and acculturation in English language growth. An empiric study of culturally relevant outreach programs on East Asian learners is proposed to help determine the effect of such programs on meeting student and familial need. This study would help to fill a gap in the research and provide guidance for instructors looking to better serve Asian heritage learners.

Teaching young English language learners in East Asian cultural contexts: Application of current English as a Second Language (ESL) best practices for academic success

This secondary research project examines the research and literature surrounding current English as a Second Language (ESL) practices for East Asian students. In particular, it examines the role that these practices have in affecting academic and linguistic aptitude of young learners. It also explores the role of outreach programs and acculturation in English language growth. An empiric study of culturally relevant outreach programs on East Asian learners is proposed to help determine the effect of such programs on meeting student and familial need. This study would help to fill a gap in the research and provide guidance for instructors looking to better serve Asian heritage learners.

Stricter Teacher, More Motivated Students? Comparing the Associations Between Teacher Behaviors and Motivational Beliefs of Western and East Asian Learners

Teacher behaviors are one of the most significant factors influencing student learning. Students from different cultures may have different interpretations of their teachers’ behaviors. This study compared the associations between teacher strictness, teacher feedback, and students’ motivational beliefs using data from six Western countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand) and six East Asian regions (Japan, Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015. A total of 89,869 15-year-old students were included in data analysis. The findings indicate that (i) teacher strictness was negatively associated with Western students’ motivation, but positively related to that of East Asian students; (ii) teacher feedback had significant positive associations with the motivational beliefs of both Western and East Asian students; and (iii) there was a positive relationship between teacher strictness and teacher feedback in East Asian context. These results highlight the need to consider cultural factors when interpreting students’ reactions to teacher behaviors.