This thesis is concerned with foreign language learning and teaching. The initial aim of the thesis is to examine Gardner's (1985) model to find out whether this model is applicable to English foreign language learning (EFL) in Kuwait. The purpose is to determine the extent to which previous research findings can be generalised to a sample of University students in EFL courses in Kuwait. The thesis comprises three integrated background literature reviews: approaches to foreign language teaching and their implication for TEFL in Kuwait; 'CALL': (Computer Assisted Language Learning); and the role of the attitude, motivation and anxiety in foreign language learning. Two pieces of research are reported with two contrasting methodologies: a survey questionnaire, and an ethnographic approach examining the effectiveness of CALL. The research was conducted on Kuwait University undergraduates enrolled in English courses offered by the English Language Centre at Kuwait University during the 1992-1993 academic year. First, the research focuses on the inter-relationships between attitude, motivation, anxiety and achievement in the English language. Second, the research identifies the methods of teaching, instructional materials, class activities and appropriate teacher roles that students most prefer. Third, the research introduces new instructional materials via the use of computer programs in an EFL class. The effect of Computer Assisted Language Learning on students' motivation toward learning English as a foreign language, students' feeling of anxiety in the English class and their achievement in the foreign language are each examined by classroom observation and interviews. The results of the research show that: (1) in general, students appear to have a strong motivation to learn English; express a definite degree of preference toward English and native speakers of English, and lack feelings of anxiety. (2) The more a student is exposed to the English language through being in an English medium College, visiting and staying in an English speaking country and watching English programmes on T.V., the more a student needs the English language either for present studies or for future career, the more motivated to learning English and more positive attitudes towards the language are apparent. (3) Students' ability in English has a significant relationship with a variety of factors investigated: the higher the student's ability in English, the greater the motivation to learn English, the more favourable is the student's attitudes toward the English language and the less anxiety the student's experiences in the English class. (4) 'CALL' enhances students' motivation to learn the foreign language, lowers their anxieties and improves their achievement in the English language. The thesis concludes with an integration of theory and research, and makes a series of recommendations about developments in EFL in Kuwait University.

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京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(人間・環境学) / 甲第21846号 / 人博第875号 / 新制||人||210(附属図書館) / 2018||人博||875(吉田南総合図書館) / 京都大学大学院人間・環境学研究科共生人間学専攻 / (主査)准教授 中森 誉之, 教授 水野 眞理, 准教授 PETERSON Mark / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Human and Environmental Studies / Kyoto University / DGAM

This study investigates how learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) whose first language (L1) is Swedish select prepositions in the English language. The study involves two groups, the participants and their respective controls. The participants are advanced EFL students at a Swedish university and their controls are intermediate EFL speakers who are no longer enrolled in an EFL course. The aim of the present psycholinguistic investigation is to elucidate the process of the preposition selection in EFL by means of a think-aloud-protocol. The present study involves the assumption that preposition selection by Swedish EFL learners is based on both implicitly and explicitly acquired knowledge. Data analysis indicates that the participants’ EFL preposition selection is influenced by their L1 knowledge. The results suggest that EFL preposition selection does not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the results are indicative of a variation in EFL preposition selection between the two groups in an EFL proficiency test and a think-aloud-protocol.

No description available.

In recent decades, technology has played a significant role in English language teaching. Current Indonesian policies in education encourage teachers to integrate technology into teaching and learning activities to bolster the effectiveness and efficiency of their teaching practice (Ministry of National Education Indonesia, 2013). Previous studies found that various technology-based pedagogies yielded rewarding results for learners’ language skills in Indonesia, yet teachers report a lack of skills and knowledge necessary for CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) integration (Cahyani & Cahyono, 2012; Ridwan, 2017). There are, however, limited studies examining teachers’ readiness and skills to implement technology use in their classroom instructions. Therefore, the present study investigates teachers’ technological skills to implement CALL-based English as Foreign Language (EFL) instructions, particularly in Maluku, Indonesia using the TPACK (Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge) Framework (Koehler & Mishra, 2006). EFL high school teachers (N=43) from Maluku, Indonesia participated in the study. The data were collected using an online TPACK survey (Schmidt et al, 2009; Sahin, 2011) and follow-up interviews (Nila, 2013). The teachers showed interest and awareness of the use of technology to facilitate efficient and effective EFL instruction. The majority of participants demonstrated their perceived understanding of utilizing and combining technology with their pedagogical practices. Further, the interviews uncovered the fact that a handful of technology tools were already employed to improve students’ practice of English inside and beyond classrooms. These findings shed light on the reality that Indonesian EFL teachers are prepared to enact CALL. Nevertheless, participants encountered challenges for effective enactment of CALL-based EFL instruction such as a lack of CALL training and accessible technology to facilitate learning. The findings then suggest a need for training modules for technology incorporation in ELT, quality school facilities, and assistance in developing technology based EFL teaching.

No description available.

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education (MoE) has implemented new policies and reform programs for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to integrate technology in their classrooms. Creating a set of guidelines may provide a solution to guide EFL teachers through implementing technology to teach EFL skills in their classroom. Using a developmental study, comprised of three phases (analysis, design and development, and evaluation and revision), research-based instructional strategies were operationalized using a set of guidelines instruction to guide EFL teachers to integrate technology in their EFL classroom. Using a comprehensive literature review and evaluation by expert reviewers and users, guidelines were designed and evaluated to provide EFL teachers with instructional strategies and supporting technology solutions to implement in their EFL classrooms. This study describes the development process of the guidelines, the expert review and users, and the validation and usability of the final product in the Saudi context. / PHD / The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education (MoE) has implemented new policies and reform programs for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to integrate technology in their classrooms. Creating a set of guidelines may provide a solution to guide EFL teachers through using technology to teach EFL skills in their classroom. Using a developmental study, consisted of three phases (analysis, design and development, and evaluation and revision), guidelines instruction was developed to guide EFL teachers in using technology in their EFL classroom. Using a comprehensive literature review and evaluation by expert reviewers and users, guidelines were designed and evaluated to provide EFL teachers with instructional strategies and supporting technology solutions to use in their EFL classrooms. This study describes the development process of the guidelines, the expert review and users, and the validation and usability of the final product in the Saudi context.

This research explores postmethod pedagogy (Kumaravadivelu, 2003, p. 165) with two Mozambican secondary school teachers who expressed an interest in carrying out an exploratory research project in their context of practice. The research was undertaken to investigate how teachers, who had attended an International House Language Lab (IHLL) teacher education programme in 2008, were theorizing from their practice with the aim of developing a context-sensitive pedagogy. The research is a qualitative study consisting of two case studies. Each case is based on the practices of a teacher attempting to implement an exploratory research project. The exploratory projects included the following activities: the teacher teaching a lesson with a colleague observing; the teacher and observer meeting both before and after the observed lesson to discuss and analyse the lesson; and finally, the teacher inviting a group of students to discuss their perceptions of selected episodes in the lesson. The teachers used the exploratory research projects to explore their classroom practice in order to learn more about their teaching. Of particular relevance to this study is literature on practitioner research and teachers as reflective practitioners. In analysing the data, I demonstrate that although the exploratory research projects provided a frame of reference and point of departure for postmethod pedagogy, the teachers’ ability to ‘develop a systematic, coherent, and relevant personal theory of practice’ (Kumaravadivelu, 2003, p. 40) was limited by: the context, the surface level application of macrostrategies, and a lack of foregrounding of the critical in the postmethod macrostrategies. The study concludes with a critical reflection on the value of postmethod pedagogy for teacher education programmes offered at IHLL, as well as for the teachers’ contexts of practice. I offer some ‘fuzzy generalizations’ (Bassey, 1999) about the place of postmethod principles in teacher development courses for language teachers from a range of classroom and community contexts.

A useful medium when teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) to young learners is authentic children’s literature. Previous research in the area has provided insight into benefits and challenges in something that could be described as ‘fiction-based teaching’. There is however little to none that is set in a Swedish classroom context.  The aim of the current study was to find how teachers in Sweden utilize children’s literature in teaching English as a foreign language in grades 1–3. The study was performed using semi structured interviews with five teachers in the central east coast of Sweden. The participants gave insight into how they use English fiction as a teaching tool, which follows the structure of the didactic questions what, how and why. The teachers’ experienced challenges in using such a medium as a teaching tool were also processed in the study. To understand and analyse the gathered data, Aidan Chambers and Lev Vygotsky’s theories about young learners were used. The main findings of the study show that processing literature via discussions between teachers and students is beneficial for language acquisition, such as vocabulary gain and comprehension. At the same time, the teachers mention challenges in using such a method, for example a lack of time and how to differentiate the teaching of EFL. The conclusion was that these findings were in line with the previous research that has been made in the area.