Task-based language teaching has a high profile within contemporary ELT. There are, however, few empirical studies of how teachers actually implement tasks in Chinese primary school contexts. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring how four teachers in two primary schools in Nanhai, Guangdong implement communicative activities in a top-down national innovation. This study involves three areas of investigation. The first area describes classroom practice. A particular focus is on activity types and the degree of communicativeness of activities. The second area analyzes how the practice reflects the general understanding of task-based pedagogy: the extent to which classroom activities are congruent with features of task? The third area concerns factors influencing communicativeness of lessons. Extensive data are drawn over a period of an academic year with four selected teachers (Betty, Rose, Paul and Jane). A total of 55 observations were conducted. Methods of documenting classroom data include a quantitative instrument based on COLT observation scheme (Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching) and qualitative field notes. The tool used to analyze the degree of communicativeness is derived from a well-recognized framework proposed by Littlewood. 64 semi-structured interviews were conducted to gauge participants’ perception of task-based teaching. Teachers, school principals and focused-group students were interviewed. The main findings are as follows. It is found that Betty and Rose use mainly focus-on-forms activities, Paul uses meaning-form-focused and Jane meaning-focused activities, suggesting, respectively, a low, medium and medium-high degree of communicativeness. Further analysis of activity features indicates that Betty and Rose’s teaching are teacher-centered, decontextualized and without a clear communicative goal and outcome, and thus not congruent with task features. Paul’s activities share features of non-communicative teaching and TBLT. Paul tried to integrate some communicative elements in his approach, although the majority of Paul’s activities still focus on the practice of language form. Jane’s activities, message-focused, student-centered and contextualized, reflect general features of tasks. Three sets of contextual and participant factors are found to influence TBLT implementation in the two case schools: 1) contextual, 2) teacher factors and 3) those related to pedagogical practice, including planning and instructional factors. The significance of this study is threefold. Firstly, I propose an adapted version of Littlewood’s communicative framework. This version contributes to the existing literature as it is a useful tool to analyze communicativeness of classroom activities in school context. Secondly, this study extends our knowledge of the kind of factors that influence TBLT implementation. Lastly, this study adds insights into character teachers cope with changes in the new English curriculum and the kind of classroom activities in Nanhai primary schools. It is hoped that these findings carry some resonances in other EFL contexts in East Asian Region. / published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Integrated curriculum has received a great deal of attention in education settings and the word 'integration' in the integrated curriculum is viewed as a method of teaching and learning underpinned with the theory of constructivism. Integration is one of the approaches in the present curriculum of South Africa and the / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

The purpose of this creative project is to address the lack of knowledge and understanding by Park Elementary school children of the historic architecture in Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana. This report documents the process utilized to develop, implement and evaluate a fourth-grade curriculum of Fairmount Township architectural history.A survey of students who had previously completed the Indiana history course assessed their knowledge of local history. The curriculum unit was developed based on the survey results. The unit was developed in two stages. First it was piloted, then after revision, it was fully implemented. A handout was developed and used to familiarize the students with the architectural concepts. A guide for teachers was developed to assist others in the use or adaptation of this unit to other communities. / Department of Architecture

The study sets out to add to the research base on vocabulary acquisition by assessing the effect of integrating explicit, interactive vocabulary instruction with storybook reading on Grade 1 vocabulary acquisition. Participants comprised 69 Grade 1, English second language learners from three classes in two schools. One class was randomly assigned as the Experimental Group while the other two classes served as control groups. The intervention took place for a period of 18 weeks and consisted of 30 minute storybook reading sessions, accompanied by interactive vocabulary instruction, twice a week. Data regarding existing vocabulary instruction practices and approaches were also collected through classroom observations and individual, semi-structured interviews with the Experimental Group’s teacher. Findings suggest that second language storybook reading, accompanied by explicit, interactive vocabulary instruction, has a positive impact on Grade 1 vocabulary acquisition, but that vocabulary teaching practices also play a key role in vocabulary acquisition. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Applied Linguistics)

In defining Inclusive Education, the Education White Paper 6 (South African Department of Education 2001:6) highlights a crucial factor: acknowledging and respecting, amongst other things, language differences in learners. In a developing country like South Africa, a myriad of languages exist. Despite the creation of language awareness by adopting a number of official languages, English appears to be the most common lingua franca – a language that is very often learnt as a second language and as a medium of instruction at schools. On the other hand, IsiZulu is a prominent first language for many South Africans. Emanating from the above, this study focused on IsiZulu-speaking foundation phase learners’ experiences of English as a second language in English medium schools. Additionally, this study examined the reasons for the parents of IsiZulu-speaking foundation phase learners choosing to enroll their children in English medium schools. A literature study on second language acquisition and the factors that impact on the English second language learner in the English medium schools was undertaken. A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to obtain data from foundation phase educators, IsiZulu-speaking foundation phase learners, and the parents of IsiZulu-speaking foundation phase learners in four English medium primary schools in the Port Shepstone region. Individual interviews were conducted with learners and educators and a questionnaire was used as the main instrument for gathering data from parents. Qualitative data was subjected to analysis by means of an eclectic approach. Quantitative data analysis was done by means of tables, frequencies and graphs. This study found that IsiZulu-speaking foundation phase learners were happy to be enrolled in English medium schools. They interacted well with their peers and they coped well with conversational skills in the English language. However, educators emphasised that reading, writing, and comprehension appeared to be cognitively challenging to learners. Pronouns, pronunciation of words in English, grammar, and figurative language were seen to be problematic areas. This also contributed to speaking anxiety that was espoused by learners and educators. Reading anxiety was also seen to be prevalent. Educators believed that learners exhibited predominantly positive attitudes which indicated that they were motivated to learn. Although integrative motivation and instrumental motivation were seen to play a dual role in learners’ experiences, the parents’ views were strongly influenced by instrumental motivation. Despite the fact that integration as an acculturation process was seen to be dominant in the learners’ responses, educators believed that assimilation and separation were also apparent. Learners were adapting to the cultural contexts of the schools. However, maintaining of eye contact during conversations and lessons was seen to be preventing learners from being able to optimally benefit from the lessons. There were various reasons for the parents choosing to enroll their children in English medium schools. One of the prominent reasons advanced by parents was the fact that most of them (94,4%) enrolled their children in English medium schools because they wanted their children to speak English fluently. Evidently, the English language has impacted on all aspects of IsiZulu-speaking foundation phase learners’ lives. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Inclusive Education))

Thesis (MTech (Quality (Faculty of Engineering) Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008. / While the necessary Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure at the Holy Cross Sisters' School (HCSS) has been established, there has been little evidence of the successful integration of ICT into the school. While traditional teaching methods are still being practiced, ICT integration into the curriculum has been non- existent and mundane administrative tasks are still being performed manually. Furthermore, management has no real vision in place with regards to ICT integration at the school. Due to the fact that the HCSS has not optimally used its ICT capabilities results in administrative processes being inefficient and impacting adversely on the quality of the education provided. The objectives of this research study are to develop a model that mitigates the research problem with focus on improving administrative processes, integrating ICT into the curriculum, and combining ICT with traditional teaching methods to exponentially improve upon the efficiency of teaching and learning. The research methodology for this dissertation will fall within the ambit of action research, using both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The research question that will form the crux of this dissertation reads as follows: 'What mechanistic approach can be deployed at the HCSS to integrate ICT within the organization to improve the quality of education and improve on the efficiency of internal processes?' Observations, focus groups and a survey will serve as data collection methods for this research. Data collected will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Transformational theoretical model -- Literature-based thematic units -- Reading, writing, listening, and speaking.