Richard Kiely, Richard
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PRESERVICE TEACHERS’ BELIEFS AND PRACTICES IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO YOUNG LEARNERS Othman, Juliana; Kiely, Richard
Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics Vol 6, No 1 (2016): Vol. 6 No. 1 July 2016
Publisher : Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.17509/ijal.v6i1.2661

Abstract

This paper explores ESL preservice teachers’ beliefs regarding teaching English to young learners, and examines the interplay between their beliefs and instructional practices. Seventy ESL preservice teachers at a university in Malaysia participated in the study. Data is drawn from semi-structured interviews and lesson plan analysis. The results indicated that the preservice teachers’ classroom practices did not often reflect their stated beliefs about young learners language learning. Although there was a strong consensus that English should be taught communicatively, the preservice teachers also employed structural based approach when teaching grammar. Contextual factors hindering this consistency were attributed to exam focused instruction and time constraints. Thus, this paper argues that reform in language teacher education need to address factors that hinder preservice teachers from implementing instructions which aligns with the theoretical beliefs espoused by their teacher training program.
An Analysis of Focus on Form Practice in Communicative English Language Teaching Classrooms Muhamad, Maizatulliza; Kiely, Richard
IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics) Vol 2, No 2 (2018): Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21093/ijeltal.v2i2.97

Abstract

In communicative English language teaching classrooms, one of the main issues discussed is the teaching of forms. Research shows that Focus on Form (FoF) practice which focuses on building students’ communicative ability is effective and desirable in helping students acquire their second language. This is unlike Focus on Forms (FoFs) practice which emphasises building students grammatical accuracy. However, many of the studies on FoF practices are designed within a controlled environment with pre-determined categories, which is different from an actual classroom setting. This study is conducted in actual communicative English language teaching classrooms to investigate teachers’ FoF practices. Data were gathered from 15 non-participant classroom observations and interviews with three Malaysian ESL teachers. The data from the observations showed the teachers’ tendency to employ isolated form-focused instructions (I-FFI) and reactive FoF practices in teaching grammar. However, the interviews revealed that the teachers focused more on helping students to master grammatical rules which conformed to the principle of FoFs practice. The contradicting findings suggest a complexity of teachers’ actual practices which is not highlighted by many of the research studies in this area.Â