The use of information and communication technology greatly improved foreign languages teaching and learning. Learning management systems, such as Moodle, used to create and deliver courses, facilitate e-learning in different types of educational institutions. Blended learning as a combination of face-to face and e-learning is conducive to deep learning. We designed a new course “Teaching English as a foreign language to learners with special educational needs” to provide students enrolled in a master’s programme – pre-service English teachers, with an opportunity to enhance their language and professional skills as well as to develop their learner autonomy through meaningful learning experiences blending learning can supplement. We considered micro, meso and macro levels of the course implementation and functioning. In this paper we describe the context in which the course is introduced by providing information about the setting, the curriculum, the need for including this course in the master’s programme at the faculty of foreign languages. We also outline the way the course is designed, including its structure, particular tasks and assessment procedures and present students’ feedback about the impact of the course on their foreign language skills and learner autonomy. The results indicate that blended learning is an effective tool for development of pre-service teachers’ English language skills and learner autonomy. The findings of the study can be applied by faculty and administrators involved in the design of courses at tertiary level.
The problem of motivation in foreign language learning has always been of great importance. Researchers agree on the non-static, dynamic nature of motivation, investigate the role of the motivational context, and recognize the fact that some aspects of motivation are not internal but are externally determined by the learner’s sociocultural environment. The study aims to investigate the prevalent type of motivation among pre-service English teachers in challenging circumstances. The analysis of motivation sources and ways to protect and maintain motivation to learn English as a foreign language in challenging circumstances constitutes the novelty of the study. 60 fourth-year students (57 females and 3 males) participated in the investigation. The questionnaire adapted from Gardner's Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) has been used as a tool to collect quantitative data. The results reveal that the level of motivation is high with a prevalence of instrumental motivation. Qualitative data have been obtained from interviewing students. During the interviews, the students identified the sources of their motivation, critically evaluated their learning situation, and described their learning circumstances as challenging. The study suggests pedagogical implications in line with positive psychology recommendations and the latest research on the protection and maintenance of а motivation to learn English as a foreign language in challenging circumstances. The implications for teachers include developing motivational strategies, maintaining engagement, providing role models, using technology.
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of pre-service foreign languages teachers' emotional intelligence by means of reflection. 70 students of Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Department of Foreign Languages, participated in the study for four years. Among them, there were 67 females and 3 males aged 18 to 26. Research instruments used in the study are Self-Rated Emotional Intelligence Scale and Reflection in Learning Scale. Following the completion of these self-rated questionnaires in the first semester of their programme, the participants were engaged in reflective practice by means of three reflective toolswriting journals, reflective portfolios and reflective classroom discussions. Five domains of emotional intelligence (perceiving, using, understanding, managing emotions and social management) became an integral part of reflection. It was hypothesised that a relationship between emotional intelligence and reflective practice would emerge. At the end of the eighth semester, the participants self-assessed their emotional intelligence and reflective skills again using the same instruments. Results indicate that systematic reflection develops pre-service foreign languages teachers' emotional intelligence. In addition, classroom discussions revealed the need for reflection in a foreign language for personal and professional development of the participants. We conclude that there is a relationship between the level of pre-service foreign languages teachers' emotional intelligence and the development of their reflective skills. The findings of the study can be applied in the design and implementation of educational programmes for pre-service foreign languages teachers.
The purpose of this paper is to investigate pre-service English teachers' attitudes to co-teaching as a professional development tool and a collaboration method. Two instructors co-taught an undergraduate English Language Teaching Methodology course to gain experience and to model this method for pre-service English teachers. 60 students of Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Department of Foreign Languages, participated in the study for one semester. Research instruments used in the study are students' reflective journals, focus groups discussions, and a survey. The students wrote regular entries in reflective journals after each session, participated in focus groups discussions, and filled out a survey at the end of the semester. It was hypothesised that co-teaching would engage learners and enhance their learning, help pre-service teachers to develop professionally, and serve as a model of effective instructional technique for their future teaching assignment. Results indicate the effectiveness of coteaching in achieving these tasks. We also conclude that co-teaching in pre-service teacher education is an invaluable tool in developing teachers' and students' reflective skills and collaborative practices. The findings of the study can be applied in the design and implementation of educational programmes for pre-service foreign languages teachers.
The article examines the main features of reflective learning and ways of implementing reflective pedagogy in foreign language teaching. The conclusion has been made about the connection between students' ability to reflect on the results of their learning and autonomy. Reflection is seen as a form of meta-cognition
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