Beginning EFL Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching and Learning in the Context of Secondary Schools in China

Beginning EFL Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching and Learning in the Context of Secondary Schools in China PDF Author: Naixin Zhang
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Beginning EFL Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching and Learning in the Context of Secondary Schools in China

Beginning EFL Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching and Learning in the Context of Secondary Schools in China PDF Author: Naixin Zhang
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


Teacher Beliefs as a Complex System: English Language Teachers in China

Teacher Beliefs as a Complex System: English Language Teachers in China PDF Author: Hongying Zheng
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319230093
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 185

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Book Description
The volume is a practical introduction to the ways in which the teachers deal with classroom events in the context of change for researchers, teachers, administrators who wish to implement curriculum reform to EFL in schools. The author provides insights into the beliefs of Chinese teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), and their pedagogical choices in the context of the National English Curriculum Reform. The complex nature of EFL teachers’ beliefs about EFL teaching and learning are exposed, how their beliefs interact with mental and actionable processes triggered by classroom practice, and how their beliefs co-adapt with contexts to maintain the stability of the teachers’ belief systems. This is the first study to present complexity theory in a narrative context of education, exploring the non-linear and unpredictable features of the relationship between the teachers’ beliefs and practices. Integrating complexity theory with interpretivist, ecological and sociocultural perspectives, this book contributes to the research agenda by providing a systematic framework for examining teacher beliefs as a whole, and examining the extent to which western theory may be applied to Chinese educational contexts.

Understanding Chinese EFL Teachers' Beliefs about English with a Yin-Yang Perspective

Understanding Chinese EFL Teachers' Beliefs about English with a Yin-Yang Perspective PDF Author: Juan Tian
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : English language
Languages : en
Pages : 213

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Book Description
Since the early 21st century, the Chinese government has been launching a new round of nation-wide curriculum reform, which promotes the replacement of the traditional testoriented view of English with the communicative-based view. However, there is a serious research gap in the understanding of how local teachers perceive and react to the tensions arising from opposing views of English as subject matter (Widdowson, 2012; Zhang- Zhengdong, 2006; 2007). Drawing on the distinction between the views of "language as an object" and "language as a tool" (Ellis, 2012), this study examines the impact of the tool-vs-object tension on Chinese secondary school EFL teachers' beliefs about English and the extent to which tension-loaded beliefs are related to classroom practices. Guided by Yin-Yang theory, this study defines the research topic (beliefs about English) as a complex, self-conflicting system which comprises Yin-Yang interplay with regard to teachers' perceptions of context (where), content (what) and pedagogy (how), and proposes an eight-trigram model for analyzing data. A multiple-case study design is employed with Yin-Yang considerations, and case selection involves four participating teachers (Jing, Yun, Yao and Ping), who are from two schools (an urban school and a rural school), which are located in the same region (Beijing, the capital city of China). The research database includes field notes, interviews and audio/video recordings of teachers' classes. Eventually, a total of 19 core beliefs emerge from the data through a coding scheme which recognizes four types of belief-practice congruence, respectively termed Manifest Congruence, Latent Congruence, Subconscious Congruence and Embedded Congruence. A detailed description of each belief is followed by an analysis of its Yin-Yang nature, and each teacher's English-related beliefs are graphically summarized in the eight-trigram model, which allows for cross-case comparisons and the emergence of general patterns. Findings show that an individual teacher tends to hold beliefs that reflect opposing orientations of language at the same time and that there exist individual differences in the way teachers absorb and resolve tool-vs-object tensions, which has an impact on their idiosyncratic practices. It has also been found that their perception of tensions can be asynchronous along the three conceptual levels, as context-related tensions are found easier to be resolved than pedagogy-related tensions, and that experientially and reflectively enhanced beliefs are more likely to achieve pedagogical consistency. An analysis in light of Yin-Yang thinking lends support to the view that teachers' beliefs are situated in an inherently conflicting and complex system, and that this is contextually defined and practically constrained. It is argued that an optimal balance of Yin and Yang is essential for the development and maintenance of a belief system, and this has important implications for EFL education, educational research, teacher education, curriculum development and assessment reform in China. Finally, limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are also suggested.

Perspectives on Teaching and Learning English Literacy in China

Perspectives on Teaching and Learning English Literacy in China PDF Author: Jiening Ruan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400749945
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
This is one of two volumes by the same editors that explore historical, philosophical, and cultural perspectives on literacy in China. This volume focuses on English literacy in China, while the other volume is on Chinese literacy. In modern day China, English has enjoyed an increasingly important status in education, but not without challenges. The essays in this volume provide a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary look at changes in English literacy practices and literacy instruction in China from the first English school in the 19th century to recent curriculum reform efforts to modernize English instruction from basic education through higher education. Together, the essays address a wide array of topics, including early childhood English education, uses of information technology to teach English, and teaching English to Chinese minority students. This work is essential reading for those who want to expand their understanding of English literacy education in China.

Classroom Writing Assessment and Feedback in L2 School Contexts

Classroom Writing Assessment and Feedback in L2 School Contexts PDF Author: Icy Lee
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811039240
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 173

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Book Description
While assessment and feedback tend to be treated separately in the L2 writing literature, this book brings together these two essential topics and examines how effective classroom assessment and feedback can provide a solid foundation for the successful teaching and learning of writing. Drawing upon current educational and L2 writing theories and research, the book is the first to address writing assessment and feedback in L2 primary and secondary classrooms, providing a comprehensive, up-to-date review of key issues, such as assessment for learning, assessment as learning, teacher feedback, peer feedback, portfolio assessment, and technology enhanced classroom writing assessment and feedback. The book concludes with a chapter on classroom assessment literacy for L2 writing teachers, outlines its critical components and underscores the importance of teachers undertaking continuing professional development to enhance their classroom assessment literacy. Written in an accessible style, the book provides a practical and valuable resource for L2 writing teachers to promote student writing, and for teacher educators to deliver effective classroom writing assessment and feedback training. Though the target audience is school teachers, L2 writing instructors in any context will benefit from the thorough and useful treatment of classroom assessment and feedback in the book.

Understanding the Impact of INSET on Teacher Change in China

Understanding the Impact of INSET on Teacher Change in China PDF Author: Ming Li
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811333114
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 159

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Book Description
This pivot considers the impact of INSET courses on EFL teachers practicing under the national curriculum reform in China. Providing context-specific findings on the policy and implementation of INSET as well as its impact on teacher education initiatives in both China and similar contexts, it explores the limitations of one off training events such as INSET and the inconsistency between teacher learning results and their classroom practices. The book argues that teachers, when returning to pre-INSET teaching, are influenced by their prior deeply-rooted beliefs largely considered more powerful than newly-learnt theories. Addressing the rarely discussed fact that the complex and dynamic characteristics of teacher learning change over time and support the construct of teacher learning as a social event rather than a one-off event, the book also offers practical solutions on how to improve teacher education and enhance the long-term INSET impact on teacher development, with the ambition of promoting education reform for both teachers and students alike.

Primary EFL in China

Primary EFL in China PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 720

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Teacher Mediated Agency in Educational Reform in China

Teacher Mediated Agency in Educational Reform in China PDF Author: Hongzhi Yang
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319159259
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
This book examines teacher agency in implementing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) curriculum reform in the Chinese university context. It theorizes the concept of teacher agency from a sociocultural theory perspective and draws on a study conducted in a conservative and less developed area in China. The book uses Engeström's activity theory and Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) to understand the nature and extent of teacher agency in adapting one’s teaching with respect to beliefs, knowledge and instructional practices. The study concludes that curriculum reform in China needs to shift from reliance on 'top-down' policies to 'bottom-up' implementation that mobilizes local understandings and practices. One of the implications of this study is that transformative teacher education programs aimed at developing teacher pedagogical agency require that teachers have ongoing opportunities to design, develop and evaluate curriculum-based mediational means.

Early Language Learning and Teacher Education

Early Language Learning and Teacher Education PDF Author: Subhan Zein
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
ISBN: 1788922670
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 229

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Book Description
Language teacher education is widely identified as one of the most important areas that needs addressing in order to improve early language instruction, yet research into teacher education for early language teachers remains relatively sparse. This volume responds to this gap by compiling studies with diverse methodological tenets from a wide range of geographical and educational contexts around the world. The volume aims to enhance understanding of early language teacher education as well as to address the need to prepare early language teachers and assist them in their professional development. The chapters focus on the complexity of teacher learning, innovations in mentoring and teacher supervision, strategies in programme development and perceptions, and knowledge and assessment in early language learning teacher education. The volume offers comprehensive coverage of the field by addressing various aspects of teacher education in different languages. The contributions highlight examples of research into current practice in the professional enhancement of early language learning teachers, but with an emphasis on the implications for practitioners.

Developing Global Awareness for Global Citizenship Education

Developing Global Awareness for Global Citizenship Education PDF Author: Hongtao Jing
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9819941792
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 183

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Book Description
This book has explored in depth the beliefs and practices of foreign language teachers regarding global awareness in the context of a Chinese senior high school. This book defines global awareness as a combination of global knowledge, global attitudes, and global skills for a global citizen to act from the local community to the global community. By analysing qualitative data such as classroom observations, interviews and focus groups with language teachers and linking these findings to language education policy and practice in China, this book has explored how English language teachers teach English language, intercultural communicative competence and global awareness in China. This book will be of interest to researchers, language teachers and students in the fields of language education and intercultural communication. It also provides a readable overview for those new to the field of ICC and global citizenship education.