A Mixed Methods Study of Interchange 2 and Four Corners 2 in Terms of Learner-Centeredness
Subject Areas : Language Materials Development
Narjes Ashari Tabar
1
,
Farideh Kasehgari
2
1 -
2 -
Keywords: authentic language, contextualization, discoursed language, information gap tasks, learner-centeredness, skill integration ,
Abstract :
The paradigm shift from traditional language curricula to communicative ones necessitates the (re)evaluation of language materials from the perspective of learner-centered pedagogy. The purpose of this study was to compare two English coursebooks (i.e., Interchange 2 and Four Corners 2) in terms of learner-centeredness based on the criteria of the existing theories. For the purpose of this mixed methods study, a directed content analysis (DCA) was initially done to develop a framework based on the related theories for evaluating learner-centeredness of the activities and tasks in language materials, involving six subcategories (i.e., information gap, open-endedness, contextualization, authenticity, discursivity, and skill integration). Moreover, fourteen types of learner-centered activities and tasks were identified from different theoretical sources, which fell under the six categories of the learner-centeredness framework. To validate the framework, it was expert-wised. It was found that the directed approach to content analysis supported and extended the existing theories of learner-centeredness using the contextual aspects of the phenomenon. In the second phase of the study, the types of tasks and activities in the two coursebooks were identified and analyzed through summative content analysis using the researcher-developed framework. Finally, the quantitative data gathered after coding the corpus were statistically analyzed to check whether there was any significant difference between the two coursebooks in terms of the learner-centeredness of their tasks and activities. The result of Mann-Whitney Test showed that there was no significant difference between the frequency of the learner-centered activities and tasks in Interchange 2 and Four Corners 2. The findings of this study may carry implications for the language instructors, learners, and material developers.
Ahmed, S. A., & Dakhiel, M. A. (2019). Effectiveness of learner-centered teaching in modifying attitude towards EFL and developing academic self-motivation among the 12th grade students. English Language Teaching, 12(4), 139–148. doi:10.5539/elt.v12n4p139
Arroitia, B. C., & Marquez, M. F. (2014). The authenticity of real texts in advanced English language textbooks. ELT Journal, 68(2), 124-134.
Badjadi, N.E.I. (2020). Learner-centered English language teaching: Premises, practices, and prospects. IAFOR Journal of Education: Language Learning in Education, 8(1), 7-27. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1245816.pdf
Brown, J. K. (2008). Student-centered instruction: Involving students in their own education. Music Educators Journal, 95(4), 110-115.
Cannon, R., & Newble, D. (2000). A guide to improving teaching methods: A handbook for teachers in university and colleges. Kogan Page.
Chen, C-I. (2018). Incorporating task-based learning in an extensive reading programme. ELT Journal, 72(4), 1-10.
Chinn, C.A., Anderson, R.C., & Waggoner, M.A. (2001). Patterns of discourse in two kinds of literature discussion. Reading Research Quarterly, 36(4), 378-411.
Copley, K. (2018). Neoliberalism and ELT coursebook content. Critical Inquiry in Language Studies, 15(1), 43–62.
Davies, A., & Elder, C. (2004). The Handbook of applied linguistics. Blackwell handbooks in linguistics. Blackwell.
Donato, R. (2016). Sociocultural theory and content-based foreign language instruction: Theoretical insights on the challenge of integration. In L. Cammarata (Ed.), Content-based foreign language teaching (pp. 39–64). Routledge.
Doyle, T. (2008). Helping students learn in a learner-centered environment. A guide to facilitating learning in higher educations. Stylus Publishing.
Duckworth, E. (2009). Helping students get to where ideas can find them. The New Educator, 5(3), 185-188.
Dupin-Bryant, P. A. (2004). Teaching styles of interactive television instructors: A descriptive study. The American Journal of Distance Education, 18(1), 39-50.
Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. OUP.
Ellis, R. (2017). Task-based language teaching. In S. Louwen & M. Sato (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of instructed second language acquisition (pp. 124–141). Routledge.
Ellis, R., Skehan, P., Li, S., Shintani, N., & Lambert, C. (2019). Task-based language teaching: Theory and practice. Cambridge University Press.
Garrett, T. (2008). Student-Centered and Teacher-Centered Classroom Management: A Case Study of Three Elementary Teachers. The Journal of Classroom Interaction, 43, 34-47.
Gelisli, Y. (2009). The effect of student-centered instructional approaches on student success. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1, 469-473.
Gilmore, A. (2007). Authentic materials and authenticity in foreign language learning. Language Teaching, 4(2), 97-118.
Hall, G. (2017). Exploring English language teaching language in action (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Hedge, T. (2000). Teaching and learning in the language classroom. Oxford University Press.
Hemmati, M. R., & Aziz Malayeri, F. (2022). Iranian EFL teachers' perceptions of obstacles to implementing student-centered learning: A mixed-methods study. International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 10(40), 133-152.
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative health research, 15(9), 1277–1288. doi:10.1177/1049732305276687
Jonassen, D. H. (2000). Revisiting activity theory as a framework for designing student-centered learning environments. In D. H. Jonassen, & S. M. Land (Eds.), Theoretical foundations of learning environments (pp. 89-121). Lawrence Erlbaum.
Jones, L. (2007). The student-centered classroom. Cambridge University Press.
Jordan, G., & Gray, H. (2019). We need to talk about coursebooks. ELT, 73(4), 1-9. doi:10.1093/elt/ccz038
Kaput, K. (2018). Evidence for student-centered learning. Education Evolving, 1-27.
Karim, K. (2018). Cooperative language learning. In J. I. Liontas (Ed.), The TESOL encyclopedia of English language teaching (pp.1–5). Wiley.
Khajavi, Y., & Abbasian, R. (2011). English language teaching, national identity and globalization in Iran: The case of public schools. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 1(10), 181-186.
Klein, P. D., & Samuels, B. (2010). Learning about plate tectonics through argument writing. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 56(2), 196–217.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (1993). Maximizing learning Potential in the communicative classroom. ELT Journal, 47(1), 12-21.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2006). Understanding language teaching. From method to post method. Lawrence Erlbaum.
Long, M. H. (2015). SLA and task-based language teaching. Routledge.
Lyster, R. (2017). Content-based language teaching. Routledge.
McConachy, T. (2009). Raising sociocultural awareness through contextual analysis: some tools for teachers. ELT Journal, 63(2), 116-125.
Moltz, D. (2010). Encouraging deep learning. Inside higher Ed. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com.
Muir, C. (2018). Using learner-centred content in the classroom: Part of the Cambridge papers in ELT series. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/us/files/4715/7488/6740/CambridgePapersInELT_LearnerCentredContent_2018_ONLINE.pdf
Murphy, J. J. (1999). Common factors of school-based change. In M. Hubble, B. Duncan & S. Miller (Eds.), The heart and soul of change: What works in therapy (pp. 361–386). American Psychological Association.
Nunan, D. (1988). The learner-centred curriculum. Cambridge University Press.
Nunan, D. (1999). Second language teaching and learning. Heinle and Heinle.
Nunan, D. (2012). Learner-centered English language education: The selected works of David Nunan. Routledge
Nunan, D. (2013). Learner-centered English educated. The selected works of David Nunan. Routledge.
Pedersen, S., & Liu, M. (2003). Teachers' beliefs about issues in the implementation of a student-centered learning environment. Educational Technology Research and Development, 51(2), 57-76. doi.org/10.1007/BF02504526
Philominraj, A., Jeyabalan, D., & Vidal-Silva, C. (2017). Visual Learning: A learner centered approach to enhance English language teaching. English Language Teaching, 10(3), 54–62. doi:10.5539/elt.v10n3p54
Reigeluth, C. M., Beatty, B. J., & Myers, R. D. (Eds.). (2017). Instructional design theories and models (Vol. IV): The learner-centered paradigm of education. Routledge.
Richards, J. C. (2017). Interchange 2. Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C., & Bohlke, D. (2012). Four corners. Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C., & Rodgers, T. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press
Richards, J.C., & Schmidt, R. (2010). Longman dictionary of language teaching and applied linguistics (2nd ed.). Pearson.
Roshan, S. (2014). A critical comparative evaluation of English course books in EFL context. Journal of Studies in Education, 4(1), 172-179.
Salimi, E. A., & Nourali, N. (2021). A triangulated approach toward the needs assessment for English language course of Iranian undergraduate students of library and information science. Teaching English Language, 15(2), 27-59.
Savignon, S. J. (2002). Interpreting communicative language teaching. Context and concerns in teacher education. Yale University Press.
Searle, J. R (2002). Speech acts, mind, and social reality. Discussions with John R. Searle. Studies in linguistics and philosophy. Spring-Science +Business Media.
Senior, R. M. (2006). The experience of language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
Starkey, L. (2019). Three dimensions of student-centered education: a framework for policy and practice. Critical Studies in Education, 60(3), 375–390.
Sudiran, S., & Vieira, F. (2017). Learner-centered materials development in initial language teacher education. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME), 7(2), 70-79. doi:10.9790/7388-0702037079
Thomson, C. (1992). Learner-Centered task in the foreign language classroom. Foreign Language Annals, 25, 523-31.
Van Viegen, S., & Russell, B. (2019). More than language—Evaluating a Canadian university EAP bridging program. TESL Canada Journal, 36(1), 97-120.
Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. Jossey Bass.
Wolk, R. (2010). Education: The case for making it personal. Educational Leadership, 67(7), 16-21.
Zohrabi, M., Torabi, M. A., & Baybourdiani, P. (2012). Teacher-centered and/or student-centered learning: English language in Iran. English Language and Literature Studies, 2(3), 18-30.
