Primary School Teachers' Perceived Difficulties in Implementing Innovative ELT Methodologies in the Ethiopian Context
Abstract
curricular innovations in English Language Teaching (ELT) made by the adoption of communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in English as a
Foreign Language (EFL) contexsts have generally been difficult. A case study of 20 Addis Ababa Region primary school English Teachers'
perceived difficulties in implementing CL T reveals that the difficulties have their sources in the difference between the underlying educational theories
of Ethiopia and those of Western countries where CL T developed. The results suggest that, to implement CL T, Ethiopia as an EFL country will
need to change its fundamental approach to education, and the implementation of CL T should be grounded on the country's EFL realities.
Hence it should establish its own contingent of language education researchers in order to develop English teaching theories and methodologies appropriate to its context. The language education researchers, as change agents, should study teachers' perceptions of an innovation. How teachers as the implementers and end users of an innovation perceive its feasibility is a crucial factor in the ultimate success or failure of that innovation.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Alptekin, C. (2002). Towards Intercultural Communicative Competence in ELT. ELT Journal 56/1,57-69.
Anderson, J . (1993). Is a communicative Approach Practical for Teaching English in China? Pros and cons. System. 21,471-480.
Bachman, L.F.(1996). Fundamental Considerations in Language Testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Berg, B.L. (1989). Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Bogdan,R., and Biklen, S.K. (1990). Curriculum Innovation in Adult ESL. In G.Brindley (Ed.), The Second Language Curriculum in Action (pp232-248).
Sydney: National Center for English Language Teaching and Research.
Burnaby, A. and Sun, Y. (1989). Chinese Teachers' Views of Western Language Teaching: Context Informs Paradigm. TESOL Quarterly, 23, 219-238.
Bums,A. (1996). Collaborative Reasearch and Curriculum Change in the Australian Migrant English Program. TESOL Quarterly, 30, 591 - 598.
Canale, M. and Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical Basis of Communicative Approaches to' Second Language Learning and Testing. Applied Linguistics, 1, 1 - 47.
Celce-Murcia, M., Dornyei, l ., and Thurrel, S. (1997). Direct Approaches in L2 nstruction: A Turning Point in Communicative Language Teaching? TESOL
Quarterly, 31,141 -152.
Chau, L. , and Chung, C. (1987). Diploma in Education Graduates' Attitude Communicative Language Teaching. Chinese University Educational
Journal, 15, (2) 45 - 51.
Chick ,J.K. (1996). Safe- TalK: Collusion and Apartheid Education. In H. Coleman (Ed.), Society and the Language Classroom (pp.21 - 39). Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Cullen, R. (1994). Incorporating a Language Improvement Component in Teacher Teacher Training Programs. ELT Journal, 48, 162 - 172.
Daud, M. (19996). English Language Development in Tunisia: TESOL Quarterly, 30, 598 - 605.
Deckert (1987). The Communicative Approach: Helping Students Adjust. English Teaching Forum.
Denzin, N.K. (1989). Interpretative Biography. Newborn Park, CA: Sage.
Dublin, F. (1995). The Craft of Materials Writing. In P. Byrd (Ed.), Material Writers Guide (pp. 64 - 78). Boston: Heinle and Heinle.
Edge J. (1996). Cross-Cultural Paradoxes in a Profession of Values. TESOL Quality, 30, 9-30.
Ellis, G. (1996). How Culturally Appropriate is the Communicative Approach? ELT Journal, 50,213,-218.
Ellis, R. (1994). Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Oxford University press.
Finocchiaro, M., and Brumfit, C. (1983). The Functional National Approach: From Theory to practice. New York: Oxford University press.
Foros, S.S. (1994). Integranting Grammar instructions and Communicative Language use Though Grammar Consciousness-Raising Tasks. TESOL
Quality, 28,323-351.
Freeman, D., and Cazden, C.B. (1990). Learning to Talk like a Professional: Some Pragmatics of Foreign Language Teacher Training. Pragmatics and
Language Learning.
Goetz, J.p., and Lecopte, M.D. (1984). Ethnography and Qulitative Design in Educational Research. New York: Academic press.
Gonzales, A. (1985). Communicative Language Teaching in The Rural Areas: How Does One Make the Irrelevant Relevant? In B.K. Das (ED.), Communicative
Language Teaching (PP.84-1 05). Singapore University Press.
Hile Michael, Aberra. (1987). The communicative VS. the Traditional Approach to the Teaching of English Reading Comprehension at Addis Ababa University
Freshman Level: Communicative Study. Unpublished MA Thesis. Addis University: School of Graduate Studies.
Harmer.J. (2001) (3rd ed.), The practice of English Language Teaching. London:Longman.
Hitchock, G. and Hughes, 0 .(1995). Research and the Teacher: A Qualitative introduction to School-Based Research. London: Routledge.
Holliday, A(1994}. Appropriate Methodology and Social Context. New York:Cambridge university press.
IQUEST (2002). Improving Quality of English in Ethiopian Schools and Teacher Education Institutes. Unpublished Report Compiled by EL T Expert Groups,
Addis Ababa: British Council
Johnson, K.E. (1994). The Emerging Beliefs and instructional Practices Of PreService English as a Second Language Teachers. Teaching and Teacher
Education, 10, 439-452.
Kelly, P. (1980). From innovation to Adaptability: The changing Perspectives of curriculum Development. In M.Galton (ED.), Curriculum Change. The
Lessons of a Decade (PP.65-80). Leicester, England: Leicester University Press.
Kirkpatrick, T.A. (1984). The Role of Communicative Language Teaching in Secondary Schools: with Special Reference To Teaching in Singapore. In
R.B. Das (ED.), Communicative Language Teaching (PP. 171-191). Signore: Singapore University Press.
Kuzel, AJ. (1992). Sampling in Qualitative inquiry. In B.F. Crabetree and W.L.Milier (Eds.), Doing Qualitative Research (PP. 31-44). Newbury Park,
CA: Sage.
Larsen-Freeman, D. (1989). Techniques and Princioales in Language Teaching. New York: Oxford University Press.
Li, D. (1998). It's Always More Difficult that you plan and Imagine. TESOL Quarterly, 32, 667-703.
Li,X.J. (1984). In Defence ofThe communicative Approach. ELT Journal, 38, 2-13).
Lightbown, P. (1991). Input, Instruction, and Feedback in Second Language Acquisition. Second Language Research, ii-iv.
Lightbown, P., and Spada, N. (1990). Focus-On Form and Corrective Feedback in Communicative Language Teaching: Effects of Second Language Teaching.
Studies in second Language Acquisition, 12, 429-448.
Lincoln, Y.S. and Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Littlewood, W.T. (1984). Integrating the New and the old in a communicative Approach. In BK Das (ED.) Communicative Language Teaching (PP 1-
13). Singapore University Press.
Markee, N. (1997). Managing Curricular Innovations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Moon, J. (2000). Children Learning English. Heinemann: Macmillan.
Murdoch, G.(1994). Language Development Provision in Teacher Training Curricula. EL T Journal, 48,253-265.
North, B.(1997}. Perspectives on Language proficiency and Aspects of Competence. language Teaching, 30 (2) 93-100.
Nunan, D. (1991). Communicative Tasks and the Language Curriculum. TESOl Quartely, 25, 279-295.
Patton, M,Q. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Penner, J. (1995). Change and Conflict: introduction of the Communicative Approach in China. TESl Canada Journal, 12(2), 1-17.
Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University press.
Powney, J ., and Watts, M. (1987). Interviewing in Educational Research. London: Routledge.
Prahbu, N.S. (1987). Second Language pedagogy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Price, R.F. (1988). The politics of Cintemporatry Education Reform in China. In E>B. Gumbert (Ed.), Making the future: politics and Educational Reform
in The United States, England, the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba (PP.99-114). Atlanta: Georgia State University.
Reid, J.M. (1995). Developing ESL Writing Materials for Publication or Writing as a Learning Experience. In P. Byrd (Ed.), Material Writers' Guide (PP. 64-78).
Boston: Heinle and Heinle.
Richards, J.C. (1998). Beyond Training. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C. and Loxkhart, C. (1994). Reflective Teaching in Second Language Classrooms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C. and Rodgers, T. (2201) (2nd Ed.). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching: A Description and Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press
Sampson, G.P. (1984). Exporting Language Teaching Methods from Canada Journal, 1 (1) 19-32.
Sano, M., Takahashi, M., and Yoneyama, A. (1984). Communicative Language Teaching and Local Needs. EL T Journal, 38,170-177.
Savingnon, s. (1983). Communicative Competence: Theory and Classroom Practice. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. (1991). Communicative
Language Teaching: State of the Art. TESOL Quarterly, 25,261-277.
Schachter, J. (1991) Corrective Feedback in Historical Perspective. Second Language Research, 7,89-102.
Schmied, J. (1991). English in Africa: An introduction. London: Longman.
Schon, D.A (1991 ).(200 Ed.) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals think in Action. London: Temple Smith.
Shamin, F. (1996). Leaner Resistance to Innovation in the Classroom Methodology.In H.Coleman (Ed.) Society and the Language Classroom (PP. 105-121).
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Taylor, B.P. (1983). Teaching ESL: Incorporating Communicative Student-Centered Component. TESOL Quarterly, 17,69-88.
Tekeste, N. (1996). Rethinking Education in Ethiopia. Nordiska Africanistitute
TGE (1994). Ethiopian Education and Training policy. Addis Ababa :MOE.
Tilleman, H.H. (1994). Training and professional Expertise: Bridging the Gap between New Information and pre- Existing Beliefs of Teachers. Teaching
and Teacher Education, 10,601-615.
Ting, Y.R.(1987). Foreign Language Teaching in China: problems and Perspectives. Canadian and international Education, 16, 48-61 .
Tompson, G. (1996). Some Misconceptions about Communicative Language Teaching. EL T Joumal, 50 ,9 - 15.
Valdes, A.1 ., and Johnes, A. C. (1991). Introduction of Communicative Language Teaching in Tourism in Cuba. TESL Canada Journal, 8(2) 57 - 63.
Wallace, M.J. (1998) Action Research for Language Teachers. London: Longman.
Widdowson, H.G. (1996). Authenticity and Autonomy in EL T.ELT Journal, 50, 67 -68.
Wilkins, D.A. (1972). The Linguistic and situational Content of the in Common Core Unit/Credit System. Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe.
Wright, T. (2000). Ideas for English Classroom: A Teaching Manual Produced by EEL TNET (pp. 7 - 13 ). Addis Ababa: British Council
Yonas Adaye (1996). Teaching Writing as a Process at Addis Ababa University at the First Year Level with Special Reference to College English. Unpublished
MA Thesis. Addis Ababa University: School of Graduate Studies
Anderson, J . (1993). Is a communicative Approach Practical for Teaching English in China? Pros and cons. System. 21,471-480.
Bachman, L.F.(1996). Fundamental Considerations in Language Testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Berg, B.L. (1989). Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Bogdan,R., and Biklen, S.K. (1990). Curriculum Innovation in Adult ESL. In G.Brindley (Ed.), The Second Language Curriculum in Action (pp232-248).
Sydney: National Center for English Language Teaching and Research.
Burnaby, A. and Sun, Y. (1989). Chinese Teachers' Views of Western Language Teaching: Context Informs Paradigm. TESOL Quarterly, 23, 219-238.
Bums,A. (1996). Collaborative Reasearch and Curriculum Change in the Australian Migrant English Program. TESOL Quarterly, 30, 591 - 598.
Canale, M. and Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical Basis of Communicative Approaches to' Second Language Learning and Testing. Applied Linguistics, 1, 1 - 47.
Celce-Murcia, M., Dornyei, l ., and Thurrel, S. (1997). Direct Approaches in L2 nstruction: A Turning Point in Communicative Language Teaching? TESOL
Quarterly, 31,141 -152.
Chau, L. , and Chung, C. (1987). Diploma in Education Graduates' Attitude Communicative Language Teaching. Chinese University Educational
Journal, 15, (2) 45 - 51.
Chick ,J.K. (1996). Safe- TalK: Collusion and Apartheid Education. In H. Coleman (Ed.), Society and the Language Classroom (pp.21 - 39). Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Cullen, R. (1994). Incorporating a Language Improvement Component in Teacher Teacher Training Programs. ELT Journal, 48, 162 - 172.
Daud, M. (19996). English Language Development in Tunisia: TESOL Quarterly, 30, 598 - 605.
Deckert (1987). The Communicative Approach: Helping Students Adjust. English Teaching Forum.
Denzin, N.K. (1989). Interpretative Biography. Newborn Park, CA: Sage.
Dublin, F. (1995). The Craft of Materials Writing. In P. Byrd (Ed.), Material Writers Guide (pp. 64 - 78). Boston: Heinle and Heinle.
Edge J. (1996). Cross-Cultural Paradoxes in a Profession of Values. TESOL Quality, 30, 9-30.
Ellis, G. (1996). How Culturally Appropriate is the Communicative Approach? ELT Journal, 50,213,-218.
Ellis, R. (1994). Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Oxford University press.
Finocchiaro, M., and Brumfit, C. (1983). The Functional National Approach: From Theory to practice. New York: Oxford University press.
Foros, S.S. (1994). Integranting Grammar instructions and Communicative Language use Though Grammar Consciousness-Raising Tasks. TESOL
Quality, 28,323-351.
Freeman, D., and Cazden, C.B. (1990). Learning to Talk like a Professional: Some Pragmatics of Foreign Language Teacher Training. Pragmatics and
Language Learning.
Goetz, J.p., and Lecopte, M.D. (1984). Ethnography and Qulitative Design in Educational Research. New York: Academic press.
Gonzales, A. (1985). Communicative Language Teaching in The Rural Areas: How Does One Make the Irrelevant Relevant? In B.K. Das (ED.), Communicative
Language Teaching (PP.84-1 05). Singapore University Press.
Hile Michael, Aberra. (1987). The communicative VS. the Traditional Approach to the Teaching of English Reading Comprehension at Addis Ababa University
Freshman Level: Communicative Study. Unpublished MA Thesis. Addis University: School of Graduate Studies.
Harmer.J. (2001) (3rd ed.), The practice of English Language Teaching. London:Longman.
Hitchock, G. and Hughes, 0 .(1995). Research and the Teacher: A Qualitative introduction to School-Based Research. London: Routledge.
Holliday, A(1994}. Appropriate Methodology and Social Context. New York:Cambridge university press.
IQUEST (2002). Improving Quality of English in Ethiopian Schools and Teacher Education Institutes. Unpublished Report Compiled by EL T Expert Groups,
Addis Ababa: British Council
Johnson, K.E. (1994). The Emerging Beliefs and instructional Practices Of PreService English as a Second Language Teachers. Teaching and Teacher
Education, 10, 439-452.
Kelly, P. (1980). From innovation to Adaptability: The changing Perspectives of curriculum Development. In M.Galton (ED.), Curriculum Change. The
Lessons of a Decade (PP.65-80). Leicester, England: Leicester University Press.
Kirkpatrick, T.A. (1984). The Role of Communicative Language Teaching in Secondary Schools: with Special Reference To Teaching in Singapore. In
R.B. Das (ED.), Communicative Language Teaching (PP. 171-191). Signore: Singapore University Press.
Kuzel, AJ. (1992). Sampling in Qualitative inquiry. In B.F. Crabetree and W.L.Milier (Eds.), Doing Qualitative Research (PP. 31-44). Newbury Park,
CA: Sage.
Larsen-Freeman, D. (1989). Techniques and Princioales in Language Teaching. New York: Oxford University Press.
Li, D. (1998). It's Always More Difficult that you plan and Imagine. TESOL Quarterly, 32, 667-703.
Li,X.J. (1984). In Defence ofThe communicative Approach. ELT Journal, 38, 2-13).
Lightbown, P. (1991). Input, Instruction, and Feedback in Second Language Acquisition. Second Language Research, ii-iv.
Lightbown, P., and Spada, N. (1990). Focus-On Form and Corrective Feedback in Communicative Language Teaching: Effects of Second Language Teaching.
Studies in second Language Acquisition, 12, 429-448.
Lincoln, Y.S. and Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Littlewood, W.T. (1984). Integrating the New and the old in a communicative Approach. In BK Das (ED.) Communicative Language Teaching (PP 1-
13). Singapore University Press.
Markee, N. (1997). Managing Curricular Innovations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Moon, J. (2000). Children Learning English. Heinemann: Macmillan.
Murdoch, G.(1994). Language Development Provision in Teacher Training Curricula. EL T Journal, 48,253-265.
North, B.(1997}. Perspectives on Language proficiency and Aspects of Competence. language Teaching, 30 (2) 93-100.
Nunan, D. (1991). Communicative Tasks and the Language Curriculum. TESOl Quartely, 25, 279-295.
Patton, M,Q. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Penner, J. (1995). Change and Conflict: introduction of the Communicative Approach in China. TESl Canada Journal, 12(2), 1-17.
Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University press.
Powney, J ., and Watts, M. (1987). Interviewing in Educational Research. London: Routledge.
Prahbu, N.S. (1987). Second Language pedagogy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Price, R.F. (1988). The politics of Cintemporatry Education Reform in China. In E>B. Gumbert (Ed.), Making the future: politics and Educational Reform
in The United States, England, the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba (PP.99-114). Atlanta: Georgia State University.
Reid, J.M. (1995). Developing ESL Writing Materials for Publication or Writing as a Learning Experience. In P. Byrd (Ed.), Material Writers' Guide (PP. 64-78).
Boston: Heinle and Heinle.
Richards, J.C. (1998). Beyond Training. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C. and Loxkhart, C. (1994). Reflective Teaching in Second Language Classrooms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C. and Rodgers, T. (2201) (2nd Ed.). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching: A Description and Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press
Sampson, G.P. (1984). Exporting Language Teaching Methods from Canada Journal, 1 (1) 19-32.
Sano, M., Takahashi, M., and Yoneyama, A. (1984). Communicative Language Teaching and Local Needs. EL T Journal, 38,170-177.
Savingnon, s. (1983). Communicative Competence: Theory and Classroom Practice. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. (1991). Communicative
Language Teaching: State of the Art. TESOL Quarterly, 25,261-277.
Schachter, J. (1991) Corrective Feedback in Historical Perspective. Second Language Research, 7,89-102.
Schmied, J. (1991). English in Africa: An introduction. London: Longman.
Schon, D.A (1991 ).(200 Ed.) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals think in Action. London: Temple Smith.
Shamin, F. (1996). Leaner Resistance to Innovation in the Classroom Methodology.In H.Coleman (Ed.) Society and the Language Classroom (PP. 105-121).
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Taylor, B.P. (1983). Teaching ESL: Incorporating Communicative Student-Centered Component. TESOL Quarterly, 17,69-88.
Tekeste, N. (1996). Rethinking Education in Ethiopia. Nordiska Africanistitute
TGE (1994). Ethiopian Education and Training policy. Addis Ababa :MOE.
Tilleman, H.H. (1994). Training and professional Expertise: Bridging the Gap between New Information and pre- Existing Beliefs of Teachers. Teaching
and Teacher Education, 10,601-615.
Ting, Y.R.(1987). Foreign Language Teaching in China: problems and Perspectives. Canadian and international Education, 16, 48-61 .
Tompson, G. (1996). Some Misconceptions about Communicative Language Teaching. EL T Joumal, 50 ,9 - 15.
Valdes, A.1 ., and Johnes, A. C. (1991). Introduction of Communicative Language Teaching in Tourism in Cuba. TESL Canada Journal, 8(2) 57 - 63.
Wallace, M.J. (1998) Action Research for Language Teachers. London: Longman.
Widdowson, H.G. (1996). Authenticity and Autonomy in EL T.ELT Journal, 50, 67 -68.
Wilkins, D.A. (1972). The Linguistic and situational Content of the in Common Core Unit/Credit System. Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe.
Wright, T. (2000). Ideas for English Classroom: A Teaching Manual Produced by EEL TNET (pp. 7 - 13 ). Addis Ababa: British Council
Yonas Adaye (1996). Teaching Writing as a Process at Addis Ababa University at the First Year Level with Special Reference to College English. Unpublished
MA Thesis. Addis Ababa University: School of Graduate Studies
