Cultural awareness and intercultural competence (IC) of students in foreign language (FL) instruction have been widely examined (e.g. Byram, 1997; Belz, 2002). The importance of the FL teacher in aiding students' IC development is less extensively researched, however. Author (2014), Kohler (2015), Sercu et al. (2005) and Sercu (2006) are a few…

This study intended to investigate the motivating and/or de-motivating environments for teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) to conduct action research. Data were generated through a questionnaire, interviews, and focus group discussions. The results showed that there were both motivating and de-motivating factors. The motivating…

The research aims at exploring how macro and micro contextual factors have influenced on the construction of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers' identity in education reform contexts in Chile based on sociocultural theories. Grounded theory was used in the methodological design to analyse and categorize data utilizing the ATLAS.ti…

This case study explored the implementation of the case story method in practicum from the perspective of pre-service English language teachers. Twenty-one senior pre-service teachers were engaged in writing case stories based on their practicum observations and reflecting on those case stories collaboratively. The data obtained from the…

The constructs of teacher cognition and teacher identity have recently gained considerable attention in second language teacher education research for their crucial roles in understanding teacher learning. While a number of current studies have examined the contributions of both constructs, the connections between cognition and identity are yet to…

In the field of English Language Teaching (ELT), attention has been shifted toward the alternative role of teachers as transformative intellectuals whereby transformation in teaching occurs from control and technical operations to criticism and intellectual reflection. This role enables teachers to focus on marginalized students' lived experiences…

The hot debate of integrating technology into instruction has captured the interest of the world in the context of 21st century education. A considerable amount of effort has been presented in order to incorporate technology into education. In this respect, attitudes have been considered as a good indicator of the tendency to implement technology…

This paper discusses a study conducted in the Ledra/Lokmaci Milieu in Cyprus, the area in the centre of the divided walled city of Nicosia where Greek and Turkish Cypriots have to use English to communicate with one another. The aim of the study was to locate the effects of a learning space on language learners, teachers and syllabus designers.…

Learners' success in language learning always has implications for curriculum and instruction. Thus, it is important to take into account the kinds of learning experiences that these learners will find helpful in learning English as a foreign language; and, highlight them when planning a curriculum and adapting classroom activities. This study,…

Nowadays, language errors are viewed as indicators of learners' existing knowledge of the target language. Several studies have thus been conducted on the types and sources of these errors in order to help learners effectively acquire language skills. This is not an exception in Thailand where students' English writing has been reported to be a…

Based on a larger case study project at an English language teacher education program in Indonesia, this article demonstrates how Christian and non-Christian students negotiate their religious faiths in English-language-teaching (ELT) settings. In view of the critical spiritual pedagogy perspective, the current study defies dichotomizing religious…

Due to the significance of beliefs in giving direction to the activities of educators, the present study examined the beliefs of 12 Iranian pre-service teachers about democratic education. Overall, the findings of focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews pointed to a technicist and often an apolitical view of teaching held by most of…

In view of the minimal attention pronunciation teacher preparation has received in second language (L2) teacher education, this study examined the cognition (i.e. beliefs, thoughts, attitudes and knowledge) development of 15 student teachers during a postgraduate subject on pronunciation pedagogy offered at an Australian tertiary institution.…

The rhetoric around global connectedness and advances in information communication technologies (ICTs) suggests that: Professional life for the marginalised and isolated language teacher should be easier; the experience of language learners in Australian schools should be more meaningful and bring them closer to the languages and communities that…

This mixed-methods study borrowed Schwabian notions of practical curriculum inquiry (1969, 1971, 1973, 1983) to investigate students' perceptions of their English as a foreign language (EFL) curriculum and instruction in light of their interactions with the four commonplaces; i.e., teachers, learners, subject matter, and milieu. Data were gathered…