Learning Styles in Classroom Essay
Learning Styles in Classroom Essay
Learning Styles in Classroom Essay
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other hand, some Cambodian learners reveal that they face a lot of pressures of how to adapt the new cultural environment and how to get on with their peers in class. Some feel lonely because the ways they dress or talk are so different. (Nguyen 2001) As for the case of EFL Cambodian classrooms, Keuk (2009), found in his study that most teachers practical habitual teaching methods such as vocabulary translation from L2 to L1. Accordingly, students are taught to memorize chunks of English language with mainly focused on grammar and vocabulary.
EFL students learning styles mean techniques, behaviors, actions, habits and steps employed by learners learning English as a Foreign Language to improve and develop their different language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Moreover, the term learning style refers to the general approach preferred by the student when learning a subject, acquiring a language, or dealing with a difficult problem (Oxford 2001; Reid 1998)
In a study by (Hayes, 1997; Strevens, 1978; Harmer, 1983), large English classes are often related to lack of control and concentration, disruption, classroom interaction, particularly lack in the ability to speak English fluently. Moreover, overcrowded class is one of the constraints on effective teaching and learning. Also, large classes reduce teachers attention, produces real physical discomfort and distraction that negatively affect learners attitudes towards their learning. Bloom (1976), creating opportunities for small class group work which helps each other and proves to be a useful way to motivate students and correct errors. He also believed that the size of the group is one of the main elements which influences in language learning. In dealing with the problems associated with large classes, Nnaji (1991) proposes tutorial classes as a solution to help reduce the menace of large classes. She believes that tutorial classes should be used to curtail the shortcomings of large classes. According to her, tutorials are discussion sessions where the teacher and his students talk to each other and express their views on topics they did not fully understand The learning style of Cambodian students is typically memorization at the expense of realistic purpose. Therefore, they would rather learn grammar and reading than on listening and speaking. Specifically, most Cambodian learners feel more comfortable with having things written on the whiteboard in order that they can copy them down and study at home. They hope to get handouts of summaries or lecture outlines. On the other hand, some Cambodian learners reveal that they face a lot of pressures of how to adapt the new cultural environment and how to get on with their peers in class. Some feel lonely because the ways they dress or talk are so different. (Nguyen 2001) However, a number of personality characteristics have been associated with successful language learning. These include being willing to take risks (Ruben 1979 as cited in Willis 2001), having self-confident (Heyde as cited in Freeman and Long 1991), and being interested (Ellis and Sinclair as cited in Willis 2001)
to the lack of self-reliance, prior, knowledge about topics, and poor relationship between teacher and learner. In order to deal with students limited knowledge, she recommended speaking teachers make active the students' prior knowledge by asking questions relating to topics under debate. Also, she suggested that students' self-esteem can be improved and their nervousness reduced by asking them to work in small groups. To achieve a higher quality of the teaching of EFL speaking and to improve the speaking skill of Indonesian EFL learners, Mukminatien (1999), suggested teachers give their learners more adequate input for acquisition in the classroom and push them to use English either in or outside the classroom. More specifically, Citraniugtyas (2005) stated that a silent speaking class can be made more active by assigning tasks which develop students' critical thinking skills. Purjayanti (2003) found presentation to be helpful to encourage students to communicate ideas in their fields of study. She added that through presentation and its preparation students were able not only to practice speaking, but also to search for materials and deliver them in a planned way. Small group discussion is an additional activity that can be conducted in EFL speaking classroom. Its aim is to facilitate learners to be participated actively in a discussion concerning with students limited number. In a study of Murdibjono (2001) demonstrated that discussing in small groups is an effective activity so that students have more time to practice speaking with their classmates.
Since the Chinese students poor communicative ability in oral and written English, there is a concern in English teaching and learning in China. In the article by Yan (2006) explored a successful method so as to develop students speaking ability. As a result of the finding, Scenario-based Learning, two reflective models are introduced to improve the oral and writing in English. Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) is a structured method for figuring out some issues impacting the lives of specific individuals or groups of individuals. Also, It confronts students with an important context based on real life situation which requires them to take part in an imagined series of events. In the study by Osman (2010), investigates the difficulties faced by beginner academic writers and proposes recommendations to help these writers to be better collaborative writers. In the finding of the study, beginner writers have difficulties during their collaborative writing, including inability to work with their partners, poor language proficiency, poor research skills, having limited time to discuss, lacking ideas, facing stress during collaborative writing, ; therefore, it is suggested that the university and the lecturers should provide them with the opportunities of (1) providing intensive reading program ; (2)teaching interpersonal skills; (3) teaching time management; (4) providing pre-collaborative writing sessions; (5) providing pre-collaborative writing sessions ;(6) and providing teacher/ peer assistance According to Bereiter and Scardamalia (1987) as cited in Rouiller (2005), writing generally suffers from lack of interaction that stimulates oral production in conversation. However, to ensure successful learning, Lam & Wong (2000) as cited in Lourdunathan & Menon (2005), believe that learners should demonstrate appropriate cooperative behavior and peer support. It is necessary because some students have difficulties in organizing their ideas and are weak in English language as well. This can hinder them from participating in their collaborative work.
3.2 Participants
This is a case study which explores the learning styles of Cambodian university students. The participants of this study will be selected from one private university in Phnom Penh. The sample will consist of 6 students, who are studying English Literature in that university. Also, the researcher will choose both female and male students. Before conducting interviews, the researcher will make an appointment and notify the reasons of visit to the Rector of University.
3.3 Instrument
With the purpose of getting trustworthy information, unstructured interview, informal conversation and participant observation will be used in order to obtain reliable data. Interviews will be tape-recorded and open-ended questions (see below appendix for details). In addition to the above interviews, class observation will be useful tool to obtain data. The observation checklist will basically focus on students learning styles both in classroom and outside classroom.
Since the qualitative data collection procedure requires the research to immerse completely in the nature setting, the researcher will carry out unstructured interview after observation and taking notes. The interviews will consist of openended questions and tape-recording (see Appendix below) for the details. Prior to carrying out the interviews, the researcher will ask permission from university rector and students. The researcher expects each interview will take around 50 minutes and occur in the university or outside the university. The options for selecting site for interview will be provided for the participants because it helps reduce the participants difficulties. Moreover, the study objective will be verbally informed to participants before conducting interviews. With permission from participants, the researcher will use tape-recording to record the whole interviews. The researcher might ask different participants to answer the questions based on their preference. The researcher will personally observe English students using participant observation techniques. The observation will basically focus on students learning styles in classroom. The students will be asked to provide their responses about the learning styles of EFL Cambodian university students based on their ideas. The observational protocol will include the descriptive activities in the setting and reflective ideas from the researcher. Besides these observations, informal conversation will be made with participants in order to obtain deeply their perceptions about language learning styles. The researcher may take a few brief notes in the field setting but take notes of teaching techniques and behaviors after observation.
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