English Language Teachers' Beliefs And Practices In Lowering Affective Filters In Teaching Speaking (Mettu Secondary And Preparatory School In Focus)
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Date
2011-05
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AAU
Abstract
The study was conducted to explore English teachers' beliefs and practices of
lowering affective filters in EFL classes. Some basic research questions, like, 1) to
what extant do English Language teachers have the knowledge about affective
filters?,2)to what extent do teachers attempt to minimize the negative influence of
the affective filters during teaching speaking?, 3) what practical techniques were
used by teachers to foster speaking skill of the learner by lowering the affective
variables? To answer these questions three tools: FGD, observation, and
questionnaire were deployed. FGD was used mainly to grab teachers' belief;,
observation was deployed to see the practices of teachers in real classrooms;
and the questionnaire was used to get evidence from the students. The data
gathered was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed
that English teachers in the school had good awareness about affective filters
and they were using different practical techniques to combat the negative effects
of affective filters . Though the teachers were doing a good job in lowering
affective filters, this study didn't neglect some gaps on which teachers need to
focus. It was recommended that English Language teachers of the school should
enrich themselves with up to date knowledge of FL teaching, should be alert to
know and tackle some psychological problems in FL classes, should not ignore
some useful techniques of lowering affective filters like students' constructive
peer correction. Experience sharing between teachers, conducting action research
to improve students' English speaking skills and arranging some extra times for
improving English speaking were also among the issues recommended.
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Keywords
The study was conducted to explore English teachers' beliefs