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ERIC Number: EJ816972
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1172
EISSN: N/A
The Effectiveness of Direct Instruction in Teaching English in Elementary Public Education Schools in Kuwait: A Research Case Study
Al-Shammari, Zaid; Al-Sharoufi, Hussain; Yawkey, Thomas D.
Education, v129 n1 p80-90 Fall 2008
This paper focuses on the effectiveness of direct instruction in improving non-native student achievement in English learning. The study involved two groups in two English classes. Groups were selected from two different elementary public schools in the State of Kuwait. Study parameters were derived from a review of the literature and scientific research methodologies. Group one (experimental group) received direct instruction and group two (control group) did not receive direct instruction. The stages of direct instruction development, methods of validating designed direct instruction, application of the designed direct instruction, data collection and analysis procedures were properly defined. Study results indicated that children in the experimental class generally benefited from receiving direct instruction. This study has shown beyond doubt that direct instruction is a very effective approach in teaching English as a foreign language. The mean of the experimental group (3.52) was greater than that for the control group (1.09). The standard deviation (SD) for the experimental group was 1.40, while the control group's was 1.19. The mean rank of the experimental group was 30.52, while the control group's was 13.86. The test statistics (Z) was 4.427 with a P-value (0.000). The mean rank of the experimental group was also greater than that of the control group. More specifically, these tests indicated that using a direct instruction approach with the experimental group had better results compared to the control group (traditional method) in terms of student achievement. Direct instruction, which is more time-efficient in the classroom, can contribute substantially to the introduction of new methods such as pragmatics and conversational analysis that will improve English fluency in a non-native environment. Results reveal the importance of training Kuwaiti school teachers in direct instruction processes, and of creating national awareness of the effectiveness of this instructional approach. Demonstrating significant achievement in a short period of time is the benchmark of success in non-native environments. Direct instruction provides the best alternative to traditional approaches to teaching English as a foreign language. Campaigns to increase policy makers' awareness of the effectiveness of this alternative may lead to national educational reform. While facilitating this awareness is a large task, broadcasting the findings from this case study may begin to facilitate the implementation of direct instruction in all study fields. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)
Project Innovation, Inc. P.O. Box 8508 Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Tel: 251-343-1878; Fax: 251-343-1878; Web site: http://www.projectinnovation.biz/education.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kuwait
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A