ERIC Number: EJ1085395
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jul
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1694-609X
EISSN: N/A
Service-Learning Might Be the Key: Learning from the Challenges and Implementation Strategies in EFL Teacher Education in Oman
Al Barwani, Thuwayba; Al-Mekhlafi, Abdo; Nagaratnam, Ramani Perur
International Journal of Instruction, v6 n2 p109-128 Jul 2013
Service-learning, a major reform in higher education, is considered essential for developing citizenship for the 21st century. This paper reports a study aimed at investigating the problems and challenges faced when implementing service-learning in pre-service education of teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and carried out in the Sultanate of Oman. The study also investigated the strategies that could possibly be used to overcome the challenges. A two-part questionnaire was designed and administered to a sample of 65 respondents comprising EFL instructors, pre-service student-teachers, administrators and administrative support staff. The first part of the questionnaire included 26 items covering 5 dimensions of challenges and the second consisted of 14 dimensions that covered a total of 77 strategies for overcoming the challenges identified. In general, the challenges were perceived to present serious problems in implementing service-learning; there were no significant differences between respondent groups on account of gender. The study also found that the strategies suggested were perceived to be very helpful in overcoming the challenges with no significant differences between faculty and administrators.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Measures (Individuals), Service Learning, Educational Change, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Questionnaires, Preservice Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Second Language Instruction, Language Teachers, Gender Differences, Educational Strategies, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, College Faculty
International Journal of Instruction. Usak University, College of Education, Ankara Izmir Yolu, 1 Eylul Kampusu, Usak, 64200, Turkey. Tel: +90-5357355455; e-mail: iji@ogu.edu.tr; Web site: http://www.e-iji.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Oman
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A