PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR SAUDI ENGLISH FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS
Open Access
- Author:
- Althewini, Abdulaziz M.
- Area of Honors:
- Teaching English as a Second Language
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Karen E Johnson, Thesis Supervisor
Karen E Johnson, Thesis Supervisor
Joan Kelly Hall, Thesis Honors Advisor
Susan G Strauss, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- language awareness
teachers
education
language skills
EFL
Saudi - Abstract:
- This professional development workshop, designed for Saudi English Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, utilizes a learner-centered approach to develop teachers’ linguistic as well as pedagogic knowledge, skills, and abilities. It adopts Wright’s (2002) model of language awareness which offers a framework of creating language learning and teaching activities based on real language data. Wright’s (2002) model is flexible enough to include not only issues about the language system but also the social and pedagogical issues that teachers find relevant to their instructional contexts. This workshop creates opportunities for teachers to work collaboratively with students and administrators of English language curriculum through the adoption of a modified version of Seidel’s (1998) Collaborative Assessment Protocol. Following the modified format of this model, teachers will learn about each others’ experiences, exchange feedback with administrators, and become more aware of their students’ perspectives toward learning English. The workshop will help teachers understand the theoretical basis of Savignon’s (2003) model of Communicative Language Teaching by outlining its principles and practical uses of English. The teachers will also come to recognize the importance of learner motivation in English language learning in the Saudi context. They will understand, exchange, create, and practice several strategies to create a supportive and motivating atmosphere in their English language classrooms.