Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cairogal72]

Hello sister/fellow ESL teachers!

I'm a student at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and I'm collecting data for my study on the occurrences of target language culture (that's any culture associated with English-speaking countries) in ESL coursebooks. I've got a questionnaire that should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and I've included it in the body of this message. If you would prefer to receive it via email, please don't hesitate to PM me and say so. Thank you in advance for participating.

Q U E S T I O N N A I R E

1. Check the answer that best completes this sentence as it pertains to your class(es):

Ideally, the coursebook(s) I use for second language learners would�

0 include very few references, if any, to English-speaking culture
(s).
0 include some references to English-speaking culture(s), but no
more than other than references to non-English speaking
cultures.
0 include many cultural references to English-speaking culture(s).

1a. Please explain your choice here (use as much space as necessary):

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

2. Check the answer that best completes this sentence as it pertains to your class(es):

Overall, my students� motivation to learn English is _______ by the inclusion of content associated with English-speaking culture.

0 increased
0 decreased
0 unaffected

3. Check the answer that best completes this sentence as it pertains to your class(es):

Overall, my students� language acquisition is ____ by content specific to English-speaking culture(s).

0 helped
0 hindered
0 neither helped nor hindered


4. Does content associated with English-speaking culture(s) ever impair the forward movement of your class?

0 Yes
0 No


4a.If yes, please explain (specific examples are welcome):

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. Check the task types below that you believe present a challenge to your students based on cultural differences.

0 Students listen to a recorded conversation and answer
questions.
0 Students practice a scripted conversation from the text.
0 Students fill in the blanks to complete a written task.
0 Students complete matching exercises in written form.
0 Students role play.
0 Students write and deliver a speech in class.
0 Students are asked argue their own opinions in a debate.
0 Students are asked to argue opinions that are not their own in
a debate.
0 Students are asked to look at illustrations, images, charts and
then come to conclusions based on what they see.
0 Students work individually on an assigned task and then
compare their answers with other students.
0 Students must complete a task with very little help from the
teacher, but can ask their peers for help.
0 Students work as a whole class to complete a task.
0 Student work in pairs/groups to complete a task.
0 Students think hypothetically about a topic in order to
complete a task.
0 Students answer questions based on a passage they�ve read.
0 Students discuss a set topic in pairs/small groups.
0 Students write an essay.
0 Students write a letter.




5a. Please elaborate on the challenges those task types present to your students. Specific anecdotes from the classroom are appreciated.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________


Please feel free to comment openly about target language culture and its place in the ESL curriculum.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time!

[ddeubel]

cairogal72,

I don't mean to "pick on" you - so don't take it that way. You are just one of many who do surveys the old style way. Drives me crazy! Especially when teaching nowadays entails being knowledgeable about multi media and technology (yes it does -- used to be the photocopier was a challenge but a must, now it is computer applications, a must...).

You will get much better response and be able to process data much more quickly and pictorially using many of the statistical packages out there, many available free. I use www.formdesk.com which has a basic free package which will process up to 30 replies. More than that, you have to pay the basic fee of 49 pounds I believe.

sorry to nitpik...but this works wonders for anyone doing research and especially open ended surveys.

DD

[cairogal72]

Point taken, DD, and appreciated!