Perspectives of Puerto Rican English Teachers on Teaching Speaking: Implications for Classroom Practices

The purpose of this study was to reveal the perspectives of English Puerto Rican teachers from one school district regarding teaching speaking in public schools. The study allowed teachers' voices to be heard and provided a view of their second language teaching practices, the problems they enc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Rios La Luz, Melissa
Format:	Dissertation
Language:	English
Published:	Ann Arbor ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 2017
Subjects:	Communicative competence Conversation Curriculum development Education philosophy Educational philosophy English as a Second Language English as a second language learning English teachers Language attitudes Language teaching methods Motivation Second language instruction Second language teachers Teacher attitudes
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Summary:	The purpose of this study was to reveal the perspectives of English Puerto Rican teachers from one school district regarding teaching speaking in public schools. The study allowed teachers' voices to be heard and provided a view of their second language teaching practices, the problems they encountered, changes they believed needed to be considered, and their frustrations and motivations toward the teaching of English in the Puerto Rican context. The information evidenced that teaching English in public schools on the Island is not an easy task. Teachers mentioned psychological features such as fear to speak, negative attitudes toward the language, and students' lack of motivation as elements that affect teachers' motivation. The high workload was also mentioned. These demands were overwhelming and caused frustration and lack of motivation. They also had concerns regarding the curriculum maps. All of these problems affect teachers' attitudes and contribute to students' low communicative competence. The study recommended the inclusion of courses that focus on how to teach speaking to second language learners within teacher preparation programs. Furthermore, there was an expressed need to review curriculum maps so that they can actually represent Puerto Rican students' proficiency levels and needs. Another recommendation was that teachers' workloads be reduced and that workshops regarding how to teach speaking effectively be provided. Moreover, the need for conversational courses or an additional English period to focus on teaching oral skills was recommended. Students need to be exposed to English, they need to have varied opportunities to practice the language.
Bibliography:	Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 78-09(E), Section: A. Education. Adviser: Elsie Candelaria Sosa.
ISBN:	9781369756432 1369756437