The Effects of Large Classes on English Language Teaching

Abdul Samad Roshan; Mushfiqe; Muhammad Qasim Gurbaz; Saifurrahman Rahmani

doi:10.55544/ijrah.2.2.20

Authors

Abdul Samad Roshan Department of Arabic, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, AFGHANISTAN.
Mushfiqe Department of Pashto, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, AFGHANISTAN.
Muhammad Qasim Gurbaz Department of Pashto, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, AFGHANISTAN.
Saifurrahman Rahmani Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, AFGHANISTAN.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.2.2.20

Keywords:

Large classes, English language teaching, effective feedback, evaluation

Abstract

Large classes are one of the issues that have been dealt with in the educational sector. Limited academic staff, educational marketing and massification of higher education have all contributed to a global shift in university class sizes. This conceptual paper aims to explore the effects of large size classes on English language teaching. The paper examines the challenges regarding teaching and learning in large classes by reviewing some of the empirical evidence against large class teaching. Giving effective feedback, marking load, lack of class discipline and monitoring, timely evaluation and noise were among the main problems that hindered teaching and learning in large classes. In terms of engaging students in activities and learning, all students could not participate in the activities as well as teachers could not pay attention to every individual student. Lack of materials such as textbooks, chairs, tables, and to name a few were other constraints in large classes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Al-Husseini, S. S. (2009). English language teachers' perceptions of class size and the factors that influence them. Ibra Journal of English Language Teaching, 48-65.

Al-Jarf, R. (2006). Large student enrollments in EFL programs: Challenges and consequences. Asian EFL Journal Quarterly, 8(4), 8-34.

Arias, J. J., & Walker, D. M. (2004). Additional evidence on the relationship between class size and student performance. The Journal of Economic Education, 35(4), 311-329.

Averett, S. L., & McLennan, M. C. (2006). Exploring the effect of class size on student achievement: What have we learned over the past two decades. international handbook on the Economics of Education, 329, 329.

Bahanshal, D. A. (2013). The effect of large classes on English teaching and learning in Saudi secondary schools. English Language Teaching, 6(11), 49-59.

Bloxham, S., & Boyd, P. (2007). Developing effective assessment in higher education: A Practical Guide: A Practical Guide. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Carless, D. (2007). Learning‐oriented assessment: conceptual bases and practical implications. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44(1), 57-66

Hadi, M. J., & Arante, L. T. (2015). Barriers in teaching English in large classes: Voice of an Indonesian English Language Teacher. Online Submission.

Horning, A. (2007). The definitive article on class size. WPA: Writing Program Administration, 31(1-2), 11-34.

Jimakorn, P., & Singhasiri, W. (2006). Teachers' beliefs concerning large-class English teaching at the university level. rEFLections, 9, 13-23.

Lazear, E. P. (2003). Educational production. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 116(3), 777-803.

Le, P. K. (2002). Problems, solutions, and advantages of large classes. Teacher’s Edition, (9), 9.

Nakabugo, M. G., Opolot-Okurut, C., Ssebbunga, C. M., Maani, J. S., & Byamugisha, A. (2008). Large class teaching in resource-constrained contexts: Lessons from reflective research in Ugandan primary schools. Journal of International Cooperation in Education, 11(3), 85-102.

Nguyen, H. T., Warren, W., & Fehring, H. (2014). Factors affecting English language teaching and learning in Higher Education. English Language Teaching, 7(8), 94-105.

Xu, Z. (2011) Problems and strategies of teaching English in large classes in the People's Republic of China. Veiwed, October, 28, 2015. Retrieved from http://ctl.curtin.edu.au/events/conferences/tlf/tlf2001/xu.html

Zher, N. H., Hussein, R. M. R., & Saat, R. M. (2016). Enhancing feedback via peer learning in large classrooms. Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 4(1), 1-16.