| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立高雄第一科技大學 === 應用英語所 === 94 === ABSTRACT
This study attempts to investigate the implementation of study circle format in an
EFL classroom. Although English Study Circle is gaining its popularity in Taiwan
recently, academic research about it is still in infancy. What is English Study Circle?
What does an English Study Circle for adult EFL learners look like? What kind of
syllabus is appropriate for adult EFL learners? The answers remain unknown. Therefore,
the researcher designed a course based on the study circle format for adult EFL learners,
trying to explore the essence of English Study Circle.
The study was conducted in the Homemaker’s Union and Foundation in central
Taiwan. With ten middle-aged participants, the course lasted 16 weeks in 40 hours.
Materials used included simplified novels, inspiring articles, on-line news, and story
PDF 檔案使用 "pdfFactory" 試用版本建立 www.pdffactory.com
III
books. Data was collected through five instruments: audiotaping, an outsider’s
observation logs, teacher’s observation logs, students’ final self-evaluations, and students’
interviews.
Results of the analysis indicated that: (a) A warm, sharing, and cheering learning
environment is essential in English Study Circle. (b) Learners attended in English Study
Circle possess spontaneous, independent, and determined characteristics. (c) The English
Study Circle exhibits a reciprocal relationship between the teacher and the students. (d)
The English Study Circle provides a chance not only for learning English but also for
personal growth. (e) An appropriate syllabus for the English Study Circle should include
a feasible goal: to develop adult students’ awareness of becoming autonomous learners. (f)
Teaching materials preferred in the English Study Circle are simplified classical novels,
inspiring articles, movies and story books. (g) Weekly themes favored in the English
Study Circle include humanistic stories and culture/literature. (h) Class activities
suggested in the English Study Circle are warm-up, presentation, and role-play. (i) A
special training for the English Study Circle teacher is needed. (j) Teacher’s role in
English Study Circle is indeed more of a leader but less of a teacher. (k) A close
relationship between teacher and students in the English Study Circle is essential.
|
|---|
