The English Study Circle for Adult EFL Learners atHomemaker’s Union and Foundation in Central Taiwan

• Main Authors: Hui-chun Kao, 高慧君
• Other Authors: Jeng-yih Hsu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/97893333705138884121

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.