Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom

The purpose of the study was to explore ways of making ESL classes more engaging for language learners at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). To this end, an instructional method known as ‘Community of Inquiry' (CI) where students sit in a circle and explain, challenge and jus...

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Main Author:	Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	IIUM Press 2013
Subjects:	L Education (General) PE English
Online Access:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/2/2013_Make%20it%20Mean.pdf

id	iium-63279
recordtype	eprints
spelling	iium-632792018-04-10T11:06:29Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/ Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan L Education (General) PE English The purpose of the study was to explore ways of making ESL classes more engaging for language learners at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). To this end, an instructional method known as ‘Community of Inquiry' (CI) where students sit in a circle and explain, challenge and justify one another’s opinions, arguments and assertions was combined with specially written ‘thinking stories' containing philosophical issues and elements of relevance to learners' culture. Two such stories were written and taught to a class of intermediate level, ESL learners at IIUM, over a five-week period, using CI method. Qualitative research methodology was utilized to evaluate learners' responses to the method and materials. Data collection instruments included: in-depth interviews, student-diaries, focused-group observation and teacher’s diary entries. The data was subsequently transcribed, analysed and arranged into themes and sub-themes using Nvivo - a qualitative research software. The results of the research showed that CI method, combined with thinking stories, holds great potential for improving all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in a holistic way. For example, speaking and listening were practiced through CI discussions; grammar and vocabulary were learnt in-context using the thinking stories; pronunciation was practiced during read-aloud sessions of the stories and the philosophical issues and questions discussed provided an excellent stimulus for written work. In addition, students' confidence to speak-up in class grew, as did their ability to use critical thinking skills. It appears that combining CI method with thinking stories satisfied learners' cognitive, affective and cultural needs, and this, in turn, helped to increase their intrinsic motivation to study English - an important factor for effective language learning. The paper ends by suggesting ways to improve CI method for future implementations of this new approach to second language learning. IIUM Press 2013 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/2/2013_Make%20it%20Mean.pdf Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan (2013) Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom. IIUM Journal of Educational Studies, 1 (1). pp. 25-54. ISSN 2289-8085 http://journals.iium.edu.my/ijes/index.php/iejs/article/view/15
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Local University
institution	International Islamic University Malaysia
building	IIUM Repository
collection	Online Access
language	English
topic	L Education (General) PE English
spellingShingle	L Education (General) PE English Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom
description	The purpose of the study was to explore ways of making ESL classes more engaging for language learners at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). To this end, an instructional method known as ‘Community of Inquiry' (CI) where students sit in a circle and explain, challenge and justify one another’s opinions, arguments and assertions was combined with specially written ‘thinking stories' containing philosophical issues and elements of relevance to learners' culture. Two such stories were written and taught to a class of intermediate level, ESL learners at IIUM, over a five-week period, using CI method. Qualitative research methodology was utilized to evaluate learners' responses to the method and materials. Data collection instruments included: in-depth interviews, student-diaries, focused-group observation and teacher’s diary entries. The data was subsequently transcribed, analysed and arranged into themes and sub-themes using Nvivo - a qualitative research software. The results of the research showed that CI method, combined with thinking stories, holds great potential for improving all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in a holistic way. For example, speaking and listening were practiced through CI discussions; grammar and vocabulary were learnt in-context using the thinking stories; pronunciation was practiced during read-aloud sessions of the stories and the philosophical issues and questions discussed provided an excellent stimulus for written work. In addition, students' confidence to speak-up in class grew, as did their ability to use critical thinking skills. It appears that combining CI method with thinking stories satisfied learners' cognitive, affective and cultural needs, and this, in turn, helped to increase their intrinsic motivation to study English - an important factor for effective language learning. The paper ends by suggesting ways to improve CI method for future implementations of this new approach to second language learning.
format	Article
author	Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan
author_facet	Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan
author_sort	Preece, Abdul Shakour Duncan
title	Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom
title_short	Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom
title_full	Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom
title_fullStr	Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom
title_full_unstemmed	Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom
title_sort	make it mean! using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the esl classroom
publisher	IIUM Press
publishDate	2013
url	http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63279/2/2013_Make%20it%20Mean.pdf
first_indexed	2023-09-18T21:29:45Z
last_indexed	2023-09-18T21:29:45Z
_version_	1777412431151104000

Make it mean! Using a ‘community of inquiry’ to improve language skills in the ESL classroom

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