Problems, innovations and solutions: a case study of English Language Teaching (ELT) in Bangladesh

Rahman, Moursheda (1996) Problems, innovations and solutions: a case study of English Language Teaching (ELT) in Bangladesh. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This is a case study which was directed to investigate some of the problems in English language study and teaching that are presently being experienced at various levels of the educational system in Bangladesh. This study deals with the changing of English Language Teaching (ELT) methods in the light of students' needs and interests. It explores why and how present EL T methods fail to satisfy students' needs in learning to speak English more accurately and fluently. -- The study in this thesis is primarily qualitative and the methods of data collection consist of document study and questionnaire survey. The results of the study show that many English teaching activities which teachers commonly used fail to satisfy students' needs and interests. This lacking of interest has a negative impact on motivation to study English. Some negative feelings, such as frustration and boredom, have developed due to the uninteresting and unenjoyable teaching activities. -- The study also shows that there is a striking difference between what students believe to be enjoyable, and effective for making language study fruitful and what teachers believe. Students perceive that communicative activities are helpful for making a class enjoyable as well as effective for enhancing their English language proficiency. On the other hand, though teachers believe both communicative and non-communicative activities are important, non-communicative ones are valued more highly than the communicative ones. -- The mismatch between students' needs and expectations and the pedagogical philosophy and methods of teaching causes serious harm for learning a language. In recognition of this, the researcher recommended some solutions on the basis of the findings of the study. The discussion and recommendations generated from the research should be useful for changing English Language Teaching Methods in Bangladesh. It should also be useful to teachers in their quest for activities that are suited to their classroom environments, and administrators, as they grapple with curriculum development and programs for English language learning in Bangladesh.

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