Action researching power in an ESL and academic writing classroom.

Purpose - The teaching of English and academic writing in universities has largely been explored in western higher education settings by native English speakers from the UK, USA or Anglo-countries. The purpose of this paper is to use action research as a methodology to unravel local complexities in...

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Publicado en:Qualitative Research Journal (Emerald Group Publishing Limited) Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 155 - 166
Autor principal: Abraham, Alison
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Emerald Publishing Limited 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        10.1108/QRJ-12-2014-0068
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        atl: Action researching power in an ESL and academic writing classroom.
      aug:
        au: Abraham, Alison
        affil: Department of Education, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
      su:
        Classrooms
        Universities & colleges
        Learning
        English as a foreign language
        Academic discourse
      sug:
        subj:
          Classrooms
          Universities & colleges
          Learning
          Language Schools
          Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
          English as a foreign language
          Academic discourse
      keyword:
        Academic literacies
        Academic writing
        Action research
        Power
        Academic literacies
        Academic writing
        Action research
        Power
      ab: Purpose - The teaching of English and academic writing in universities has largely been explored in western higher education settings by native English speakers from the UK, USA or Anglo-countries. The purpose of this paper is to use action research as a methodology to unravel local complexities in power relations within and beyond her ESL academic writing classroom, in a British Malaysian university setting. Design/methodology/approach - Power relations are examined in conjunction with the lens of Academic Literacies as a theory to think about teaching academic writing. The author's action research cycles allow her to gain an insider perspective on her students' academic writing and learning problems. Findings - Through the use of stories collected from diaries, interviews and letters, the author is able to make sense of their learning experiences in a way that connects the individual with the social. Research limitations/implications - Although time-consuming, the action research cycles helped the author to gauge what does or does not work in the classroom and how she can best improve her practice and the students learning, once she reflected on the findings. However, given the oppressive nature of hierarchical institutions that can deter the raising of issues, the limits of action research in making more widespread changes to teaching and English language usage in a former colony's institution are explored. Originality/value - It appears that the internal power relations between teacher and student can alter somewhat, although not massively, within the confines of one classroom, but there is less potential for effecting broader institutional change from the positioning of one junior lecturer.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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