Experience of Professional Development Strategies: Context of Nepalese EFL Teachers

Professional Development (PD) for teachers in developing countries isan emerging emphasis despite limited resources. Evidence regarding theteachers’ experiences of PD activities in developing countries, includingNepal, are not well known. This study aimed to identify and discuss PDstrategies employed by Nepalese English as a foreign language (EFL)teachers and experiences. The study employed a qualitative researchdesign for data collection among 45 EFL teachers recruited from 15 highschools and colleges across the districts of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Dataon teachers’ age, gender, academic qualification, teaching experience (interms of number of years), and teacher training, their experiences aboutPD and the perceived benefits of the different learning strategies of PDwere collected using a questionnaire. The findings are presented in termsof the four main groups of PD strategies - self-directed, professionrelated,peer-supported and study-(research-) focused. We report that theNepalese EFL teachers have positive experience towards different PDstrategies. The EFL teachers have been benefited mostly from selfdirected(own teaching experience and self -monitoring), professionrelated (workshops, seminars and conferences), and peer-supported(learning from colleagues) PD strategies. The study recommends thatthere is a need for on-going PD activities for EFL teachers in Nepal

NARRATIVES AND IDENTITIES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF EMPIRICAL STUDIES FROM 2004 TO 2022

Amidst the recent surge in English language teacher identity research, this article systematically reviews existing research studies (n=30) conducted on English language teacher identity across English as a foreign language (EFL), English as a second language (ESL), and native English-speaking contexts that employed narrative inquiry as its methodology. Employing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework, the systematic review identifies major themes on teacher professional identity classifying articles on three broad stages of professional development from student teachers’ identity negotiation to novice teachers’ identity development and experienced teachers’ and teacher educators’ identity construction. It reveals that English language teachers’ identity is influenced by their practice in learning communities in varying contexts, macro factors like gender, race, ideology and discourse, critical incidents and agency, conflicting emotions, teacher education programs, and imagined identity and investing. In addition, the article offers a critical assessment of narrative inquiry in language teacher identity and gives suggestions for future research. Finally, it proposes a preliminary framework on the trajectory of identity construction and its implications for English language curriculum and teacher development

English Language Teachers’ Perceptions and Understanding of Content and Language Integrated Learning

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) focuses on content and language objectives in teaching and learning activities. The study has explored the English language teachers’ perceptions of the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach in the context of English language classrooms conducted in urban secondary schools in Kaski, Nepal. The study utilizes the narrative inquiry research design, remaining under the interpretive paradigm of the research. Four English teachers from different schools participated in this exploration, providing valuable insights that followed a systematic process to collect and analyze data. In-depth interviews using open-ended questions allowed for a comprehensive exploration of their perceptions. The study uncovered a multifaceted picture of English language teachers' perceptions of implementing CLIL. Teachers expressed varying awareness of the CLIL approach, highlighting the importance of training and continuing support for professional development. Challenges identified include a lack of training, insufficient CLIL materials, and low English language proficiency among students, hindering effective CLIL instruction. The study suggests that strengthening teacher training, resource allocation, and classroom management strategies can create a more conducive learning environment, fostering the successful integration of the CLIL approach in English language classes. The findings suggest the active involvement of educational authorities in addressing these challenges and promoting the effective use of CLIL for improved language instruction and classroom engagement

Exploratory action research: experiences of Nepalese EFL teachers

The number of reports and publications about exploratory action research (EAR) has been increasing in recent years; however, there is still a dearth of studies that examine its effectiveness for improving teaching and learning. This study explores Nepalese EFL teachers’ perceptions of EAR, the ways they explored their classroom issues, and how they acted to improve their classroom practices through involvement in an online EAR training course for a year. The data collected from interviews and the teachers’ written reports show that these teachers found EAR to be an effective approach to explore their classroom puzzles or problems and develop informed, context-sensitive strategies to solve these. The findings of this study are relevant for teachers, teacher educators, and education policymakers in providing insights into the value of EAR for bringing about changes in teaching and learning situations

Investigating English for Academic Purposes provision in South Asian higher education: current trends and future needs

This study investigates understandings and practices around English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in higher education (HE) in four South Asian countries in which English is the primary medium of instruction in HE: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The study aimed to establish the extent to which critical thinking, the use of source materials and the avoidance of plagiarism were perceived as useful by three stakeholder groups, and whether and how these are taught in university English courses. Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups were conducted with students, EAP tutors and subject lecturers at 14 HE institutes in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Observations of teaching were also carried out, and syllabuses, policy documents and teaching materials were examined. Findings revealed that, despite all three stakeholder groups reporting that these aspects of EAP were important for students to learn, they were not systematically taught nor included in syllabuses. English teaching in universities focused on general and some professional English rather than EAP, and teacher-centred styles of teaching meant that students enjoyed few opportunities to speak. The key concepts explored in this study were poorly understood by staff and students, and teaching staff were hindered from teaching EAP by lack of training and poor communication with academic departments

Linguistic Landscape and Language in Education in South Asia: A Critical Appraisal

This article examines the linguistic diversity, language hegemony, and policy initiatives aimed at resisting the dominance of English and other mainstream national languages, while promoting indigenous languages, cultures, and epistemologies in South Asia. The article critically assesses the adverse impact of British Raj  and its education policies, which aimed to produce “Brown Englishmen,” as well as the recent multilingual turn taken by South Asian countries through their language education and language-in-education policies. Additionally, the article discusses the prevailing influence of English due to globalization and general public perception of English proficiency that provides linguistic, cultural, and economic capital. Nine authors from various countries in South Asia critically reflect on the language in education policies and practices, sharing the shortcomings and the way forward. The article reports on the policy practice gap, that despite numerous efforts by South Asian countries to promote and revitalize local languages through policy interventions, many private and public schools are shifting towards English-medium instruction, thereby further marginalizing indigenous languages. The article argues for the decolonial reimagination of language policies and practices. It advocates for the thoughtful implementation of language in education policies to promote local languages, cultures, and epistemologies. The article concludes that, although macro-level policies are progressive, celebrating pluralism and linguistic diversity, these policies do not align with the meso-level (institutional) and micro-level classroom practices of teachers, hindering the preservation of linguistic heritage in South Asia