Class size and language learning in Hong Kong: the students' perspective

Background: There is currently ongoing debate in Hong Kong between the teachers' union and the Government on the reduction of large class size (typically more than 40 students) in secondary schools and whether smaller class sizes might facilitate improvements in teaching and learning. In fact, many Hong Kong secondary schools have already started to experiment with class size reduction. This study seeks to investigate from the students' perspective how class size reduction might alleviate one key psychological aspect of learning in Hong Kong and Asia, namely language learning anxiety. Research has shown that language learning anxiety can have a debilitating effect on students' classroom behaviour, and this study seeks to examine whether exposure to learning in a smaller class informs such findings.Purpose: This small-scale exploratory study aims to examine whether, and how, class size reduction might help to alleviate language learning anxiety, which has long been seen as an obstacle to second language acquisition.Method: This study employed multiple case studies in four Hong Kong secondary schools. Each case constituted one teacher teaching English language to first language Chinese students in a reduced-size class (where class size was between 21 and 25 students) and a large class (where class size was between 38 and 41 students) of the same year grade, and of similar academic ability. Multiple interviews were conducted with the four teachers, and data stemmed from group and individual interviews with 231 students. Student interview questions focused on their perspectives and experiences of studying in large and reduced-size classes. A total of 78 lessons were also observed across the four case studies. The data were analysed to identify any emergent patterns and themes.Findings: The research findings indicate that students reflect on their experiences of studying in reduced-size classes in a mature and confident way. Students reported that smaller classes promoted a strong sense of security within their classroom community and seemed to weaken students' fears of negative evaluation from their peers and teachers. Students also reported that they felt more confident about participating in English lessons and these perspectives were supported by evidence from classroom observations.Conclusions: This small-scale exploratory research study suggests that the student voice can provide insights into language learning classrooms. Data from the case studies reveal that students' sense of anxiety can be reduced in smaller classes and that class size reduction may assist in breaking down cultural barriers. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.postprin

An examination of teachers' perceptions and practice when teaching large and reduced-size classes: Do teachers really teach them in the same way?

Class size research suggests that teachers do not vary their teaching strategies when moving from large to smaller classes. This study draws on interviews and classroom observations of three experienced English language teachers working with large and reduced-size classes in Hong Kong secondary schools. Findings from the study point to subtle differences between teachers' perceptions and their subsequent classroom practice. Implications for professional practice and development are presented. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.postprin

How class size reduction mediates secondary students' learning: Hearing the pupil voice

This paper discusses the question of why and how class size can make a difference to teaching and learning from the students' perspective. Secondary school contexts and, in particular, the students' own voice on the issue of class size represent an under-researched area for class size studies. This paper draws on data from three case studies that examined secondary school English classes in Hong Kong (one large and one reduced-size class in each case). Both classes were of the same grade and taught by the same teacher. This paper positions the case studies within a broader context that focuses on class size and the processes that appear to be mediated by class size reduction. It also draws on interview data and findings from classroom observations. Notably, these data all suggest that students perceive smaller classes as being able to foster a greater sense of belonging and cohesion in their classroom, closer relations with teachers and enhanced participation levels in classroom activities. Crucially, findings also suggest that smaller classes can help to overcome some key cultural obstacles to learning such as language learning anxiety and the issue of 'face'. Some implications for teachers, trainers and researchers are also presented. © 2011 The Author(s).published_or_final_versio

Why ‘small’ can be better: an exploration of the relationships between class size and pedagogical practices

A central issue in the class size debate is that while cutting class size might lead to improved teaching and learning, it is also possible that it may not if teachers do not seek to exploit the advantages of a smaller class size through an alternative pedagogy. Research suggests that teachers do not change their pedagogy when moving from large classes to smaller ones. This paper focuses on pedagogical practices in large and reduced-size secondary school classes where the teacher is the same in both contexts; a research design that has not been employed in previous class size studies. The paper explores the relationships between class size and the pedagogical practices adopted by four experienced teachers in Hong Kong who are each responsible for one large and one reduced-size English language class of the same grade level. Drawing on mostly qualitative data, this study’s findings show that teachers did vary their teaching from one class to another with important differences noted in teacher–student interaction patterns, classroom organisation, the establishment of classroom rules and the teacher’s use of humour. At the same time, interview data reveal that teachers could not always explain or theorise their pedagogical decisions. Implications for professional practice are presented.postprin

Class Size Reduction: Key Insights from Secondary School Classrooms

This book provides a timely examination of the effects of class size reduction (CSR) on teaching and learning processes. It represents a departure in that the research covered focuses solely on the relationship between CSR and effective teaching in real secondary school classrooms. The book also presents a much-needed and powerful student voice on the impact of class size reduction on teaching and learning processes. It conceptualises the effects of class size on teaching and learning processes in secondary school classrooms, which are another under-researched perspective in this field. Drawing on multiple case studies concerning teaching and learning processes in large and small Hong Kong secondary-school classes, it highlights the qualitative differences in teaching and learning processes. On the basis of those studies, the book argues for a more purposeful, dynamic approach to education for teachers working in small or reduced-size classes

Curriculum Reform in HK Secondary Schools: using literary texts to promote reader response and creativity in the ELT classroom

Theme: Expanding Horizons of Language and Communication: ELT Issues, Challenges and Implication

Exploiting transcriptions of identical subject content lessons

This article describes a strategy employed on a teacher training course in Hong Kong involving the use of lesson transcriptions. Transcriptions from two course participants' English lessons were used to arouse greater classroom language awareness and promote reflection in one of the teachers, who was initially very reluctant to accept comments and suggestions on her teaching and interactive decision making in the classroom. Her attitude underwent a transformation following her exposure to lesson transcriptions taken from another teacher working in a different school but who was teaching the same subject content as she was. The article will document the changes in this experienced ELT teacher and will also show how emphasis upon lesson transcriptions as an alternative to the more conventional video-recording can promote self-reflection and raise awareness of classroom interaction, and exert a powerful influence on teaching and learning. © The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press; all rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Class size reduction in Hong Kong secondary schools: Using the pupils’ voice to promote better teaching and learning

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