Studies in Humanities and Education

A Case Study of Chinese Female Doctoral Students in a Malaysian University

2023-07-03T03:55:44+00:00

Studies have proven the negative influence of stress both on doctoral students’ academic performance and their well-being from different contents. The stress sources were also well investigated in the past literature. However, the situation of female Chinese doctoral students, especially those who have married with children and left their families behind to study in Malaysia just after the reopening of post-pandemic was still rare. To bridge the gap and understand the challenges faced by them, this case study investigated the current situations faced by female doctoral students from China studying in a public Malaysian university with a purposeful sampling method. Five purposefully chosen participants were interviewed and the transcripts were analysed thematically. The findings indicate that their lives in Malaysia are satisfactory. In general, their lives as doctoral students in Malaysia are relatively less stressful, which contradicts the findings from some past literature. The specific characteristics of these five participants of this case study such as the identity transformation to be a full-time female doctoral student and the similarity between local culture and Chinese culture can be utilized to explain the different findings.

Assessing Teachers' Attitudes towards the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria

2023-04-30T18:51:58+00:00

This study assessed the attitude of teachers toward the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and her programmes in Ekiti State. The study employed the descriptive survey research type of the non-experimental design. The study's population consisted of secondary school teachers in Ekiti State. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used for sample selection for the study. In all, the sampled teachers were 149. The reliability of the instruments was determined by the Cronbach alpha method. These instruments were: Teachers' Attitude towards the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria Questionnaire (r = 0.87); Teachers' Attitude to the Professional Qualifying Examination of the TRCN Questionnaire (r = 0.82), and Teachers' Attitude to the Programmes of the TRCN Questionnaire (r = 0.81). Descriptive statistics was used in analysing the data for the study.. Findings show that teachers in the State have positive attitude towards the TRCN, its professional qualifying examination, and programmes. Thus, it is recommended that continuous professional development opportunities be provided for these teachers to boost and sustain their positive attitudes towards the agency.

Exploring Perspectives and Reform Dynamics

2023-07-07T02:25:32+00:00

In this study, our objective was to delve into the perspectives of Tunisian public elementary school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers regarding the merits of introducing English at a younger age. We sought to test the hypothesis that an early start in English language instruction, following the "the younger the better" notion (Lenneberg, 1967; Penfield, 1959), would yield positive outcomes. To accomplish this, we collected data through a quantitative approach, involving a sample of 30 teachers, and conducted interviews with five English language inspectors representing different regions of Tunis.

The analysis of the data revealed that a significant number of teachers in the observed Tunisian elementary schools acknowledged the importance of initiating English education at an earlier stage, recognizing the pivotal role English plays in the curriculum, and acknowledging children's remarkable enthusiasm for foreign language learning. However, despite this recognition, the Ministry of Education has not taken substantial steps towards implementing changes in the educational system.

The findings of this study underscore the significance of English language instruction in Tunisian schools, and both educators and policymakers concur that lowering the age at which English is introduced offers distinct advantages to young second language learners by increasing their exposure to the language. The growing prominence of English education in public schools indicates its potential influence on future educational enhancements in Tunisian public schools.

Empowering Subject Matter Awareness through Exploratory Practice: Embracing Practitioner Research in the AI Era

2023-08-10T14:39:33+00:00

A noteworthy challenge encountered among university EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners lies in their deficiency pertaining to subject matter awareness, a crucial dimension of self-directed learning. This deficiency mainly hampers their ability to effectively deploy critical thinking strategies. This issue has been further exacerbated by the prevalent trend of students heavily relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for various educational tasks. To address this multifaceted challenge, this experimental research was conducted within a Lebanese English medium university. The core objective of the study was to cultivate students' subject matter awareness by integrating the Exploratory Practice [EP] instructional approach into their writing classes. The research encompassed two distinct groups: an experimental group and a control group. In-depth exploration was pursued using a mixed-methods approach. The outcomes of the study highlighted a significant transformation within the experimental group's subject matter awareness. In conclusion, this study underscores the imperative of nurturing students' subject matter awareness. Through skillful incorporation of EP into writing classes, educators can cultivate a revitalized sense of self-directedness and cultivate critical engagement within learners. This strategic integration not only equips them with essential skills but also empowers them to navigate the complex educational landscape infused with AI.