How to Develop Grade 7 Learners’ Research Skills by Using a Story-based Learning Approach in English Lessons?
Loading...
Authors
Baitokayeva, Laura
Issue Date
2024
Educational Level
ISCED Level 2 Lower secondary education
Curriculum Area
Geographical Setting
Kazakhstan
Abstract
Background and purpose: Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools in Kazakhstan strive to develop life skills of youngsters so that they become well-prepared for the challenges they may face when being an adult. A special attention is paid to research skills, as they comprise several crucial abilities necessary for life. This study shows the possibilities of developing students’ research skills in English lessons at a young age, when they are in grade 7.
Aims: The aim of this research is to apply story-based learning approach at the English lessons and to explore how it can help develop learners’ research skills such as making up questions, carrying out interviews, and identifying problems.
Study design or methodology: This is a lesson study research aimed to improve teaching and learning outcomes. The participants of the study were grade 7 students. There were 16 students aged 12-13 from 2 different groups. 4 English teachers observed the lessons and provided feedback. The research data were collected with the aid of surveys, interviews with students and lesson observation. Students’ feedback was also used. All the research methods helped to identify whether students liked the process, what they learned and how stories helped to develop their certain skills. The pre-research data that were collected with the help of a survey helped to identify whether it is appropriate to use the story-based learning approach with grade 7 learners.
Conclusions, originality, value and implications: Stories can be a great source for developing young learners’ research skills. Stories can be efficiently used for creating relevant questions, interviewing each other, identifying the problem and proposing solutions. Progress in language acquisition can be seen both in more able and struggling students. However, this requires a lot of effort and creativity from the teacher because he/she needs to develop activities that are targeted at developing young learners’ research skills.
Aims: The aim of this research is to apply story-based learning approach at the English lessons and to explore how it can help develop learners’ research skills such as making up questions, carrying out interviews, and identifying problems.
Study design or methodology: This is a lesson study research aimed to improve teaching and learning outcomes. The participants of the study were grade 7 students. There were 16 students aged 12-13 from 2 different groups. 4 English teachers observed the lessons and provided feedback. The research data were collected with the aid of surveys, interviews with students and lesson observation. Students’ feedback was also used. All the research methods helped to identify whether students liked the process, what they learned and how stories helped to develop their certain skills. The pre-research data that were collected with the help of a survey helped to identify whether it is appropriate to use the story-based learning approach with grade 7 learners.
Conclusions, originality, value and implications: Stories can be a great source for developing young learners’ research skills. Stories can be efficiently used for creating relevant questions, interviewing each other, identifying the problem and proposing solutions. Progress in language acquisition can be seen both in more able and struggling students. However, this requires a lot of effort and creativity from the teacher because he/she needs to develop activities that are targeted at developing young learners’ research skills.
Description
Keywords (free text)
story-based learning , story-based learning , language acquisition , research skills