Content area
Abstract
The overall purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore how a successful secondary school foreign language teacher processes her pedagogical practice. In addition to the language teacher specified in this study as the primary participant, two administrators, two colleagues, and fifteen students of the individual informant who know her well were also invited to participate in this study for the purpose of facilitating the reliability of the research. All participants were purposefully selected. Classroom observations, and open-ended interviews with teachers, students, and administrators were conducted for data collection. Documents and visual images about the primary teacher were also gained for additional sources of data. The whole data gathering procedure lasted a period of approximately eight months.
Results were discussed under five categories. The findings indicated that creativity and flexibility contributed tremendously to effective teaching and learning. A relaxed atmosphere in the learning setting was also crucial in promoting better language use. Culture was inseparable from language education because a language reflects parts of its culture. It was also important for teachers to realize the shift of teacher role from the authority figure to a helper and a guide, and be open-minded to accept such change.
The final ingredient for successful language teaching was to go beyond the school setting. This means making connections with people in the community and in the world to promote better understanding and further appreciation of different cultures and peoples.
In conclusion, the study suggested that teaching is an uncertain craft. Teachers need to view it as an art and perform it like artists craft their work. Therefore, an open mind is required and creativity should be allowed in the pedagogy for innovation and the achievement of successful language teaching and learning.
