EFL Teachers’ Perceptions of Pluralistic Teacher Effectiveness: Iranian Teachers in Focus

Subject Areas :

Fahimeh Karvandi ¹ , Afshin Soori ² , Mohammad Ali Ayatollahi ³

1 - Department of English, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2 - Department of English, Larestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Larestan, Iran
3 - Department of Foreign Languages, Sepidan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sepidan, Iran

Received: 2024-03-15 Accepted : 2024-04-03 Published : 2024-04-03

Keywords: Effective Teaching, Pluralism, Pluralistic Education, Teacher Effectiveness,

Abstract :

Seeking to promote multicultural and multi-linguistic interaction and peaceful co-existence, pluralistic education is a democratic construct that encompasses diversity in language, culture, mindset, understanding, socio-cultural orientation, and communicative styles. Moreover, teacher effectiveness is a crucial factor in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching/learning. Combining the two concerns, this study aimed at exploring EFL teachers’ perceptions of pluralistic teacher effectiveness. It benefited from a basic interpretive design. A group of 30 Iranian male and female EFL instructors participated in the present study, selected through convenient sampling from State and Azad universities in Iran. A one-on-one semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data analysis revealed the following perceptions of pluralistic teacher effectiveness among EFL teachers : Building Verbal Relations with all Students, Identifying Learning Styles of all Students, Mastery over Content in Different Fields, Teaching through Different Teaching Methods or Strategies, Showing Care and Support to all Students, Teaching Reflectively, Being Accountable, Generating a Friendly Class Environment, Using Technology, Having Motivational Skills, Using Diverse Assessment Methods, and Enacting Classroom Fairness. The findings have some implications for EFL teachers, teacher educators, and teacher education curriculum planners.

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