Browsing by Author "Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul"

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A comparison on the present scenario of CLT in both Bangla medium school and english medium school
(BRAC University, 2017-04) Sultana, Sabiha; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The topic of my dissertation is “A comparison on the present scenario o f CLT in Both Bangla Medium School and English Medium School. It tries to inspect about the implementation of CLT in both mediums. In addition, it tries to compare between the two mediums focusing on the features of CLT, teaching materials as well as the use of classroom activities. The data for this study was collected through a questionnaire both the students and the teachers and a observation from the researcher. It contains the result observation of one class from every school. The entire findings of the survey presents that there are some differences on the present scenario of CLT in both mediums. The study will also compare between the perception of CLT and the actual scenario of CLT in the classroom.
A comparison on the present scenario of CLT in both Bangla Medium School and English Medium School
(BRAC University, 2017-04) Sultana, Sabiha; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The topic of my dissertation is “A comparison on the present scenario o f CLT in Both Bangla Medium School and English Medium School. It tries to inspect about the implementation of CLT in both mediums. In addition, it tries to compare between the two mediums focusing on the features of CLT, teaching materials as well as the use of classroom activities. The data for this study was collected through a questionnaire both the students and the teachers and a observation from the researcher. It contains the result observation of one class from every school. The entire findings of the survey presents that there are some differences on the present scenario of CLT in both mediums. The study will also compare between the perception of CLT and the actual scenario of CLT in the classroom
A study on the role of textbooks in second language acquisition
(BRAC University, 2016-04) Trisha, Afrin Hossain; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The purpose of this study was to find out the importance of textbook in second language acquisition. This study attempted to find out the roles a textbook can play in second language acquisition and how important a textbook is for second language acquisition and teaching as well. Moreover, this study also attempted to find the ways through which textbooks can be effectively used for second language acquisition. To find out these things, the researcher did surveys in English medium schools. It has analyzed the surveys or the answers or responds of questionnaires by using pie charts and following quantitative method. This research also provided the recommendation which can help teachers in terms of selecting and adapting books for teaching second language and also using authentic materials for better learning from books, so that students can gather pure knowledge and information about second language through textbooks. There is no research which is free from limitations; similarly this research also faced limitations. By overcoming obstacles and limitations, this study finally became capable to find out the answers of research question.
An evaluation of the tasks of IX-X textbook "English for Today": An empirical study
(BRAC University, 2011-07) Zishnu, Zahin Antara; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The objective of this study is to evaluate the tasks in the English textbook currently used in classes IX and X of Secondary Schools in Bangladesh. It attempts to find out if the tasks are communicative as claimed in the preface of the book. The study also seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the tasks by analyzing the perspectives of the teachers and the students through questionnaire survey. It is very unfortunate in our context that even after completing SSC (class X and IX), students from the Bangla medium schools are still unable to demonstrate sufficient competence in all the four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in the target language. Since, English is the second language for the learners of Bangladesh, the greatest amount of exposure they receive is in their English classes in school which is very much text book oriented. Therefore, in the light of the recent theoretical developments in the field, the study examines the effectiveness of the tasks of the textbook "English for today for class IX and V. The study looks at: (a) definitions of task, (b) task components, (c) framework, (d) task difficulty, (e) empirical basis for task-based language teaching, and (f) focus on form in task- based language teaching. For this empirical research, the researcher used teachers' and students' questionnaire along with a researcher's checklist to evaluate the book. The results show that the tasks are very effective with a few drawbacks in some areas.
An exploration of EFL learners’ anxiety in an online learning environmental class
(BRAC University, 2018-12) Lamia, Jannatul Ferdous; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This research is based on a small scale of study that shed lights on ‘An Exploration of EFL Learners’ Anxiety in Online Language Learning’. Five private universities of Dhaka, Bangladesh have been selected. From there, 97 students and 28 teachers have participated in the survey. In order to conduct the survey, 21 close-ended questions have been developed to collect data. There are also four open-ended questions so that the researcher can observe both students’ and teachers’ psychology along with students’ anxiety level in online learning environment. This study also finds some mistakes in the English language learning procedure which needs to be corrected. The research will be beneficial for the EFL students to overcome their English language learning anxiety level with the help of online learning environment. It will also help teachers in their teaching process as well as selecting a feedback method to assist their students and help them to reduce their anxiety level in learning target language (English).
Analysis ESL teachers' motivational strategies in virtual classrooms: a study in Bangladeshi EFL context
(BRAC University, 2021-06) Rahman, Shawdipta; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
Motivation is one of the most critical factors that determine success in foreign language/second language learning. Because of its importance, L2 motivation is considered a great area of interest for researchers and practitioners. The use of motivational strategies in English language classroom can certainly improve learners' performance. In a distance education context, a teacher must know effective motivational teaching strategies. This study investigated the key motivational strategies that primary ESL teachers use to motivate their learners in virtual classrooms. The study adopted a mixed-method to collect data from 36 ESL teachers. The participants were divided into two groups realising the risk that the participants who rated some strategies as 'important'; might be hesitant to acknowledge to which extent they utilised these strategies in their classrooms. (First group=14; second group=22). Quantitative surveys measured the 'importance' and 'frequency' of using motivational strategies in the virtual classroom, which was later followed by a focus group interview with the selected teachers. This research highlights important motivational strategies perceived by the teachers, most utilised and underutilised motivational strategies, and teachers' overall perceptions regarding the use of motivational strategies in virtual classrooms.
Arundhati Roy's Treatment on Indian Reality in the God of small things
(East West University, 4/26/2006) Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
“The truth of art signifies its power to imaginatively inscribe hithero unknown dimensions of reality” (Surendra Narayan jha, Qtd in Indian Women Novelists in English 2001:145) Arundhati Roy’s the God of small Things unfolds a unique dimension of reality in general, and Indian reality in particular with ‘extraordinary linguistic inventiveness’ (the booker citation). Imbued with poetry, her narrative style dismisses the monopoly of ‘established reality’ to define what is real-in a way. Roy has attempted to de-define reality, like a few other promising Indians writing in English today. Centering on an engaging tale of a cross-caste doomed love between a paravan boy (untouchable) and Syrian Christian girl, the novel develops a number of themes to present Indian reality from different perspectives. Apart from the dominant language discourse, two other discourses prove to be central to the novel-1 socio-cultural discourse and 2 political discourses. This paper shows how the above-mentioned discourse have been infused into the fabric of the novel to offer a successful rending of Indian reality. The chapter “The Plight of the Untouchables” demonstrates how a rigid caste-structure plays havoc with innumerable innocent lives. The transgressors, who dare break the laws of love ( the laws that lay down who should be loved and how and how much), are treated cruelly. The next chapter ‘women’s place in a patriarchal society’ manifests how women are relegated to the status of mere ‘females’ as opposed to ‘male’ (Beauvoir, qtd in The Norton Anthology of the theory and criticism, 2001:2014. Inhuman treatment of women is inbuilt into the standards of behavior in a patriarchal society.
Assessment styles and students’ mental health at Bangladeshi private universities
(BRAC University, 2022-12) Islam, Maimuna Shafiqul; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The onset of COVID-19 has brought about drastic changes in everyone’s lives, especially of the student body. Although students are seen to perform well academically during the lockdown, the social media is strewn with cries of deteriorating mental health due to the sudden shift of some private universities from offline to online medium. The purpose of this study is to officially recognize those cries to depict the relationship between online assessment and mental health so that they can work together in harmony instead of one sabotaging the other. Four private universities have participated in this study. The participant selection is done through purposive sampling so that they fit the purposes of the study. The data collection procedure involved taking screenshots of mental health issues in relation to online assessment of undergraduate students’ Facebook posts of the respective university groups and conducting semi-structured interviews of undergraduate students. In total, 27 screenshots were taken and 16 interviews, conducted. Pseudonyms are used to refer to the participants. The researcher has used a conceptual framework by combining some established theoretical knowledge on depression, anxiety and burnout, drawn from official medical websites. Analysis of the data involved relating the elements to the students by transcribing the interviews including the hesitations, generating distinct codes upon reading the transcript, generating themes and subsequent themes from the codes derived. The data was then thematically analysed to relate the elements – depression, anxiety and burnout to the students based on the findings. The findings revealed that although there are few advantages such as availability of recorded lectures, majority of the participants faced great difficulties with the onset of the online semester and its coursework – the disadvantages such as isolation, alienation and rise of mental and physical health issues, such as depression and finger joint aches, outweigh the little advantage they enjoyed; and there are some participants for whom the change made no difference, suggesting that the online assessment style have worsened students’ mental health. Analyzing the data showed that particular modes of assessment made the students experience the symptoms outlined for depression, anxiety and burnout in the literature review of this study to a great extent because those assessment styles broke the principles of assessment - validity, reliability, practicality and authenticity, resulting in a negative washback. The researcher concluded that, indeed the online assessment style worsened the students’ mental health – they have depression – particularly, functional depression, burnout, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, given that it was absent during their pre-pandemic times.
Blended teaching technique in the modern educational system: its opportunities and obstacles for tertiary level students of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2021-09) Audity, Tasneem Islam; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This study aims to find out the comprehensive meaning of blended teaching, its proper design, and formation with a view to elaborating how learners adopt blended learning with the usage of online and traditional classroom environments simultaneously. Moreover, the study sheds light on the boundaries and limitations of blended teaching in the context of our country by discussing various factors that are viewed to be negative and complicated. It uses a close-ended and opinion-based questionnaire; an online survey for the students and a semi-structured interview questionnaire for teachers to collect information for analysis. Finally, the paper recommends effective solutions to overcome the possible issues related to blended teaching and learning.
Challenges and barriers to online learning: a tertiary-level study
(BRAC University, 2022-01) Mohiuddin, Farha; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This study aims to find out the main challenges of online learning and the barriers to using technology for online learning by Bangladeshi Undergraduate level students. Learners have beginner level experience in online learning; as a result, they faced challenges while interacting and utilizing technology in online classes. The participants are undergraduate students of six different private universities in Bangladesh. This is a mixed method with a survey of sixty-five participants as a primary instrument and an in-depth semi structured interview with twenty participants. Descriptive statistical for quantitative method and theme-based qualitative analysis was carried out for exploring the findings. This study finds that students struggle to participate in online classes due to lack of knowledge in educational technology and flexibility in using educational software. Moreover, the study reveals that they struggle to understand online lectures, adjust to a new environment, interact with teachers, and participate in online exams. Furthermore, the study documented undergraduate level learners' expectations and suggestions for making online pedagogy more efficient. In conclusion, it proposes recommendations for scholarly journal articles, experts, and stakeholders to improve online learning.
Challenges and benefits of using online learning platforms in English language teaching and learning in Bangladesh: a secondary school scenario
(BRAC University, 2021-09) Hossain, Farzana; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The sudden interruption in traditional face-to-face language teaching caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted educational institutions of all levels in Bangladesh. Schools, like other educational institutions switched to the online mode. For most of the instructors and learners, this crisis-driven remote learning has been a completely new experience, and it is a factor that could hinder the learning outcome of students. As a result, it is critical that students' experiences with online learning and teaching be explored. This study investigates how English as a Foreign Language (EFL) student at selected secondary schools of Dhaka city in Bangladesh dealt with online learning. Overall first-time online language learning experience, online courses, efficacy of online teaching and delivery, online learning mode and attainment of graduate qualities, usage and efficiency of educational technology devices, and online learning language skills were the topics of the survey. The study findings show that most of the learners hold positive outlook towards online instruction, and it also suggests that more teachers are needed to be taken under technological training courses. The findings emphasize the need of investigating students' online learning experiences and their consequences for online virtual language education design, implementation, teaching, and assessment.
Challenges faced attitudes developed while learning English as a foreign language: An empirical study of primary school in Munshigonj district.
(BRAC University, 2021-01) Nihal, L.M. Raghib; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This research looks into the matter of the challenges and attitudes towards learning English as a foreign language for the students in rural areas’ primary schools. In rural areas, English is first introduced at the primary level and the objectives of teaching English language at the primary level are to flourish their learning competence. For this research, the students of primary schools are the target persons. This research finds out the process of learning English language in rural areas’ primary schools. In the very early stage of teaching, it is the responsibility of the teachers to provide the necessary things like classroom materials, posters, flashcards, placards, visual aids for the students to make the class interesting and attractive. The students should know the English language at their very early stage so that they do not face any problem afterwards and they find it easy and amusing. However, the scenario is different in rural areas’ primary schools in comparison with the urban area’s schools. On the contrary, the teachers of primary schools may not have a very good idea in English language because of not having proper training. Most of the teachers do not have any idea how to make the English language class attractive. Besides, the researcher tries to find out the factors that interrupt English language learning and the scenario of primary schools’ learning procedure as well. The researcher always tries to highlight the research topic and explore the problems related to English language learning throughout the interviews with the learners and the teachers as well. Both the students and the teachers played a very important role for data collection procedure. The result of this study is to show the process of learning English as a foreign language in country side’s primary schools.
CLT based English Language Teaching and Learning in Secondary Education in Bangladesh: Expectations and reality. Teachers’ and students’ perspectives
(BRAC University, 2020-09) Saha, Choity; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This study is concerned with the real scenario of CLT based English language teaching and learning in secondary level education in Bangladesh. It aims to explore that the expectations from implementation of CLT in secondary level of education for English language teaching and learning meets the reality or not. It emphasizes on secondary level of education because this level works as a fundamental base for learners’ further higher studies. In spite of giving sufficient amount of time and attention towards policy making, methods and material reformation, English language teaching in secondary level education in Bangladesh fails to achieve desired outcomes due to mismatches between policy, planning and execution. Moreover, learners fail to achieve satisfactory proficiency level in English. Therefore, this study intends to explore the ground level situation of ELT in secondary level of education. This study will guide further researchers and practitioners to get ideas about the CLT based English learning-teaching situation in secondary level education in Bangladesh. The study qualitative in nature uses interviews (semi-structured) to collect required data. Interviews (semi-structured) represent detailed picture of English language teaching in secondary level of education based on teachers’ and students’ perspectives. The final result of the study suggests, lack of proper training, desynchronized training and practice field, impracticable classroom size, shortage of time, lack of technological support, inappropriate teaching and learning environment, lack of authentic materials, non- cooperative students, unskilled teachers, written exam based education system, pressure of institutions and higher authorities, guardians’ expectation limit the unimpeded practice of CLT approach. The practitioners of ELT in Secondary Level Education in Bangladesh believe that, this is high time to take these problems in account and rethink about the reestablishment of the Communicative Language Learning and Teaching method.
Critical discourse analysis of political talk shows of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2017-04) Islam, Sayeda; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The present study aim at critically analyzing the underlying ideologies in the political Talk shows in Bangladesh. The study focuses on the content of the discourse of the talk shows to analyze how linguistic features are used to propagate the ideologies. For critical analysis of discourse of the talk shows, critical discourse analysis approach has been taken. The presumption of the present study is that manipulation takes place to control and influence the audience.
Culture sensitivity and language learning: a tertiary level scenario
(BRAC University, 2011-07) Hasan, Lumma Maisha; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This study is concerned with the existing methods and approaches that are in action at the tertiary level. It attempts to assess the suitability of the current methods that are used in different private universities of Dhaka from the perspective of post-methods. In the postmethod era, the traditional methods/approaches are thought to be dead, and a method is only considered suitable when it is context sensitive. Our learners, even after studying English for twelve years, fail to acquire sufficient mastery over English. This may happen because of the somewhat inappropriate choice of methods by the teachers. Many a times, teachers of our country execute a given method without judging the context. As a result, a mismatch between the context and the method being implemented becomes obvious and when the learners come to a university, the mismatch may continue. This study aims to see the present situation and suitability of the methods implemented at tertiary level. In other words, the study aims to find out if the methods are context sensitive. It will provide future researchers a good understanding of the conditions of different methods and approaches. The results of this study can be used to make necessary modifications and enhancements in those approaches. The study uses interviews (semi-structured) to collect data. The findings show that the teachers of private universities in Dhaka make a conscious effort to contextualize features of different methods and approaches and implement them accordingly. At the same time, the teachers need to be aware of a few key issues which the researcher discussed as recommendations, for example, the status of English in Bangladesh, need for local materials, need for "needs analysis" etc. to improve the teaching standard of English of the private universities of Dhaka.
Different types of teaching techniques used by teachers in ESL speaking classroom: focus on secondary level Bangla medium students of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2017-04) Haque, Rabiya; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
Teaching technique is the way that every teachers use to create an effective English class. Different teachers have their own techniques and perform accordingly. The paper deals with the creation of various techniques and its implementation in class in order to create a communicative class. Besides, the paper talked about how the teacher took initiatives through techniques to arouse students’ motivation level to focus on learning. The study tries to find out the effectiveness of implementing various techniques in class of Bangla medium school. For the empirical research, the study used questionnaires survey for both teachers and students. In addition, an observation survey was prepared where a checklist was used that was as same as the questionnaires survey for in-depth information and to compare the results between questionnaire and checklist. The results, from the findings and analysis, reveal that in present scenario teachers using various techniques in class has a number of strength with positive responses from learners but at the same time has several weaknesses with negative responses too. Lastly, the study came up with various possible steps in order to overcome the negativity that the researcher found through survey.
Different types of teaching techniques used by teachers in ESL speaking classroom: focus on secondary level Bangla medium students of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2017-04) Haque, Rabiya; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
Teaching technique is the way that every teachers use to create an effective English class. Different teachers have their own techniques and perform accordingly. The paper deals with the creation of various techniques and its implementation in class in order to create a communicative class. Besides, the paper talked about how the teacher took initiatives through techniques to arouse students’ motivation level to focus on learning. The study tries to find out the effectiveness of implementing various techniques in class of Bangla medium school. For the empirical research, the study used questionnaires survey for both teachers and students. In addition, an observation survey was prepared where a checklist was used that was as same as the questionnaires survey for in-depth information and to compare the results between questionnaire and checklist. The results, from the findings and analysis, reveal that in present scenario teachers using various techniques in class has a number of strength with positive responses from learners but at the same time has several weaknesses with negative responses too. Lastly, the study came up with various possible steps in order to overcome the negativity that the researcher found through survey.
Effective Teaching Method for EAP courses in Bangladeshi Private Universities: A comparative study
(BRAC University, 2020-10) Shohid, Golam Benyeaz Ibney; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The remaining researches in English Language Teaching focus on the appropriateness of the EFL courses. Some studies focuses on different teaching Methods and its outcome. One of the most discussed topics is regarding GTM (Grammar Translation Method) or CLT (Communicative Language Teaching). These works and its participants are from primary and higher secondary education. These participants are yet to realize the significance of making suggestion on their learning. In last few years Private universities are growing in number in Bangladesh. The each discipline of these universities is being guided by the UGC (University Grant Commission). However, suggestions are given by the NCTB (National Curriculum and Textbook Board) on the curriculum of ELT in primary and higher secondary education. Currently, many private universities are offering EAP (English for Academic Purpose) courses to prepare their students for their further academic program. This paper discusses on the effective teaching method for EAP courses in these private universities. The study comprises a comparative study between two EAP courses from two different private universities of Bangladesh.
Effectiveness of pair work activities in ESL classrooms at the tertiary levels of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2018-08) Touhid, Tamanna; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
The research is based on a small scale study which explores the effectiveness of pair work at the tertiary level of Bangladeshi classrooms. It focuses on the students’ and teachers’ attitudes regarding the effectiveness of pair work activities in classroom settings and investigates to what extend it is proved to be effective for the students. It also finds out the difficulties to implement pair work which may hinder the success of language learning. Survey questionnaires and observation checklist are employed as the instruments for data collection procedure. From the findings, it is identified that majority of the students consider pair work activities as effective technique which enables them to learn by sharing knowledge. Moreover, majority of the teachers recommend pair work activities for its enormous benefits though certain challenges encounter to implement the activity successfully. Effectiveness of pair work varies depending on the learning atmospheres, contexts and the learners learning styles.
Effects and problems of speaking anxiety in Bengali medium classrooms of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 4/5/2017) Mahmud, Jehrin; Haque, Mohammad Mahmudul
This paper is concerned with learners of Bengali medium schools who suffer from speaking anxiety in English at secondary level classrooms. In this paper, the researcher basically tried to find out the problems which are responsible for speaking anxiety of the learners and the effects of anxiety. Moreover, the researcher gave some recommendations to minimize anxiety. The researcher conducted a survey among language teachers and learners from four secondary level schools which are located in Dhaka. It was done to find out the problems and effects that are responsible for creating speaking anxiety. The researcher followed quantitative questionnaire methods for data collection. Moreover, the researcher observed classes through the checklist. However, the research findings show that, anxiety affects learners’ personal, social and academic life. Moreover, they face a lot of problems due to speaking anxiety.