Implementing Andragogy in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in China: A Dream yet to be Realized

 

Victor C. X. Wang

California State University, Long Beach, USA

[Abstract] This study investigated the possibility of whether Western andragogy could be practiced in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in China. A well-accepted instrument was modified and utilized for this study. Chinese teachers of English taught andragogically to some extent such as personalizing instruction, relating to experience, assessing student needs and climate building. The findings showed these teachers taught the lower levels of Bloom’s (1956) taxonomy, which are characterized by rote learning, memorization, knowledge transmitting, lecture, and focusing on exams. These teaching methods run contrary to Western democratic approaches characterized by negotiating curricular priorities with students, giving out learning contracts instead of exams and involving students when planning lessons. The Western style of teaching is believed to contribute to the communicative movement (or collaborative learning process) when it comes to learning a foreign language such as English.

[Key Words] Andragogy, English as Foreign Language, TEFL

Introduction

Nothing has amazed Westerners more than the fact that there has been growing interest in learning English well for the past few decades in China. The Chinese who have a good command of English quickly became the so-called “new middle class” comparable to that in the United States. These people hold positions in foreign enterprises located in China and in joint ventures. They receive a salary similar to their colleagues in the developed countries.. Naturally, these adult learners serve as role models for millions of Chinese young people,  . Parents encourage their children to enter middle class by emulating this group of people. Further, English has become one of the designated subjects that high school students must take an exam on in order to be admitted into a university or college in China. As China gradually becomes more open to the outside world, China has learned to do business with its capitalist brothers. Of course, English has become a tool in negotiating business with foreigners as most foreigners view the Chinese language as one of the most difficult languages in the world.

 

China has always been wary of the West because of old memories of foreign invasion such as the Opium Wars with Britain, the Japanese occupation and more recent memories of the bombing of its embassy in Belgrade by the United States. Despite these bitter memories, trade with foreigners, especially with capitalist brothers such as the United States has brought unprecedented profits to China. For example, China’s real Gross Domestic Product  has grown 9.7% a year for the past two decades (Vachhani, 2005). As a result of this high speed economic development, China has earned well over $ 800 billion in U.S. dollars. Economists predict that by the end of 2006, China will deposit well over $ 1,000 billion, surpassing the United States and Japan for the first time in history. On the other hand, the Chinese people have demonstrated a willingness to become part of the global community. According to statistics, China is ranked number one in the world in sending its scholars and researchers to Western universities. In recent years, China has had waves of immigrants to Western countries such Australia and Canada. The number of Chinese who travel around the world has been on the increase on a yearly basis. Although the Chinese government has tried to limit young people to accessing the Internet and Western media, this effort seems to be futile. All these factors contribute to the huge interest in learning English well in China. Towards this end, eight universities of foreign languages were established right after China was taken over by the communists in 1949. During those initial years, learning Russian was so popular throughout China. After China dissolved its political ties with Russia in the 1950’s, scholars and students quickly turned to English. In the 1980’s, learning English became mandatory in China’s schools and universities. Still today, there is no question that there is a high level of motivation to learn English well on the part of students. Teachers, of course take pride in teaching English and they rack their brains in inventing superior teaching methods in order to achieve effective results. Most recently, China’s Central TV (CCTV) sponsored a program called “Crazy English,” which was a great approach to learning English well in the least possible time.  It is questionable as to whether this method is helpful at all and how many Chinese have learned English well through this “
Crazy English”. Although teaching English is the job of the Chinese teachers trained in China, the country also encourages English speaking teachers to come to China to teach English. However, a high level of motivation in students does not equal effective learning. Instead, a high level of motivation plus correct instruction could result in more effective learning.

 

There have long been differences between Western approaches and Eastern approaches. Research indicates that Chinese TEFL tends to emphasize English language knowledge, content, teacher-centered classrooms and exam results while Western TEFL or ESL (English as Second Language) favors critical thinking skills, realistic use of language, student-centered classrooms and the process of learning (Cortazzi & Jin, 1996, p. 72). Specifically, Western educators do not prefer rote learning, memorization, and knowledge transmission, which is central to traditional Chinese pedagogy. Although these methods involve the internalization of pre-established, objective and empirical knowledge with already formulated procedures and skills (Jarvis, 1987), Westerners believe it is critical thinking (reflection) (Mezirow, 1991, 2000; Cranton, 1994; King, 2005) that implies the possibility of the creation of new knowledge and different techniques.

This dichotomy leads to the research question of this article: “How is English taught in China?” Other researchers may ask questions such as: “Is English teaching shaped by pedagogy (teacher-centered) or Western andragogy (student-centered)? Similar questions may arise: “Why not implement Western andragogy in teaching English as a foreign language in China since it has been proved to be effective with adult learners?” With these remarks in mind, it is clear that this is definitely an under researched area. While scholarly research may focus on other aspects of English teaching in China, this article intends to shed some much needed light on whether Western andragogy is being practiced by Chinese teachers of English to meet the demands of highly motivated Chinese students of English. The correct teaching methods may facilitate effective learning, otherwise, teaching methods may serve as an impediment to learning.                                             

 

Theoretical Framework

Westerners and Chinese differ in their teaching approaches: the former tends to believe in the distinction between the education of children and the education of adults; while the latter favors a uniform mode of teaching for both age groups. The education of children is defined as pedagogy in the West because it is considered the art and science of teaching children. In this mode of instruction, teachers are in control and make decisions regarding what to learn, how to learn and when to assess learning. Students assume a submissive role of simply following their teachers. The education of adults in the West is defined as andragogy because it is viewed as the art and science of helping adults learn (Knowles, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1986, 1998). Further, andragogy is characterized by student-centered learning because adult learners are believed to be self-directed. Because these adult learners are self-directed, teachers have to assume the role of being learning facilitators. A learning facilitator does not control learning. Instead, a learning facilitator may negotiate curricular priorities with his/her students at the beginning of a semester. A facilitator may give his/her students a learning contract. A facilitator is a co-learner in the learning process (Price, 1999). And so, a facilitator considers him/herself a peer with their students.

 

Indeed, adult education in the West is viewed as education of equals (Jarvis). Most importantly, Westerners believe learners have the potential to become self-motivated and self-directed; rational and empathic, to participate in collaborative discourse and to become capable of exercising individual agency and to act reflectively (Mezirow, 1991, 2000; King &Wright, 2003; Merriam, 2004). While Chinese teachers may agree with their Western counterparts on these teaching concepts such as andragogy, their teaching method is characterized by teaching the lower levels of Bloom’s (1956) taxonomy. For instance, Chinese teachers view themselves as knowledge transmitters. Those who are excellent transmitters of knowledge are considered great performers. Naturally these Chinese performers are to be emulated in China. To quote several sources in support of this teaching philosophy, Paine (1992) argues: “Teaching puts teachers in the role of masters and students in the role of disciples. Instruction is a unilateral process as professors expound on texts (Paine, 1992, p. 190). The role of the students is to expend great effort in memorization and analysis of a text chosen by their teachers. In fact, memorization of texts is more highly valued in China than in any other educational or cultural setting.” One may wonder what leads to these opposing teaching theories in the East and in the West. A closer review of the literature may reveal some astonishing facts.

Review of the Literature

Political Aspect

China’s leaders have realized that to achieve the four modernizations (industry, agriculture, military, and science and technology), China must learn from the West. Toward this end, English language learning has been mandated by the Chinese government at all levels. As a result of some 20 years’ economic reform and an open door policy, a fast-growing prosperous middle class has emerged, wanting access to the wider world, and therefore wanting to speak English (Boyle, 2000). Observers have pointed out that: “English teachers are in the limelight and are looked upon with envy.” Teachers who can teach English well become popular not only among students but also among school officials. Because these teachers are great performers, school officials will often recruit them to join the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and these teachers will teach according to the will of the government. The CCP has predetermined teaching goals for English teachers. They are to prepare students to be foreign experts for a wide variety of occupations.  These include qualified and high level personnel working as interpreters, researchers, teachers and administrators in the fields of foreign services, business, culture, journalism, publishing, education, scientific research and tourism (Dong, 1996, p. 4).

 

What makes no sense is that the CCP appoints people to positions in the Ministry of Education, who in most cases, do not have a degree in English or Education. Yet, it is these appointees who, not only prescribe a centralized curriculum for all schools and universities but also prescribe and scrutinize teachers’ teaching methods. For example, all 350,000 junior middle schools (ages 12-15) in China must use the same textbook, Junior English for China, compiled by the People’s Education Press in collaboration with Longman. Furthermore, China’s eight universities of foreign languages must adopt the same textbook, College English for College Students, developed by Beijing University of Foreign Languages. China’s some 2500 other universities must adopt the same textbook, College English for Students of Hard Sciences, developed by Beijing University. The content of these books must reflect the development of Modern China and the four modernizations. Chinese teachers who do not use these mandatory textbooks are penalized by the school officials. In what way?

 

Cultural Aspect

Although foreign businesses have flourished throughout China, the country is still based on a Confucius-Heritage. Confucianism as a philosophy still influences Chinese attitudes in a variety of ways. In teaching, Confucius placed a heavy emphasis on knowledge transmission and acquisition: “I transmit but I do not create; I have faith in, and a passion for, ancient studies; knowing through silent reflection, learning without satiety, and teaching others without becoming weary—these are merits which I can claim; why didn’t you tell him that I am a person who forgets to eat when he is in pursuit of knowledge, forgets all worries when he is in his enjoyment of it, and is not aware that old age is coming on?” (as cited in Chai & Chai, 1965, pp. 44-45).

 

Not only do Chinese teachers cite Confucius’ teaching philosophies, but they also practice and live according to these philosophies. Naturally, Chinese teachers of English strive to accumulate a reservoir of knowledge in order to impart it to their students. To teach is to give out what students expect their teachers to know.  If a teacher says that he/she does know the meaning of an English word, this teacher is embarrassed before students. If this happens repeatedly, this teacher may consider quitting his or her teaching career as this teacher has not met the high standards expected by the Confucius based society.

 

Preferred Teaching Approaches in Light of Western Andragogy

Chinese teachers of English are cautious of introducing the Western democratic form of education, andragogy. First of all, using the Western method this will put the teacher in an inferior position. Students are not supposed to interject or interrupt while a teacher is talking.  What the teacher is addressing in the classroom is very important as it will appear on nation-wide exams. For example, all English majors take the national TEM 4 (Test for English Majors) at the end of the first two years of their degree studies. This exam is comparable to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). And at the end of the four year degree, they take the TEM 8. For students of hard sciences, they are required to take TEM 4 and TEM 6 during their college years. Given the nature of national exams, Chinese students prefer the exam-oriented approach of their Chinese teachers (Boyle, 2000). Those who do not “teach to exams” (teach the content material of the exams) are considered disorganized teachers. The Western collaborative process of learning may be considered by Chinese teachers of English as being interruptive and chaotic as it does not foster silent reflection. Negotiating curricular priorities and using a learning contract with the student is characterized by andragogy and simply has no place in China.   This is because all teachers must adhere to a highly centralized curriculum. As to how to teach, school officials want Chinese teachers to be information transmitters. Learning facilitators are considered by Chinese teachers of English to be lazy and therefore, are frowned upon in China. Rote learning and memorization are still the preferred method of teaching and learning in many schools and universities in China. Periodically, Chinese students are required to memorize American or British short stories and recite them at competitions. While Westerners believe rote learning is mechanistic and without thought, Chinese teachers feel memorization is a strategy for deep rather than surface learning (Biggs, 1996).

 

Current Situation of Teachers of English  in China

While Lu’s (2005) study indicated that Chinese teachers in institutions of higher education have an extremely positive attitude toward their careers, the low income of teachers of English remains a double burden. Many teachers are highly educated and highly skilled individuals who put a great deal of time and effort into their teaching. Yet, they receive a much lower income than others with comparable education and skills. Studies show that almost 50 percent of Chinese teachers have a second job to supplement their income. In order to make ends meet, teachers of English end up becoming teaching machines. Take for example, the teachers from the eight universities of foreign languages, who have to teach between 40 and 60 hours per week.  This demanding schedule leaves them with little or no time for research. They are forced to become merely talking heads, repeating the same textbook material over and over again in different classrooms. Since all teachers use the same textbooks it is not surprising that students from different universities can recite the same American or British stories.  . Despite problems with earning an adequate income and sharing office spaces the teachers still love their careers. Their colleagues who teach subjects other than English do not even have a chance at a second job.

Methodology

Babbie defines the purpose of survey research as generalizing from a sample to a population so that inferences can be made about some characteristic, attitude, or behavior of this population (1990). Because of China’s vast number of teachers of English, it seems appropriate that survey research would result in the rapid turnaround in data collection (Creswell, 2003). More importantly, survey research design is economical. As more and more researchers use Internet technologies, administering online surveys have become popular (Nesbary, 2000). In the Spring Semester of 2006, the researcher constructed a fifty-question survey based on Conti’s (1983, 2004) survey instrument which was distributed to a random sample of 160 teachers of English at the eight universities of foreign languages in China. Participants included 148 volunteers who completed the questionnaires and returned them to the researcher. Statistical analysis was conducted, using SPSS 13.0 computer software.

 

Participants

Participants in this study are teachers of English who teach in the schools of English studies at the eight universities of foreign languages in China. These universities are located in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Xian, Nanjing, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Because these participants (lecturers, associate professors and professors) teach Intensive Reading (College English for English Majors), they put much more emphasis on learning grammar and vocabulary lists, and keeping an eye firmly fixed on the national exams (Boyle, 2000). While the “communicative movement” in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is popular in the West, Chinese teachers are reluctant to utilize this methodology.  They believe the collaborative method is simply too noisy and disruptive to classes in adjacent rooms. And they think this learning method involves too much class preparation time. It is true that these teachers are more accustomed to teaching the same materials over and over again. If teaching materials such as textbooks need to be updated, this responsibility normally rests with those who work for the Ministry of Education. Another factor that is worth pointing out is that Chinese teachers of English are very uncomfortable using the Western discussion method. This is simply because they are not well prepared to meet the challenges that may arise from this spontaneous learning process. Should a student ask a question regarding an English idiom, a Chinese teacher of English may not have the answer. Therefore, Western andragogical methods of teaching characterized by a student-centered approach to teaching and learning may easily leave Chinese teachers of English open to a loss of face, or humiliation. Since Chinese students are already used to a more structured kind of teaching, which is teacher-directed teaching, why not use it exclusively? It causes no problems to teachers. In China, teachers are tremendously respected. Teachers are expected not only to be intellectually but also morally unchallengeable, and to be in a sense shapers of their students’ characters. Losing face before their followers is likened to the failure and eventual termination of their career. One can imagine the incredible pain and pressure a Chinese teacher must go through. 

 

Instrumentation

Conti’s (1983, 2004) survey instrument is designed to promote the use of andragogy (student-centered teaching) in any teaching setting especially where teachers help pre-adults and adults learn. Because Westerners recognize a distinction between education of children and education of adults, it is all the more important that teachers use the correct method of teaching. This instrument is also designed to determine the general instructional modes of teachers. The modes of teaching can be andragogical or pedagogical depending on one’s particular social contexts, teaching philosophies, culture, and administrative preferences.  Many experts believe that teachers of English should comply with the communicative movement or collaborative learning process to achieve the best learning outcomes. The andragogical mode of instruction corroborates this communicative movement or collaborative learning process. Therefore, it is appropriate to use this survey instrument. To make the instrument fit the particular Chinese teaching settings, one item in the instrument was changed and six more items were added to include a more andragogical/pedagogical nature of teaching characterized by learning contracts, rote learning, memorization and heavy emphasis on knowledge transmission.

 

The survey utilizes a Likert scale from five to zero with five being the highest (support for the concept in the factor name) and zero the lowest (support for the opposite concept). The alpha reliability coefficient for the instrument was .94. (N of cases = 148, N of items = 50). 

 

The survey instrument is comprised of seven factors: Learner-Centered Activities; Personalizing Instruction; Relating Experience; Assessing Student Needs; Climate Building; Participation in the Learning Process; and Flexibility for Personal Development.  The seven factors comprise the basic elements that make up an instructor’s general teaching mode of instruction. High mean scores for factors represent support for the concept implied in the factor name. Low mean scores indicate support for the opposite concept. If a score nears the mean score (2.5), it may indicate support for the concept implied in the factor name; it may also indicate support for the opposite concept.

 

Data Analysis

Data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS (13.0 for Windows) software. Since the survey instrument (PALS) contains both positive and negative items, different values are assigned to these items. For positive items, the following values are assigned: “Always” equals five, “almost always” equals four, “often” equals three, “seldom” equals two, “almost never” equals one and “never” equals zero. For negative items, the following values are assigned: "always" equals zero, "almost always" equals one, "often" equals two, "seldom" equals three, "almost never" equals four and "never" equals five. Omitted items are assigned a neutral value of 2.5. Analysis was conducted for each item in the research question. For descriptive statistics, mean scores and standard deviations were reported for participants’ responses. To provide a better picture of the population surveyed, the overall scale mean scores and standard deviations were also calculated. The findings were entered into tables and figures, and a narrative was developed to report the findings.

 

Findings

The tables presented below summarize the analysis of survey results on each of the seven factors of Conti’s (1983, 2004) instrument. The mean responses for these participants on each of the seven factors are presented in separate tables. Each of the seven factors contains several items that make up the instructor’s learner-centered or teacher-dominated teaching methods. The standard deviation scores for these participants are also provided in the tables. For a better picture of the population surveyed, the overall scale mean scores and standard deviations were also included. Table 1 summarizes the participants’ responses for Factor One.


Table 1.  Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 1

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 1: Learner-Centered Activities Responses

M

SD

2.    I use appropriate forms of disciplinary action

       when it is needed.  

2.34

1.37

4.    I emphasize teaching knowledge in class.

3.10

1.32

11.  I identify the educational objectives of each of my

       students.

2.60

1.13

12.  I plan units that differ as widely as possible from

       my students’ socio-economic backgrounds.

2.40

1.08

13.  I try to motivate students by confronting them

       during group discussions with their classmates.

1.80

0.90

16.  I use one basic teaching method because I have

       found that most adults have similar learning styles.

2.60

1.16

19.  I use written tests to assess the degree of academic

       growth rather than to indicate new directions for

       learning.         

2.50

0.87

21.  I use what history has proven that adults need to

       learn as my chief criteria for planning learning

       episodes. 

2.20

1.15

29.  I use methods that foster quiet, productive

       deskwork.

2.10

1.10

30.  I use tests as my chief method of evaluating

       students.

1.80

1.10

38.  I use materials that were originally designed for

       students in elementary and secondary schools.

3.20

1.16

40.  I measure a student’s long-term educational growth

       by comparing his/her total achievement in class to

       his/her expected performance as measured by 

       national norms from standardized tests.

2.80

1.35

50.  I believe memorization can foster greater autonomy

       in thinking.

3.56

1.30

 

Table 1 shows that Chinese teachers of English had low scores in seven of the thirteen variables, slightly high scores in three of the variables and three high scores that make up Factor 1. These results suggest that Chinese teachers of English support a teacher-centered methodology, rather than student centered teaching. They favor formal testing over informal evaluation techniques and rely heavily on standardized tests. They emphasize teaching knowledge in class. They exercise disciplinary action when needed, and determine the educational objectives for each student. They tend to practice one basic method of learning. Above all, they believe memorization can foster greater autonomy in thinking. Table 2 contains the participants’ responses for Factor 2.

      Table 2. Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 2

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 2: Personalizing Instruction Responses

M

SD

3.    I allow senior students more time to complete

       assignments when they need it.    

2.60

1.16

9.    I use lecturing as the best method of presenting

       my subject material to adult students.   

1.70

0.47

17.  I use different teaching techniques depending on

       the students being taught.      

3.30

0.94

24.  I let each student work at his/her own pace

       regardless of the amount of time it takes him her/

       to learn a new concept. 

2.30

1.18

32.  I gear my instructional objectives to match the

       individual abilities and needs of the students.

3.00

0.94

35.  I allow a student’s motives for participating in

       continuing education to be a major determinant

       in the planning of learning objectives.

3.20

0.74

37.  I give all students in my class the same assignment

       on a given topic.            

1.60

0.95

41.  I encourage competition among my students.

1.90

1.13

42.  I use different materials with different students.

2.80

0.84

49.  I encourage a search for real-life examples, develop

       assignments related to  real-life situations and

       embed the content of my course in everyday life.

2.47

0.77

 

Table 2 indicates that Chinese teachers of English had low scores in five of the ten variables and high scores in five of the ten variables that comprise Factor 2. These results indicate that Chinese teachers of English engage in a variety of practices that personalize learning to meet the unique needs of each student. Objectives are based on individual methods and abilities. Instruction is self-paced. However, they tend to favor the lecture method, and assign the same assignment on a given topic. They do not encourage a search for real-life examples, develop assignments related to real-life situations and embed the content of the course in everyday life.  Table 3 describes the participants’ responses for Factor 3.

 

Table 3. Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 3

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 3: Relating to Experience Responses

M

SD

14.  I plan learning episodes to take into account

       my students’ prior experience.

3.40

0.63

31.  I plan activities that will encourage each

       student’s growth from dependence on others

       to greater independence.    

3.10

0.74

34.  I encourage my students to ask questions

       about the nature of their society.

2.80

1.35

39.  I organize adult learning episodes according

       to the problems that my students encounter

       in everyday life.    

3.30

0.95

43.  I help students relate new learning to their

       prior experiences.

4.10

0.89

44.  I teach units about problems of everyday living.   

3.20

0.82

 

Table 3 indicates that Chinese teachers of English had very high scores in all six of the variables in Factor 3. These results show that Chinese teachers of English planned learning activities that take into account their students’ prior experiences and encouraged students to relate their new learning to prior experiences. To make learning relevant, learning episodes were organized according to the problems that the students encounter in everyday living. Students were encouraged to ask basic questions about the nature of their society.  Table 4 describes participants’ responses for Factor 4.

Table 4. Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 4

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 4: Assessing Student Needs Responses

M

SD

5.   I help students diagnose the gaps between their

      goals and their present level of performance.

2.80

1.19

8.    I counsel students informally.

3.10

0.82

23.  I have individual conferences to help students

       identify their educational needs. 

3.00

1.15

25.  I help my students develop short-range as well

       as long-range objectives.    

3.30

0.81

 

Table 4 indicates that Chinese teachers of English had high scores in Factor 4, Assessing Student Needs. These results show that Chinese teachers of English treated students as adults and attempted to find what each student wants and needs to know. They relied on individual meetings and informal counseling. They diagnosed existing gaps between a student’s goals and the present levels of performance. They assisted students in developing short-range as well as long-range objectives. Table 5 describes the participants’ responses for Factor 5.

 

                    Table 5. Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 5

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 5: Climate Building Responses

M

SD

18.  I encourage dialogue among my students.

3.70

0.78

20.  I utilize the many competencies that most

adults already possess to achieve educational

objectives.

3.20

0.77

22.  I accept errors as a natural part of the learning process.

4.10

0.82

28.  I allow my students to take periodic breaks during class.

4.10

0.95

48.  I design activities that build students’ self-esteem

and sense of accomplishment while delivering course content.

3.40

1.23

 

Table 5 shows that Chinese teachers of English had high scores in the five variables. The results suggest that Chinese teachers established a friendly and informal climate as the first step in their andragogical model. Dialogue and interaction with other students was encouraged. Barriers were eliminated by using the numerous competencies that learners already possess as building blocks for educational objectives. Risk taking was encouraged, and errors were accepted as a natural part of the learning process. Learners could experiment and explore elements related to their self-concept and practice interpersonal skills. Failures served as a feedback device to direct future positive learning. Table 6 contains the participants’ responses for Factor 6.

Table 6. Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 6

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 6: Participation in the Learning Process

M

SD

1.   I allow students to participate in developing the criteria

      for evaluating their performance in class.

1.90

1.27

10.  I arrange the classroom so that it is easy for students to

       interact.

3.40

0.97

15.  I allow students to participate in making decisions

       about the topics that will be covered in class.

2.00

1.05

36.  I have my students identify problems that they wish to

       solve.

3.20

1.03

45.  I negotiate curricular priorities with my adult students

       at the beginning of each course I teach.

2.13

1.09

46.  I use learning contracts when assessing adult students’

       learning.

1.09

1.10

47.  I involve adult students when planning lessons.

1.14

1.11

 

Table 6 indicates that Chinese teachers of English had four low scores and three high scores in the seven variables that make up Factor 6. These results suggest that Chinese teachers of English had students identify the problems they wished to solve. An adult-to-adult relationship between teacher and students was encouraged. However, they did not involve the students in developing the criteria for evaluating classroom performance. They did not negotiate curricular priorities with students or use learning contracts when assessing students’ learning. They never involve students when planning lessons. They do not allow students to participate in making decisions about the topics that will be covered in class. Table 7 describes participants’ responses for Factor 7.

 

Table 7. Mean Responses: Chinese Teachers of English on Factor 7

N = 160, n = 148

Factor 7: Flexibility for Personal Development Responses

M

SD

6.    I provide knowledge rather than serve as a resource

       person.    

1.80

0.78

7.    I stick to the instructional objectives that I write at the

       beginning of a program. 

1.50

0.97

26.  I maintain a well-disciplined classroom to reduce

       interference to learning. 

1.30

0.42

27.  I avoid discussion of controversial subjects that involve

       value judgments.

2.60

1.62

33.  I avoid issues that relate to the student’s concept of

       himself/herself.

2.00

1.41

 

Table 7 shows that Chinese teachers of English had low scores in all five variables that comprise Factor 7. The results show that Chinese teachers of English viewed themselves as providers of knowledge rather than facilitators. They determined the objectives for the students at the beginning of the program and adhered to them regardless of the idiosyncrasies that may have arisen from divergent student needs. A well-disciplined classroom was viewed as a stimulus for learning. Table 8 describes the overall scale, mean scores and standard deviations of the Chinese teachers’ responses.

Table 8. Mean Responses: All 148 Chinese Teachers of English on the Seven Factors

N = 160, n = 148

All Factors

M

SD

1.   Learner-Centered Activities.     

2.54

1.09

2.   Personalizing Instruction    

2.49

0.91

3.   Relating to Experience

3.12

0.90

4.   Assessing Student Needs

3.05

0.99

5.   Climate Building

3.70

0.91

6.   Participation in the Learning Process

2.12

1.09

7.   Flexibility for Personal Development

1.84

1.04

 

Table 8 indicates that Chinese teachers of English had low scores in Factor 1, Factor 2, Factor 6 and Factor 7. They had high scores in other factors. These results show that although they taught English courses to some extent in an andragogical manner such as relating to experience, assessing student needs, and building climate, their classroom techniques did not focus upon the learner or include learner-centered activities. Their score in Factor 7 indicates that these participants opposed the collaborative mode of instruction. They viewed themselves as providers of knowledge rather than facilitators. They never used Western educational approaches such as negotiating curricular priorities with students, or using learning contracts. They valued memorization as a great teaching technique.  Above all, these Chinese teachers welcomed this rigidity and lack of sensitivity to the individual. This indicates that learners in China expect their teachers to “teach the content material of the exams”.

 

Discussion

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Western teaching theory of andragogy designed to help adult learners learn effectively, is being practiced in the Chinese context since Chinese students have been eager to learn English well to become part of the global community. The teaching methodology of andragogy honors adult learners so that their energy can be enormously released in order to become self-directed in learning of any kind. There is no alternative to learning English as a foreign language (EFL) than to continue with what is currently used in China. The findings of the study indicated that Chinese teachers of English favored formal testing, valued teaching knowledge and believed in memorization as a great teaching technique. However, the findings also revealed there were some andragogical elements to their instruction such as personalizing instruction, relating to experience and assessing student needs. But basically, Chinese teachers of English did not support Western teaching methodologies characterized by negotiating curricular priorities with students, using learning contracts and involving students when planning lessons. Above all, Chinese teachers of English viewed themselves as knowledge providers rather than resource persons. Their teaching was teacher-centered, not student-centered. They taught according to the tests and placed tremendous emphasis on memorization.

 

The findings confirmed the theoretical framework of this study in that Chinese teachers teach the lower levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. According to Bloom and his associates (1956), this taxonomy is comprised of six levels, from lower levels to higher levels: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The first three levels are considered lower levels and the other three levels are seen as higher levels of this taxonomy. All Western teachers, whether they are teachers of children or teachers of adults are encouraged to emphasize the higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. It is true that if students can analyze, synthesize and evaluate freely what they have learned, they have a good command of the lower levels of this taxonomy. Further, the higher levels of this taxonomy are believed to lead to greater autonomy in thinking. In other words, critical thinking skills are far more important than just mastery of knowledge. Knowledge without being properly analyzed, synthesized or evaluated is considered useless information. That is why Western teachers frown upon those who teach the lower levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. There are numerous examples to show that rote learning characterized by memorization can be detrimental to students in the long run. For example, many Chinese students (adult learners) who have scored significantly higher in Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and in Graduate Record Exams (GRE) and who have been matriculated to universities in the West with scholarships cannot communicate well with their professors. To make matters worse, their English writing contains many problems; professors do not understand what they have written. More than likely, Chinese students have mastered more English words than their Western counterparts. The truth is, simple mastery of knowledge does not equal free use of the English language. It is the critical thinking and problem solving skills that need to be emphasized in teaching of any kind.

 

It is beyond this research to answer why Chinese teachers of English do not buy into Western concepts in teaching. However, this study reminds researchers of the findings by Biggs (1996, p. 75) in which he argued vehemently for Chinese teachers:

There is an important distinction between ‘rote learning’ – mechanistic and without thought – and learning which uses repetition as a strategy to ensure accurate recall. If learning aims at understanding, and repetition is a means to this, it can be a strategy for deep rather than surface learning. It is a mistake to assume that all use of repetition in learning is a ‘surface’ approach: the key is in the context of the technique, rather than the specific technique itself.

 

Although some scholars such as Biggs support Chinese concepts on teaching, no further research or statistics have indicated any positive correlation between critical thinking, problem solving skills and the lower levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. If learning aims at growth and development (Merriam, 2004), then “participating freely and fully in critical-dialectical discourse” leads to highly developed metacognitive skills of critical self-reflection (p. 63). Another scholarly source supports the notion that Chinese teaching methods have been accused of promoting narrow, dependent, docile students “high in score, but low in ability” (Ross, 1992, p. 245).

 

Implications for Research and Practice

Behind these findings lie more significant implications for research and practice. At this historic point in China, to implement Western andragogy is still a dream yet to be realized. The praxis of teaching in China cannot be understood alone. It is intrinsically linked to the nature of Chinese culture, politics, and society. Confucius, one of the greatest philosophers has inspired generations of Chinese teachers to be knowledge transmitters, influenced Chinese teachers to teach skills first via repetitive learning. Repetition provides a basis for creative learning. This concept runs contrary to the popular Western belief that exploration should precede the development of skills. This is probably why Western educators emphasize participation in learning. Various learning-related activities should be sequenced. Further research is needed to find out why Chinese teachers resist this democratic approach to teaching. If Chinese believe in collectivism, then the Western method of teaching can release the energy of students. One great performer in a class does not make everyone a good performer.

 

If China’s leaders wish to capitalize on the high level of motivation of Chinese students to learn English well, they should realize that exams are not the only way. Good test takers do not prove to be great performers. They are not synonymous. A learning contract does not undermine the political power of a teacher or an administrator. Rather, it shows that a learner can be trusted. To trust a learner is to honor a learner. Once a learner is honored, he/she may have unlimited potential for learning. More research is needed to find out whether a learning contract in teaching can replace Chinese exams.

 

Finally, Chinese teachers of English should be given more time to do research. If they are made to become teaching machines, they will have no time left to look for alternative teaching methodologies. If every teaching method is prescribed from above, their initiative to be innovative in their teaching methods is taken away from them.

 

This article brings together two prominent teaching methodologies to give our researchers, scholars and students an idea as to which praxis leads to effective learning. Quantitative analysis alone does not answer many of the questions implied by this research. Qualitative research coupled with interviews and in-depth observations may well answer some of the questions derived from this study. English teaching is quite an undertaking in China. The Chinese people would be greatly indebted should alternative teaching methodologies contribute to a more effective learning outcome in Chinese learners, especially adult learners.

 

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