Integrating Communicative Language Teaching Activities in Overcrowded Classrooms: Policy and Practice Issues in South Sudan Secondary Schools

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Interface between English Language Education Policies and Practice
  • 141 Accesses

Abstract

In many ELT context, language education policy makers are quick to recommend the use of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach for teaching English language in schools in order to develop learners’ competencies. However, policies are usually met by contextual factors that support or do not support the implementation of the approach prescribed by the policy. This chapter reports on the experiences of English language teachers in secondary schools in South Sudan. Six secondary English language teachers were interviewed in an effort to investigate the challenges faced, the strategies used to remedy these challenges, and how teachers understood the success of their strategies. Results showed that crowded classrooms negatively affected teaching and learning. However, teachers implemented strategies such as group work, debates, and student sampling to ensure all learners might have opportunities to participate in class activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
EUR 29.95
Price includes VAT (France)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
EUR 117.69
Price includes VAT (France)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
EUR 147.69
Price includes VAT (France)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
EUR 147.69
Price includes VAT (France)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, J. (2016). Teaching English in Africa: A guide to the practice of English language teaching for teachers and trainee teachers. East African Educational Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, J. D. (2017). Journey into Social Activism: Qualitative Approaches. Fordham University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahanshal, D. A. (2013). The effect of large classes on English teaching and learning in Saudi secondary schools. English Language Teaching, 6(11), 49–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blatchford, P., Russell, A., & Brown, P. (2009). Teaching in large and small classes. In L. J. Saha & A. G. Dworkin (Eds.), International handbook of research on teachers and teaching (pp. 779–790). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury, M. R. (2003). International TESOL training and EFL context: The cultural disillusionment factor. Australian Journal of Education, 47(3), 283–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, H. (2018). An almost invisible “Difficult Circumstance”: The large class. In K. Kuchah & F. Shamim (Eds.), International perspectives on teaching English in difficult circumstances, international perspectives on English language teaching. Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, C. (1999). Develo** teachers: The challenges of lifelong learning. RoutledgeFalmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, V. (2018). Thinking about the coding process in qualitative data analysis. The Qualitative Report, 23(11), 2850–2861.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erlingsson, C., & Brysiewicz, P. (2017). A hands-on guide to doing content analysis. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 7(3), 93–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorsuch, G. J. (2000). EFL educational policies and educational cultures: Influences on teachers’ approval of communicative activities. TESOL Quarterly, 34(4).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmer, J. (1987). The Practice of English Language Teaching. London and New York: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, D. (1997). Hel** teachers to cope with large classes. ELT Journal, 51(2), 106–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess, N. (2001). Teaching Large Multilevel Classes. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim, M. K., & Ibrahim, Y. A. (2017). Communicative English language teaching in Egypt: Classroom practice and challenges. Issues in Educational Research, 27(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuchah, K. (2016). ELT in difficult circumstances: Challenges, possibilities and future directions. In T. Pattison (Ed.), IATEFL 2015 Manchester Conference Selections (pp. 149–160). IATEFL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuchah, K. H. (2018). Teaching English in Difficult Circumstances: Setting the Scene. In Kuchah, K.H & Shamim, F (Eds.), International Perspectives on Teaching English in Difficult Circumstances: Contexts, Challenges and possibilities (pp.1–25). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53104-9

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuchah, K., & Shamim, F. (2018). International perspectives on teaching English in difficult circumstances, international perspectives on English language teaching. Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuchah, K., & Smith, R. (2011). Pedagogy of autonomy for difficult circumstances: From practice to principles. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 5(2), 119–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C. (2004). Language output, communication strategies and communicative tasks. University Press of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lier, L. V. (1984). Analysing interaction in second language classrooms. ELT Journal, 38(3), 160–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LoCastro, V. (1989) Large size classes: The situation in Japan. Lancaster-Leeds Language Learning in Large Classes Research Project Report No. 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • LoCastro, V. (2001). Teaching English to large classes: Large classes and student learning. TESOL Quarterly, 35(3).

    Google Scholar 

  • Longfield, D., & Tooley, J. (2013). A survey of Schools in Juba. Newcastle University: EG West Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackey, A. et al. (2005). Second language research: Methodology and Design. Tylor and Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, D., Gelsdorf, K., & Santschi, M. (2012). Livelihoods, basic services and social protection in South Sudan. Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium. Retrieved from https://fic.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/SS_EvidencePaper_final-published_July2012.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Moghal, S., Kazi, A. S., & Bukhari, A. (2019). Large classes and English language teaching and learning in public sector secondary schools of Pakistan. Indonesian TESOL Journal, 1(1), 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ochoma, M. U. (2015). Classroom processes, student learning and development. International Journal of Scientific Research in Education, 8(1), 27–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, J., & Taylor, L. (2011). Improving student engagement. Current Issues in Education, 14(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramanathan, V. (1999). “English Is Here to Stay”: A critical look at institutional and educational practices in India. TESOL Quarterly, 33(2), 211–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J. C. (2006). Communicative language teaching today. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saldana, J. (2013). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. (Second edition): SAGE publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shamim, F., Negash, N., Chuku, C., & Demewoz, N. (2007). Maximizing learning in large classes: Issues and options. British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shamim, F., & Coleman, H. (2018). Large‐sized classes. The TESOL Encyclopedia of English language teaching, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherr, K., Mussa, A., Chilundo, B., Gimbel, S., Pfeiffer, J., Hagopian, A., & Gloyd, S. (2012, April 27). Brain drain and health workforce distortions in Mozambique. PLOS ONE. Retrieved from: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0035840#s3

  • Smith, R., Padwad, A., & Bullock, D. (2017). Teaching in low-resource classrooms: Voices of experience. British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • South Sudan NGO Forum. (2018). 3W data visualization for international NGOs at county level. Retrieved from https://southsudanngoforum.org

  • South Sudan’s New National Curriculum. (2015). Retrieved from: http://ssmogei.org/curriculum/

  • Tchombe, T. M. S. (2013). Promoting the learning process in English language teaching: Pedagogic challenges. Retrieved from: https://camelta-cameroon.weebly.com/camelta-2013-conference.html

  • Todd, R. W. (2006). Why investigate large classes? Reflection Journal. Retrieved from http://arts.kmutt.ac.th/sola/rEFL/Vol9_Reflections_Large_Classes.pdf

  • Trang, N. M. (2015). Large classes: Universal teaching and management strategies. LangLit, 2(1). Retrieved from: www.langlit.org

  • UNICEF. (2015). South Sudan: First-ever comprehensive national curriculum launched. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/

  • West, M. (1960). Teaching English in difficult circumstances. Longmans, Green.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Morjakole, A.D.D. (2023). Integrating Communicative Language Teaching Activities in Overcrowded Classrooms: Policy and Practice Issues in South Sudan Secondary Schools. In: Ekembe, E.E., Harvey, L., Dwyer, E. (eds) Interface between English Language Education Policies and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14310-6_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14310-6_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-14309-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-14310-6

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Navigation