LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 11 : 10 October 2011
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.

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Learner Beliefs: How My Beliefs Have Metamorphosed and Influenced My Teaching

Nasrin Pervin, M.A.

Abstract

The paper begins with a definition of “learner beliefs” – an unknown pedagogical term in Bangladeshi language teaching classrooms and then explains how the Eurocentric/Western concept of learner autonomy influences foreign trained teachers’ teaching strategies. It then tries to justify that beliefs are at the core of any learning process. Reviewing expert opinions it tries to prove if teacher/student beliefs fail to converge frustration and dissatisfaction can result and the learners can show clear reluctance in learning a language. The paper also briefly discusses certain cross-cultural issues and visa-a-vi explores how foreign language learning can be challenging. Finally the writer explains how her own traditional beliefs about teacher’s roles and responsibilities too have been metamorphosed after receiving higher education in a European university.

Key Words: Pedagogical, Learner autonomy, Cross-cultural, Traditional belief, Teachers’ roles

Defining Learner Belief

Looking at it from a general point of view belief denotes the feeling of certainty in a human being that something is true. Belief involves stories, or myths, whose interpretation can give people insight into how they should feel, think, and/or behave. Beliefs are a central construct in every discipline that deals with human behavior and learning (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; cited Bernat and Gvozdenko, 2005). Various researchers are concerned with the importance of learners’ beliefs. It is said that beliefs deal with human behaviour and learning in every field of education. Cotterall (1995) has said all human behaviour is governed by beliefs and experience.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Nasrin Pervin, M.A. in ELT
Lecturer
Department of English
North South University
Plot 15, Block B. Bashundhara
Dhaka 1229
Bangladesh
n.pervin@northsouth.edu
nas_r@hotmail.co.uk
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