ICT Transformation in Education: Its Impact on Language Teachers' Professional Identities

Rapid and continuous changes in digital technologies have changed both classroom practices and teacher profiles in education. It can be argued that a new context of teaching may lead some teachers to develop a different teacher identity in order to meet the needs of the era. Within this perspective, this case study attempts to explore the impacts of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) revolution in education on teachers' professional identity through the lens of three English instructors from three different contexts in Turkey. The study particularly focuses on reflections of teachers during the pandemic. As a theoretical framework, the study adopts Wenger's (1997) social theory of learning and, within this framework, it discusses these teachers' professional identities in relation to their ICT usage. In particular, three modes of belonging, Engagement, Imagination and Alignment, are underlined. A qualitative approach is employed based on the written history documents of the participants and semi-structured interviews as data collection tools. The findings are gathered with a deductive thematic analysis, and they illustrate that teachers have some external and internal difficulties regarding their ICT usage, and they form a new shape of professional identity mainly through collaboration, community expertise and contributing new ideas in their school contexts. Although the use of new digital technologies mostly enables them to adopt a positive and modern teacher identity in their teaching contexts, it also leads some of them to sometimes question their teacher identity due to their limited ICT knowledge and competence. Thus, the study suggests some implications both for language teachers to invest in their digital identities, and for school administrations to create a friendly atmosphere where the community of expertise can be shared freely among teachers.

Learning with Mobile Augmented Reality- and Automatic Speech Recognition-Based Materials for English Listening and Speaking Skills: Effectiveness and Perceptions of Non-English Major English as a Foreign Language Students

Due to the outbreak of COVID 19, an online bilingual curriculum was conducted via "Google Meet." The learning material was developed and implemented by using a smartphone application, STEMUP, based on augmented reality (AR) and automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies. This study investigated the oral performance and perceptions of learning with STEMUP of ninety non-English major students from several colleges at a technical university in Taiwan. Data were collected from pre- and post-tests and a questionnaire survey. Results indicated that students significantly improved their oral performance and recorded their positive perceptions. Students' oral performance significantly depended on their English proficiency. Their perceptions were not significant related to their English proficiency, gender, or college. Instant feedback and evaluation provided by ASR technology and online "Google" text-to-speech service both embedded in STEMUP helped students notice, modify and improve their listening and speaking skills. They were satisfied with the bilingual curriculum, which helped them increase understanding about content knowledge by the teacher's explanation in Chinese, and improve English listening and speaking skills by learning with STEMUP. This study is a good start in creating an interactive and communicative learning environment where translanguaging is effectively integrated with innovative technologies.

Differences in the Intensity and the Nature of Foreign Language Anxiety in In-Person and Online EFL Classes during the Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study

This paper explores differences in 437 learners' "foreign language classroom anxiety" (FLCA) in in-person and online English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes before the outbreak of the pandemic and during the first lockdown in spring 2020. Statistical analyses of data gathered with a web survey revealed a slight, yet significant drop in learners' overall FLCA in "emergency remote teaching." In order to obtain a more granular view, item-level analyses revealed that learners in online classes were significantly less worried about being outperformed by peers, suffered less from physical symptoms of anxiety when called on in class, and were less anxious when they were in fact well-prepared. Feeling embarrassed to volunteer answers was significantly higher in online classes. Interviews with 21 participants revealed that the interviewees mentioned anxiety-provoking aspects of the class considerably more frequently online than in in-person classes. However, the sources of anxiety in online classes differed from the ones in classes taught on-site. Thus, it seems that the newness of the setting foregrounded anxiety-provoking aspects specific to emergency remote teaching, making others fade into the background at the beginning of the pandemic.

Examining Attitudes and Online Distractors in Turkish EMI Context during Emergency Remote Teaching

This study aimed to examine the attitudes of students enrolled in an English preparatory program of a Turkish state university towards the use of emergency remote teaching as a mode of distance education in the 2019-2020 COVID-19 outbreak and to reveal online distractors students experienced throughout this process. A total of 270 EFL students participated in the study;93 of these participants were female, and 177 were male. The study employed an explanatory sequential design, in which firstly quantitative data were collected using a scale ([alpha] = 0.871), and then qualitative data were gathered through open-ended questions followed by semi-structured ones. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software while the qualitative data were analyzed through a thematic analysis conducted by the researcher and two other experts ([kappa] = 0.70). The results showed that the students held partially positive attitudes towards the use of emergency remote teaching as a mode of distance education. There were significant differences between the students' overall attitudes and their gender, digital literacy, technological accessibility, and perceived language success. The relationship between the online distractors students experienced during Emergency Remote Teaching and their attitudes was also discussed. The conclusions were made in the light of the findings, and implications and suggestions for further research were stated.

English Language Teacher Candidates' Pedagogical Beliefs during COVID-19 Pandemic

The pandemic has been affecting every side of our lives in a negative way unfortunately. Teacher training has also been affected from the pandemic and student teachers have been taken their courses through digital environments. Unlike traditional courses they have to study the entire courses online. As it is known that teachers' beliefs have a profound impact on their classroom practices, decisions on their teaching strategies, their styles and even how they implement curriculum. For this reason, the current study aims to investigate whether COVID-19 pandemic has an effect on student teachers' beliefs positively or negatively. The research was carried out in 2020 spring term of academic year when the pandemic first started. The research was designed as a qualitative study and to collect data a case and an interview administered to participants. Totally, 74 student teachers participated in the study that participants were third and fourth graders of ELT department at a state university, Turkey. The results indicate that participants have negative perspectives towards taking all courses through digital environments and tools. However, their beliefs have not been affected negatively from COVID-19 pandemic.

Innovative Digital Practices and Globalization in Higher Education. Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development (AHEPD) Book Series

We are moving toward a future in which digital practices are becoming more ubiquitous. Also, there is evidence to suggest that innovative digital practices are changing the face of 21st-century learning environments. Critical to 21st-century teaching and learning success is continued emphasis on learner preferences, shaped by innovative digital technology-driven learning environments alongside teacher awareness, knowledge, and preparedness to deliver high-impact instruction using active learning pedagogies. Thus, the purposeful and selective use of digital learning tools in higher education and the incorporation of appropriate active learning pedagogies are pivotal to enhancing and supporting meaningful student learning. "Innovative Digital Practices and Globalization in Higher Education" explores innovative digital practices to enhance academic performance for digital learners and prepare qualified graduates who are competent to work in an increasingly global digital workplace. Global competence has become an essential part of higher education and professional development. As such, it is the responsibility of higher education institutions to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to compete in the digital and global market. Covering topics such as design thinking, international students, and digital teaching innovation, this premier reference source is an essential resource for pre-service and in-service teachers, educational technologists, instructional designers, faculty, administrators, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Handbook of Research on Language Teacher Identity. Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development (AHEPD) Book Series

In today's educational world, it is crucial for language teachers to continuously evolve in order to best serve language learners. Further study on the best practices and challenges in the language classroom is crucial to ensure instructors continue to grow as educators. The "Handbook of Research on Language Teacher Identity" addresses new developments in the field of language education affected by evolving learning environments and the shift from traditional teaching and assessment practices to the digital-age teaching, learning, and assessment. Ideal for industry professionals, administrators, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students, this book aims to raise awareness regarding reflective practice and continuous professional development of educators, collaborative teaching and learning, innovative ways to foster critical (digital) literacy, student-centered instruction and assessment, development of authentic teaching materials and engaging classroom activities, teaching and assessment tools and strategies, cultivation of digital citizenship, and inclusive learning environments.

Preparing Pre-Service English Language Teachers to Teach at Unprecedented Times: The Case of Turkey

COVID-19 has impacted education negatively to a certain extent by suspending schools and universities, ending face-to-face and practical education, and causing a rapid transition to distance education. These changes have led to several negative effects on teachers and students such as anxiety, stress, and depression, which demonstrates the importance of teacher preparedness to teach at unprecedented times such as COVID19. Therefore, assessing and evaluating teacher preparedness has become significant. One way to do this is to evaluate teacher education programs with a new perspective developed considering the effects of COVID-19 on education. Therefore, the present study aimed to find out how teacher education programs can prepare teachers to teach at unprecedented times by focusing on the English language teacher education program (ELTEP) of Turkey. It was designed as a qualitative study in which the ELTEP of Turkey was used as the data collection tool. The collected data were content analyzed. The findings have shown that the ELTEP of Turkey can prepare pre-service English language teachers to teach at unprecedented times through three psychological courses, five technology courses, and 21 pedagogical courses. The findings were discussed, and suggestions for further studies were made.

The Effect of Authentic Materials on Writing Performance across Different Levels of Proficiency

The use of authentic materials for language teaching is common. Yet, there is not much information about what type of instructional materials benefits learners. The purpose of the study is to find empirical evidence of whether non-fiction authentic materials are more superior that fiction authentic material. The researchers used an experimental design to answer the research question. The population of the study was all students who took an essay writing course at University PGRI Wiranegara in the academic year 2019-2020. The sample was taken by using a systematic random sampling method which results in two equal numbers of students in two experimental groups. Group A was taught with non-fiction authentic material, while group B was taught with the fiction authentic material. The researchers used ANOVA to analyze the data in SPSS 22. The process of teaching and learning followed the writing as a process approach and was done in a blended-learning setting because of the pandemic of COVID 19. The result shows that there is no significant interaction between content type and proficiency level (F(2,30) = 1.347, p = 0.275). The main effect of content type on writing performance was not significant (F(1,30)=0.001, p 0.973), but the main effect of proficiency level on writing performance is significant such that the students who have a higher level of writing proficiency have better performance than the students who have a lower level of writing proficiency (F (2,30) = 5.653, p 0.008). The researchers conclude that both types of authentic materials are equally effective to improve the students' essay writing performance.

Exploration and Exploitation of Mobile Apps for English Language Teaching: A Critical Review

With the progression of various mobile technologies, mobile applications have tremendously increased, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and such applications have been exploited much in teaching and learning. This study explores the educational potential of using mobile applications in English language teaching (ELT) or Mobile Assisted Language Teaching (MALT). A critical review of the research in mobile applications in English language teaching is explored in this study, specifically from the published papers since 2015. Initially 131 articles were selected from ScienceDirect, SAGE, IEEEXplore, and Google Scholar. However, only 13 articles matched the inclusion criteria. These articles were analyzed and reviewed using the following categories: the role of mobile technology, pedagogical practices, research methodologies, the context of usage, and outcomes. The research found that mobile technologies in teaching language are increasing, and it is expected to rise in the future. In addition, teachers use different technologies to enhance English language teaching in the settings of inside and outside classrooms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have closed indefinitely. This unexpected situation has forced students to stay at home, and online learning seems to grow exponentially. Thus, through this research review, significant educational outcomes are identified for future investigation practices.

Exploring the Pandemic through Language Learning and Multicultural Studies

This piece offers a reflection on how language learning and multicultural studies during the pandemic have highlighted the potential to help communities draw parallels with, and face wider issues concerning, minorities within a challenged society. Through storytelling, a novel approach to teaching and learning helps students find their voice and become active agents of change. A review of teaching and learning methods may bring about improvements both in academia and individual circumstances to help bridge the gap between loneliness and the need to be part of a wider social community. This article reiterates the importance of language learning, cultural understanding, and identity as useful employability skills for the new global graduates to support, rebuild, and unite communities especially in challenging times. [For the complete volume, "Languages at Work, Competent Multilinguals and the Pedagogical Challenges of COVID-19," see ED612070.]

Complexity and Simplicity during COVID-19: Reflections on Moving Pre-Sessional Programmes Online at Pace

This article describes how a complex and large Pre-Sessional (PS) programme at the University of Southampton (UoS) moved online at pace during the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines the scale of the challenge and the ideas that informed our approach. It gives an overview of the technical and learning design used to deliver the programme, and makes observations on how this was achieved using Blackboard, MS Teams, and Padlet. It indicates how a mix of whole-cohort content and smaller, online group spaces within one site were used to recreate a personalised, small-group teaching experience. It closes with some comments on lessons learned from the experience. [For the complete volume, "Languages at Work, Competent Multilinguals and the Pedagogical Challenges of COVID-19," see ED612070.]

Policies, Practices, and Protocols for the Implementation of Technology Into Language Learning

Many research studies show that the use of technology inside and outside classrooms makes teaching and learning more engaging and motivating. Technology can provide learners with endless opportunities and can improve the learning experience, simplify access to educational resources, enhance autonomous learning, meet individual learning needs, and prepare the learners for future career success when using it to foster 21st-century skills. However, the range and number of technologies currently available can yield challenges for educators if they do not know how to effectively integrate them into their teaching pedagogy. "Policies, Practices, and Protocols for the Implementation of Technology Into Language Learning" discusses the skills necessary for successful technology use in education and examines technology tools that assist in teaching different languages with a focus on English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Covering a range of topics such as reading, writing, and integrated language skills, this book is ideal for instructors, policymakers, administrators, researchers, practitioners, academicians, and students.

English Language Learning Strategies during COVID-19 in the Middle East: A Systematic Review

The recent pandemic has forced the educational sector to unwillingly reform its strategies by compelling it to embrace technology as the savior of the educational process. COVID-19 has adversely affected this sector by forcing a halt to all face-to-face learning in educational institutes, which led to dependence solely on online education and adopting strategies fit solely to distant learning. Thus, this paper has focused on the English language learning strategies adopted during COVID-19. Moreover, this research aims to provide the latest information about online teaching strategies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic by English language instructors in Asia, especially in Middle Eastern countries. This study is qualitative in nature and utilizes the systematic literature review approach. The data for this research was gathered from renowned databases to maintain reliability. The results highlighted that among many strategies, three are most important in teaching the English language during COVID-19, first is collaborative learning (i.e., breakout classes, cloud-based collaboration), the second is flipped classroom, and the final is scaffolding. In the end, the study concluded with the recommendation as the findings of this research can help policymakers and educationists in developing effective or efficient strategies for tackling tough situations or pandemics.

Teachers' Experience in E-Assessment: Case Study of EFL Teachers in Algerian Universities

In the wake of the Corona Virus pandemic, many universities have rapidly shifted to remote education. In this regard, students are enrolled in online learning instead of, or sometimes along with, physical classroom presence. As a result, the online assessment also appeared as an alternative method to assess students. The current research paper aims to provide an in-depth look at the online reviews in EFL teaching and learning in the Algerian context during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main questions that set the study are: How do Algerian English language teachers perceive e-assessment via Moodle? What impact did the online reviews have on assessment practices?, How did an online assessment affect students 'achievements? To answer these questions, the researcher conducted a study with Algerian EFL teachers and students from three Universities. The researcher collected data through a questionnaire addressed to EFL teachers and a comparative analysis of Project-Based Language essays done by the students in face-to-face assessment and online assessment. The findings revealed that although the challenges facing teachers in online review, positive attitudes appeared towards this method. The analysis also demonstrated that the assessment practice used mainly by participated teachers is a summative assessment. The results also showed a big difference in students' achievements between face-to-face assignments and online evaluation, in favor of e-assessment.

Lessons Learned from Teaching English through Facebook Live for Future

Facebook Live has become a means of teaching and learning in many parts of the world. This paper, thus, reports an examination of teaching English through Facebook Live and students' experiences of learning on it in the COVID-19 pandemic. It as participatory action research employed observation of self-managed Facebook Live streaming, and an online semi-structured interview with students and parents. The intervention of Facebook Live consisted of three strategies: pre-recorded video streaming, live teaching and a combination of both. This paper reports on how students in absence of a physical classroom learned English through Facebook Live, developed communicative skills and gained ICT skills. Although the teacher's lessons on Facebook Live were appreciated by students and parents as students could get ideas for speaking English, students expressed concerns if they could interact with the teacher and friends. Facebook Live associated with videoconferencing tools, however, can complement physical classroom learning in crises and normal situations.

Migrating vs. Decentralizing MOOC-Based e-Content to Teaching MA Language and Communication Students

Never before has education been more tech-oriented, cloud-based, and online-driven, especially with this new pandemic-altered educational environment. However, new regulations worldwide limit physical interaction inside the bounds of educational institutions, which pushed Algerian university teachers to operate mainly online under unsuitable conditions. Therefore, our prime objective is to devise a MOOC-based teaching modal that primarily palliates the current dire problems regarding students' equity. One of the solutions proposed in this paper is two equitable, to some extent, tech-enabled modalities of instruction that leverage the available first-rate Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) e-content to teach Master of Arts (MA) students: language and communication students of English department at Mostaganem University in Algeria. There were two online groups, the first one regards migrating to the MOOC itself and letting students operate on the MOOC provider. The second e-group decentralizes the e-content to a closed Facebook group where students can access the e-pedagogical materials directly from the social-media-mediated landscape. To this end, a pedagogical action research based on the comparative approach is used to undertake this study that comprehended 44 students to compare the two e-groups through different working situations. Findings revealed the difference between the two e-modes of teaching. They presented a framework enabling instructors to choose which one to leverage according to students' digital skills and access to internet bandwidth, thus serving as a guideline for any instructor wishing to participate in such an educational endeavor. Finally, implications of these two technologized modes of instruction on the teaching profession overall are set forth.

Transitions to Online Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Activity Theory Perspective

Situated in a Japanese university ELT context, this qualitative exploratory interview-based study offers insights into how ten teachers responded to the challenges of transitioning to emergency remote teaching (ERT). The research was conducted to understand the implications of pandemic-instigated educational changes on teaching practices and perspectives towards effective teaching. An activity theory perspective accounts for the complex interlinking internal and external factors influencing teachers' experiences during and since the ERT. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the ten teachers following the initial period of ERT and through reflective writing by the same teachers 12 months later. Key findings from a content analysis were that perspectives towards effective teaching were generally reinforced and that following reflection on pedagogical practices and professional learning directions many teachers were able to respond effectively to ongoing educational changes. We argue that the implications of the study may reveal important areas of comparison with other systems of activity in heightened states of transition and reveal pathways to the development of new practices.

EFL Teachers’ Sources of Remote Teaching Anxiety: Insights and Implications for EFL Teacher Education

Introduction: This study aims to explore an under-researched issue, namely, remote teaching anxiety. Methods: This study employed a sequential mixed-methods exploratory design where participants initially reported their remote teaching anxiety sources and then rated each. For the analysis, inductive content analysis and statistical tests were employed. Results: The content analysis revealed two major themes: digitalisation-related concerns and online pedagogy-related concerns. Statistically significant difference was only found between anxiety sources and online teaching experience but not between gender, age, teaching experience, work setting and anxiety sources. Discussion: Several studies (Çoklar, Efilti, Sahin, & Akçay, 2016, Hassan et al., 2019) found digitalisation-related concerns causing stress among teachers, however, remote teaching anxiety remains an underexplored construct (Russell, 2020). Although online pedagogy-related concerns were found to cause teaching anxiety in our study, a recent study (Lazarevic & Bentz, 2020) found using technology helpful to decrease anxiety. Limitations: The data were limited to the views of 96 EFL teachers in the Turkish context. Conclusion: We can conclude that limited experience with remote teaching can contribute to higher anxiety among EFL teachers. Additionally, this research can contribute to the relevant literature with several implications on the future of language education.

The Immediate Reactions of EFL Learners towards Total Digitalization at Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current study focused on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' immediate reactions towards total digitalization at higher education during the Covid-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the perceptions of EFL learners on online foreign language learning during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of online foreign language classes during the pandemic from the viewpoints of the participants studying at a public university in Turkey, the study questioned whether the participants preferred online foreign language classes or traditional face-to-face foreign language classes. The study adopted the phenomenological method of qualitative design and employed open-ended questions to collect data. The data were analysed by following a bottom-up strategy, and the categories were formed inductively. The results showed that online foreign language classes had both positive and negative aspects for the learners. Additionally, it was found that more than half of the participants preferred traditional face-to-face foreign language classes to online foreign language classes.