Teachers Reflecting on Boredom in the Language Classroom

This book investigates teacher and student boredom from the perspective of the teacher and illustrates how thinking about different aspects of this negative emotion might enhance reflective practices. It consists of seven chapters. The first four chapters are devoted to the role of positive and negative emotions in L2 learning, conceptualizations of boredom, theories accounting for this negative emotion, and a brief overview of student and teacher boredom-related studies carried out in educational psychology and L2 education. The second part is empirical in nature. It reports on a mixed-methods investigation which tapped learner and teacher boredom from the perspective of EFL secondary school practitioners. The third part of the book integrates teachers' recommendations with outcomes of previous research to propose a reflective practice model of dealing with boredom in the classroom as well as strategies that can be employed to minimize teacher boredom.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of teacher and student boredom, offering a multi-faceted exploration from the perspective of educators. It consists of seven chapters, each dedicated to a distinct aspect of this negative emotion. The first four chapters delve into the intricate interplay of positive and negative emotions in the context of second language learning, providing conceptualizations of boredom, exploring theories that account for its occurrence, and offering a brief overview of studies conducted in educational psychology and second language education.

The second part of the book takes an empirical approach, employing a mixed-methods investigation to shed light on learner and teacher boredom from the perspectives of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) secondary school practitioners. The study focuses on various aspects, including:

Teacher-perceived causes of learners' boredom: Investigating the factors that teachers perceive as contributing to students' boredom in the classroom.

Causes of teachers' own boredom: Exploring the reasons why teachers experience boredom themselves.

Ways in which teachers confront student boredom in the classroom: Analyzing the strategies and approaches teachers employ to address and mitigate student boredom.

Ways in which teachers deal with their own boredom: Examining the coping mechanisms and self-care practices teachers adopt to manage their boredom.

Factors that underpin teacher and student boredom: Uncovering the underlying factors that perpetuate boredom in the classroom.

Ways of combating student and teacher boredom: Exploring innovative approaches and strategies to combat boredom and promote engagement.

The third and final part of the book brings together teachers' recommendations and outcomes of previous research to propose a reflective practice model for dealing with boredom in the classroom. Additionally, it offers practical strategies that teachers can employ to minimize their own boredom and enhance their teaching practices.

By examining teacher and student boredom from multiple angles, this book provides valuable insights into the complexities of this negative emotion and offers practical strategies for educators to address and mitigate it. It serves as a valuable resource for teachers, educators, and researchers interested in understanding and improving the learning experience for both students and teachers.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 153 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800504226