The Effectiveness of an Action Research-Based Training Program in Improving In-service Teachers` Techniques in Teaching English Language Skills and Areas

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of an action research-based training program in improving in-service teachers` techniques in teaching English language skills and areas. To answer the study questions, the researcher used the mixed-method approach and multiple case study with the study sample which consisted of (18) female in-service teachers from the Middle Directorate of Education who were purposefully chosen to take part in the action research-training program. The four-session training program acquainted the participants with the nature of action research, its steps, tools and the importance of reflection. After the first session of the program, the participants were to decide which language skills or areas they wanted to work on and try to improve through designing and conducting their own individual action research projects. To be able to gather qualitative and quantitative data on which the mixed method approach relies, the researcher used five study tools; pre- post achievement test to measure the teachers' background knowledge of action research prior to and after the training program, a questionnaire to test the effect of the training program on the teachers' perspectives of their teaching techniques, an observation card administered to check whether teachers' application of their individual action research projects would improve their teaching, a focus group, and diaries. SPSS package was used to analyze the quantitative data, while the qualitative data was decoded using tables to anticipate common themes from the subjects' diaries and focus group meetings. The results of the study indicated that the action research-based training program bears great potentials to improve teachers' teaching techniques of language skills and areas. Furthermore, it did positively affect teachers' perspectives and their abilities to conduct successful action research projects.