Teachers and students` perceptions of teaching English in small classes in Ecuador

Abstract

The main purpose of this study, “Teachers and students` perceptions of teaching English in small classes in Ecuador”, is to determine teachers and students‟ perceptions of teaching and learning English in small classes. A total of 5 teachers and 40 students from an English language institute from the city of Loja participated in the study. A questionnaire including open-ended items was used for data collection. In order to carry out the quantitative and qualitative analysis, the results obtained were described, analyzed and interpreted in relation to the teachers and students` perceptions about teaching English in small classes in Ecuador. The study reveals that teaching English in these types of classes have a positive effect regarding students‟ progress and there are many benefits for teachers and students according to the interviewed´ views. Some of these benefits are related with the facility in designing activities, the higher attention and participation of students, the adequately class space, the appropriate feedback and the greater interaction between teacher and students and between students.