The influence of large classes in the English language teaching-learning process in Ecuadorian high schools

Abstract

Large classes and how they might affect learning have been an issue of research in many countries. This study titled, “The influence of large classes in the English teaching-learning process in Ecuadorian high schools” is intended to determine whether or not large classes affect the English teaching-learning process. The participants of this research were two hundred eighty seven students from 8th grade to 3rd senior year of two secondary schools in Quito who were the sample of this study. The research was designed with a quantitative and qualitative method. A likert questionnaire with 21 items was applied to participants in order to gather information about large classes and how they might influence on instructional, social and psychological aspects. The analysis of the data has been supported with graphics which display the results and the findings will describe the type of implications that large classes might cause. It is concluded that a large class does not influence on academic, social or psychological aspects; on the contrary, there are several positive aspects which can become advantages to improve the English teaching-learning process. Key words: language learning, large classes, communication, classroom, activities.