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

Abstract

The current study: “Teachers and students’ perceptions of teaching English in small classes in Ecuador”, aims at finding possible benefits and limitations while teaching and learning English as a second language in small groups. In order to carry out this research quantitative and qualitative methods were used; the instruments employed were the observation as well as teachers’ and students’ surveys. The analysis was based on questionnaires with 22 posed statements, they were handed out to 80 students aged between 11 and 15 years old from a private high school in Quito - Ecuador; likewise, five teachers, with more than eight years of experience on teaching in small classes. In addition, five classes were observed to gather the most relevant information regarding strategies and resources used by teachers and students’ feelings and perceptions towards these. The findings demonstrate that learning and teaching English in small classes are beneficial for both, teachers and students, since they facilitate teachers to perform personalized activities which improve students’ significant learning and the activities allow pupils to participate more frequently and actively.