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

Abstract

The research title ``Teachers and students´ perceptions of teaching English in small classes in Ecuador´´, whose purpose in to know teachers and students´ perceptions of teaching and learning English in small classes. The sample consisted of five EFL teachers and one hundred students from a private high school in the city of Guayaquil. The methods used were qualitative and quantitative; also, classroom observations and questionnaires were performed. The aim of the observations was to analyze classroom management, use of teaching strategies, resources, and interaction quality in five English classes. The questionnaires aimed to inquire teachers and students´ perceptions regarding the benefits of teaching and learning English in small classes. These also included teaching strategies, helpful resources, small classes and their possible limitations. Finally, results were presented in charts. The most important conclusion shows that working in small classes favors the learning process because interactions, including teachers´ feedback, enhance students´ achievement in a supportive, challenging learning environment.