Large Classes in the Context of Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the techniques used by teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in teaching the four language skills to students in large classes in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. This study also seeks to determine the most effective technique to teaching large classes by examining teachers’ experiences. Additionally, this study investigates the teachers’ use of language techniques for language classes with respect to gender, qualification, years of experience, and level of teaching. The subjects of the study were 307 EFL teachers from Saudi schools. This study used descriptive statistical methods to examine the teachers’ preferred techniques in teaching the four central English skills in a large class setting. The results show that EFL teachers use a variety of language techniques in teaching graphic skills rather than aural ones. Further, gender and level of teaching shape their preferences for using certain techniques when teaching language skills in large classes. The study raised some questions for further research.