Identification number of paper:conf.bzra15-02250254 A mixed-method study on the effectiveness of English lecturers: learners’ voice

The importance of effective teaching as the basis for improving student achievement, teacher evaluation and designing teacher education programs has been discussed (Brown & Atkins, 1988; Mujis& Reynolds, 2001; Chen, Brown, Hattie, and Millward, 2012). The significance of listening to student voices in relation to their understanding of effective teaching may be profound (Chen, 2010, p. 42). This study investigated university students’ perceptions of effective English teacher. To accomplish the purpose, the study conducted questionnaires among 92 university students. The students believed that delivery skills, knowledge and credibility, and rapport are respectively the most important attributes of an effective English teacher. Moreover, interviews were conducted with nine volunteer participants. Analysis of the interviews with students confirmed the results of questionnaire; delivery (error correction, frequent asking, and clarity of teaching), knowledge (good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar), and rapport (friendliness, sociability, and receptiveness) were considered important characteristics. Implications for teaching standards and teacher improvement are discussed.

Keywords:

effective teaching , English lecturers , mixed-method , Iran , teacher development