Challenges for EFL Teachers in Designing Communication Activities: A Chinese Perspective
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study examined the challenges faced by 19 Chinese senior high school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in designing communication activities. By closely examining the design features of the teaching activities employed in their classrooms, it was revealed that the majority of the observed activities lacked authenticity, a crucial aspect emphasized in the extant literature on communication practices. This significant finding underscores the substantial hurdle faced by the participating teachers in creating authentic communication activities. The analysis of the semi-structured interviews suggests that the participants’ comprehension of the concept of “meaning” and its significance in language education might be contributory to the absence of authenticity in their communication activities. Furthermore, while the activities designed for moral education appeared genuinely authentic, they fell short in fostering collaboration among students, potentially leading to less negotiation of meaning. The analysis presented profound insights that can greatly enhance training in communicative language teaching.
Source: SAGE Open
Author: Min Gu
Institution: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,600
Funder: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
OpenAlex ID: W4410757100