A qualitative analysis of the EFL teachers´perceptions on their teaching strategies in public high schools in Cuenca

Abstract

A previous exploratorystudy,carried out by Calle et al.,sponsored by the ResearchDirectory of the University ofCuenca (DIUC), regarding teachers’strategies was carried out in Cuenca in 2012.Fifty-four (54)public English teachers were interviewed; however, only some interviews were analyzed.The objective of this paper is to determine the teachers’ perceptions regarding their teaching strategies.Therefore,five (5) interviews,which contained the most relevant information,were chosen for the qualitative analysis. The results showed that the majority of the participants prefer applying traditional strategies in class since they argue traditional strategies are the most effective ones to learn the target language. Also, teachers apply eclectic methods in which there is the combination between communicative and traditional strategies. However, some communicative strategies are not used appropriately. The results of this study will help further research on this topicsince they can shed light on training processes. After all, teachers coulduse the strategies appropriately and implement innovative ones. Furthermore, the results will contribute to pedagogical implications, which can be useful for professors of the English Language Major of the University of Cuenca.