TEACHING AND TESTING GRAMMAR IN MOROCCAN DEPARTMENTS OF ENGLISH STUDIES ACROSS REFORMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34301/alsc.v4i1.30Keywords:
Educational reform; grammar; testing; syllabus; grammatical competenceAbstract
This article purports to examine how the expectations of the educational reforms in Moroccan higher education have impacted the teaching and testing of tertiary level grammar. In particular, the hypothesis we defend here is that teaching and testing tertiary level grammar remain constant; therefore, the impact of the various reforms on tertiary level testing is of little consequence. In pursuance of this aim, this paper uses a qualitative approach and content analysis method of the course descriptions of the grammar courses that were suggested across the various reforms. The course descriptions we attempt to analyze are adopted in the English Studies tracks of four major departments in Moroccan universities. The main dimensions that we look at and examine here as the measures
for our comparative evaluation are; course objectives, time allotted, the syllabi they contain, teaching methodology, and evaluation modes. The findings confirm that the various reforms, have had little impact on the teaching and testing of grammar in higher education. The paper concludes by suggesting a few pedagogical recommendations vis-à-vis the teaching and testing of grammar in Moroccan Departments of English studies.
Downloads
References
Andrews, S. (1995). Washback or Washout? The relationship between examination reform and curriculum innovation. In D. Nunan, R. Berry, & V. Berry (Ed.), Bringing about change in language education, (pp. 67-81). Hong Kong: Dept. of Curriculum Studies, University of Hong Kong.
Boubkir, A. & Boukamhi, A. (2005). Educational reforms in Morocco: are the new directions feasible?. In A. T. Al-Bataineh, & M. A Nur-Awaleh (Eds.), International education systems and contemporary education reforms, (pp. 19-36). Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
Boudlal, A. & Sabil, A. (2018). Quality in the Strategic Vision 2015-2030. In R. Erguig & A. Boudlal (Eds.), Quality assurance in English studies in Moroccan higher education, (pp. 21-44). El Jadida: Publications of the Faculty of Letters and Humanities.
Bouziane, A. (2002) Linguistic and Rhetorical Features in Moroccan EFL Pupils’ Narratives: A Longitudinal Study. Doctorate in Education, Faculty of Education: Rabat
Bouziane, A. (2013). Beyond gender: Is English becoming exclusive in Morocco?. Paper pre-sented at the Mate 33rd Annual Conference Marrakech, Morocco.
Brown, H. D. (1987). Principles of language learning and teaching. Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice-Hall.
Chbani, A., & Jaouane, A. (2017). Educational and Career Guidance in Morocco. In R. G. Sultana (Ed.), Career Guidance and Livelihood Planning across the Mediterranean (pp. 107-122). Sense Publishers, Rotterdam.
Dahbi, M. (1984) The Development of English Writing Skills by Moroccan University Students. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis. Washington, D.C: Georgetown University.
El Kaidi, Y. (2018). Educational Reforms in Morocco: A Chronology of Failures. Available at https://insidearabia.com/educational-reforms-morocco-failures
Ellis, R. (2006). Current issues in the Teaching of Grammar: An SLA perspective. In TESOL Quarterly, 40, 83-107. Available at [retrieved on February 22, 2014]: http://www.azargrammar.com/assets/authorsCorner/notesQuotes/NQEllisCurrentIssues.pdf
Ennaji, M. (1997). The university reform project: Change and responsibility. In T. Belghazi (Ed.), Proceedings of the Conference on the Idea of the University, (pp. 335–343). Ra-bat: Publications of the Faculty of Letters and Humanities.
Errihani, M. (2017). English Education Policy and Practice in Morocco. In R. Kirkpatrick (Ed.), English language education policy in the middle east and north Africa, (pp. 115-131). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-02344-1_40
Graddol, D. (2006). English next: Why global English may mean the end of English as a for-eign language. London: British Council.
Karami, A. R. (2014). Facing the Challenges of Educational Reform in the Arab World. Jour-nal of Educational Change, 15(2), 179-202. DOI: 10.1007/s10833-013-9225-6
Larsen-Freeman, D. (2000). Techniques and principles in language teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Makodia, V. V. (2008). Advanced English grammar and communication. Jaipur: Paradise Publishers.
Mansouri, Z. & Moumine, M. E. (2017). Outlook on Student Retention in Higher Education University Reforms in Morocco. International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, Vol. 5 No. 2: 53-60. Doi:10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.5n.2p.53
Marley, D. (2004). Language attitudes in Morocco following recent changes in language poli-cy. Language Policy, 3: 25-46. DOI: 10.1023/B:LPOL.0000017724.16833.66
Nemassi, M. (1991) An Investigation into the Written English of Moroccan Secondary School Pupils. Unpublished D.E.S. (MA) Dissertation. Rabat: Faculty of Education.
Nunan, D. (1988). Syllabus design. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ramaswami,S., Sarraf, I., Haydon, J. (2012). The Benefits of The English Language for Indi-viduals and Societies: Quantitative indicators from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen. Euromonitor International. Retrieved from http://www.teachingengliah.org.uk/publications/benefits-english-language-individuals-societies-quantitative-indicators-algeria-egypt
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (1986). Approaches and methods in language teaching: A description and analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Thomson, A. J., & Martinet, A. V. (1986). A practical English grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Vasquez-Martinez, C. R., Giron, G., Dela-Luz-Arellano, I. & Ayon-Bañuelos, A. (2013). The effects of educational reform. Education Policy, Reforms and School Leadership, 3: 254- 258.
Wang, F. (2010). The necessity of grammar teaching. English Language Teaching, 3(2): 78-81. DOI: 10.5539/elt.v3n2p78
Wilkins, D. A. (1976). Notional syllabuses: A taxonomy and its relevance to foreign language curriculum development. London: Oxford University Press.
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/tempus/participating_countries/reviews/morocco_review_of_higher_education.pdf (2009-2010- 2012)
www.ensup.gov.ma
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
