Teacher interpersonal behaviour and student achievement in English as a Foreign Language classrooms in China

M. Wei, P.J. Brok, den, Yalun Zhou

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademic

    55 Citations (Scopus)
    3 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    We examined the relationship between English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ interpersonal behaviour and students’ fluency in English in secondary education in China. A total of 160 students from four classes in the southwest part of China were asked to assess their teachers’ interpersonal behaviour using the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI). This was the first time that the QTI was successfully translated and used (in EFL classrooms) in China. Cronbach’s a reliability coefficients for the scales were adequate, while confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the theoretical framework behind the questionnaire. Results showed that teacher uncertainty was negatively correlated with student achievement. Furthermore, the degree of teacher cooperation with students was the only significant predictor for student achievement, but its effect disappeared when student background variables were taken into account. Results also indicated a discrepancy between students’ perceptions of preferred and actual teacher interpersonal behaviour. The tolerant-authoritative profile was the most common interpersonal style based on Chinese students’ perceptions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)157-174
    JournalLearning Environments Research
    Volume12
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Teacher interpersonal behaviour and student achievement in English as a Foreign Language classrooms in China'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this