MA.

GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO

B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Learning and teaching English without a textbook:

An action research study

By

Ma. Graciela González Cristo

 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Abstract

An effective and efficient teaching without a textbook of English as a foreign

language can take advantage of a combination of methods, approaches, and syllabi in
order to accomplish the curriculum goals. In a modern society, there is a general idea
that textbooks are indispensable. When a community lacks the opportunity to reach
textbooks for students, teacher and students feel like if the acquisition of the language
could be impossible. This action research has the purpose of identifying the best
combination of methods approaches and syllabi to teach Basic English to adults without
a textbook, using as reference a very well known book: New Interchange Intro Book.
We based the lesson in the summaries of the book and selected different oral and written
activities based on the natural and audio-lingual method, the communicative approach,
and taught it focusing in constructivism. The materials used in the classroom were
board, markers, notebook, pen or pencil, realia, and didactic material designed by the
teacher. The researcher planned it in order to create an environment of a school that
lacks of modern textbooks, technology, and other kind of materials. To evaluate this
study we used a criteria reference test specially designed for the reference book to
compare with a pre-established rating. The results indicated the implementation of
program was successful. Students had a good performance in the achievement tests.
Some of them needed more study time in each unit, because their learning style required
the use of a textbook in order to replace it. They needed extra practice time. The final
average obtained by the sample was 91.9, which indicates they got a satisfactory rate of
learning. Students’ comments in their journals demonstrated they found the program
efficient, effective, and dynamic, with a relative degree of difficultness. In all the cases,
students mentioned they improved in good scale their academic knowledge as well as
writing, reading, listening and in a lower degree their speaking skill. Therefore, the
approaches, methods, mixed syllabuses, and teaching activities employed during the
course allowed real beginner students of English as a foreign language, who normally
attended classes, to acquire the language without using a textbook.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Introduction

Through the last century, many researchers have developed theories, methods, and
approaches to demonstrate that a second language acquisition is easier and faster if
teaching focuses on their principles. Therefore, researchers such as H. Douglas
Brown, James Dean Brown, Jack C. Richards, and others had written about the
topic. In addition, recent investigations claim that the use of a sole method or
approach is not appropriate for a good teaching and learning. They propose to base
teaching on the needs analysis and combine different characteristics of diverse
methods, approaches, and techniques to achieve the objectives. To set the
background of this action research, it is necessary to mention the main issues
related to language, and the differences not always clear between second language
and foreign language. Moreover, the acquisition of a second language, and the
factors which affect and facilitate learning like the teacher and learners’ education,
beliefs, personal factors, roles, among other as well as curriculums, textbooks, and
materials.
The current panorama relates to the way students acquire a foreign or second
language, which is something that seems very simple in an every day class.
Nevertheless, it has a complicate background. Researchers have collected facts and
studied them. They have developed theories, methods, syllabuses that help teachers
teach effectively, and learners acquire the target language. The staff responsible of the
program should decide among all these alternatives to establish guidelines when
developing the curriculum. At this stage, it is necessary to study and evaluate needs
analysis, goals, objectives, testing, materials, and teaching of the program. All this
previous work is taken into the classroom by teachers who face a very different situation
of the one considered in the curriculum, as different characteristics of the students, like
previous knowledge, learning styles, personal factors, among others. At this moment,
teachers need to rest their teaching practice in their knowledge, experience, and why
not… intuition.
In order to motivate a successful learning, teachers can adapt or develop the
materials adopted for the course. A very important one, among others is the textbook; it
is a helpful tool for teachers and learners, when selected appropriately, considering it
includes all the topics stated in the syllabus. This situation helps teachers to plan
lessons as well as to give ideas to make classes more effective, interesting, and
appealing to the students.
At the end of the program, need analysts must revise the curriculum. They take
in consideration the difficulties appeared during the course and the changing needs of
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

the students. In few words, they completely evaluate it, in order to create a new updated
curriculum.
Nevertheless, what happens when a community of learners cannot afford buying
expensive English textbooks? There are for instance, rural towns where English
textbooks are not available, and in case they can get them from other place, the price
will be inaccessible. Because we are aware that globalization forces people to learn a
foreign language, in our case English, and we know the importance to teach the
language to all the population without leaving anyone behind, what is the problematic
situation that teachers face in this case?
The essential question to answer in this study is what is the best combination of
methods, approaches, and syllabuses to teach real beginners EFL students without a
textbook? This, considering that schools should not left the development of a program
only on teachers’ hands. Besides, knowing that a curriculum integrates several
components in which the students’ needs remain one of the most important ones.
Our research will help to facilitate teaching work and to improve students´
acquisition of the language in public schools, English teachers, and teachers who work
in places where English textbooks are not available or are very expensive. The
methodology selected for this study is appropriate because the purpose of the study is to
investigate how students can learn without a textbook, and to identify the best way to
teach the language. We need to analyze day by day, what is happening in the class. A
teaching journal can reflect the main events in class and the teacher can obtain
information that could show if the selected method works. If not, he or she will be able
to make the required changes. A learning journal, written in Spanish, will offer
information about the students’ feelings about the class; and finally a lesson report will
provide information about the way the lesson plans are working, showing if the teacher
can continue implementing them the way planned or need a change in some way.

Literature Review

This study consists on an action research, which is a procedure in where schoolteachers

study about a problem because they want to evaluate the achievement and /or
appropriateness of certain activities and procedures perceived or done in the class, in
order to improve the teaching and learning processes.
According to Harmer (2001), action research has a sequence. It needs to identify
a problem or issue, then to think of questions to ask and information to gain, after that,
data should be collected and analyzed and finally decide on future actions.
Data collecting often involves more than one of the following methods: teaching
and learning journals, observation task videotape or audiotape, interviews, written
questionnaires.
Brown, D. (2001), cited that language and learning have universal
characteristics. Whereas language is a system integrated by a set of arbitrary symbols, it
is primary vocal, but it can be visual too. Moreover, people acquire it in the same way,
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

using it for communications within a speech community or culture. Learning is

acquisition, it origin a change in behavior, involves practice and reinforce, implies a
storage system, memory and cognitive organization, resulting relatively retention of
information or skills. However, it is subject to forgetting. Teaching and learning
definitions relate each other. Teaching is guiding and facilitating learning, enabling the
learner to learn, setting the conditions for learning.

It is essential to know about schools of thought. They studied the way people
acquire a second language in the early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. “English as a Second
Language (ESL) is the teaching of English to people who are living in an English-
speaking country, but whose first language is not English.” (Dictionary of
Contemporary English, 2003, p. 530) “English as a Foreign Language (EFL) the
teaching of English to people whose first language is not English, and do not live in an
English-speaking country.” (Dictionary of Contemporary English, 2003, p. 503)
Structuralism or Behaviorism school based their researches in the precise application of
the scientific principle of observation of human languages. They examined only
the visibly apparent data, publicly observable responses they objectively perceived,
recorded, and measured. In addition, behaviorist typical themes were empiricism and
surface structure besides conditioning and reinforcement. Some of the promoters of
this school were Leonard Bloomfield, Edward Sapir, Charles Hockett, Charles Fries,
and others. (Brown, D., 2001)
In the decade of the 1960s, a school of linguistics emerged through the
influence of Naom Chomsky. Their principal focus was the generative
linguistics, which was interested in describing language and explained the level of
adequacy in the study of language. That is a “principled basis, independent of any
particular language, for the selection of descriptively adequate grammar of each
language” (Chomsky, 1974). Cognitivists tried to discover psychological principles of
organization and functioning, and to find motivations and deeper structures of human
conduct by using rational approach. They employed the tools of logic, reason,
extrapolation, and inference in order to derive explanations for human behavior.
In the last part of the twentieth century a new school of thought appeared. When
we name Jean Piaget and Lev Vygostsky, we necessary talk about this new school of
thought, Constructivism. This school thought that all human beings construct their own
version of reality. Therefore, multiple contrasting ways of knowing and describing are
equally legitimate. Learning focus on individuals engaged in a collaborative group. In
addition, believe this learning as relatively solitary act. In other words, each person
builds its own knowledge.
The study of how students acquire a second language is relative new. Two
centuries ago, investigations took to the classrooms many ideas claiming to be the best.
As soon as that happened, another one, somewhere else appeared. To have an overview
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

of the path followed by researchers, we should know the definition of an approach and a
method. The ideas of these two terms have been changing through time. However, the
current meaning for approach is “the assumptions beliefs and theories about the nature
of the language and language learning, and the applicability of both to pedagogical
setting”, (Brown 2001, p.16). A method is “a generalized set of classroom specification
for accomplishing linguistic objectives” (Brown, 2001, p.16).

Below we provide an overview adapted from Nunan (1989). The author

described the most important methods and approaches for teaching English as a second
language.

Audio-lingual:
Theory of language: Language is a system of rule-governed structures
hierarchically arranged.
Theory of learning: Habit formulation; skills are learned more
effectively if oral precedes written; analogy,
not analysis,
Objective: Control of structures of sound, form and order,
mastery over symbols of the language, goal:
native- speaker mastery.

Total physical response

Theory of language: Basically, a structuralism grammar-based view of
language
Theory of learning: L2 learning is the same as L1 learning;
comprehension before production is “imprinted”
through carrying out commands right-brain
functioning); reduction of stress
Objective: Teach oral proficiency to produce learners who can
communicative uninhibitedly and intelligibly with
native speakers.

The silent way

Theory of language: Each language is composed of elements that give it
a unique rhythm and spirit. Functional vocabulary,
core structure are the key to the spirit of the
language.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Theory of learning: Processes of learning a second language are

necessarily different from L1, learning. L2 learning
is an intellectual, cognitive process. Surrender to
the music of the language silent awareness then
active trail.
Objective: Near-native fluency, correct pronunciation, basic
practical knowledge of the grammar of the L2
learner how to learn a language.

Community language learning

Theory of language: Language is more than system for communication.
It involves the whole person, culture, educational,
developmental communicative processes.
Theory of learning: Learning involves the whole person. It is a social
process of growth from childlike dependence to
self-direction and independence.
Objective: No specific objective, near-native mastery is the
goal.

The natural approach

Theory of language: The essence of language is meaning. Vocabulary,
not grammar is the heart of language.
Theory of learning: there are two ways of L2 language development:
acquisition natural subconscious process, and
learning, a conscious process. Learning cannot
lead to acquisition
Objective: Designed to give beginners and intermediate
learners basic communicative skills. It focus in
four broad areas, basic personal communicative
skill (oral/written), academic learning skills
(oral/written).

Suggestopedia
Theory of language: Rather conventional, it recommends memorization
of completely meaningful text
Theory of learning: Learning occurs through suggestion, when learners
are in a deeply relaxed state. To induce this state it
uses Baroque music.
Objective: To deliver advanced conversational competence
quickly. Learners are required to master prodigious
list of vocabulary pairs, although the goal is to
understand, no memorization.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Communicative language teaching

Theory of language: Language is a system for the expression of
meaning; primary function-interaction and
communication.
Theory of learning: Activities involve real communication; carrying
out meaningful tasks; and using the language
which is meaningful to the learner promote
learning
Objective: Objectives will reflect the needs of the learner;
they will include functional skills as well as
linguistic objectives. (Cited in Brown, D., 2001,
p.34)

The grammar-translation approach

Theory of language: Teachers and students use their native language

with little active use of the target language. The
way to learn vocabulary is in form of isolated word
list.
Theory of learning: Teacher gives elaborated explanations of grammar,
which provides the rules for putting words
together. Instruction often focuses on the
form and inflection of words. Students start
reading of difficult texts early in the course of
study. This theory pays little attention to the
content of texts treating them as exercises in
grammatical analysis.

Objective: The only drills are exercises in translating

disconnected sentences from the target language
into the mother tongue, and vice versa. In addition,
give little or no attention to pronunciation. (Brown,
D., 2000, p. 15)

After citing the background, we can immerse now in what it is handled now in
this theme. Learning a second language is a process in which the complete person
changes. His/her thoughts, the way the person views the world, the knowledge of a new
culture, her/his voice (tone, stress); in few words, something new involves the whole
human being. (Chan, Kaplan-Winger, & Sandstrom, 1995) It is a very important reason
to take into consideration; the personal factors, which affect teachers and learners.
Therefore, when a method is chosen a lot of question should be asked first: who, what,
how, when, where and why questions associated to any imaginable issue related to
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

teaching and learning: the learner, the teacher, the place, the purpose, and length of the
course, the learning styles, etc. Brown, D., 2000, p.2)
It has been discussed during many decades the association that links theory and
performance in the second language awareness and instruction. How can we fit theory
to the classroom? Professors, researchers, have developed all the existent theories but
teachers are the ones that live day by day, what happens in the classroom, and knows
about the real needs of the students. Teachers are researchers when they try to find out
solutions to the problems they perceive in the class, so anytime the means for
understanding of those problems are put together to find a solutions, a teacher becomes
in a theory builder.(Brown, D., 2001)
When we need to decide to trust or not a hypothesis or someone’s claims, it is
acceptable to doubt about the errors, but also to emphasize the successes analyzing them
to find their usefulness. Teachers generally want to know if a method is right and if
following it could lead the learners to a successful acquisition of the language. This
analytical approach to the language favors also an intuitive approach. Intuition involves
certain kind of risk taking from teachers and students. There is sufficient evidence that
good teachers have developed good intuition, grounded in the knowledge of the theories
and their own experience, which is very important and has not substitute. It allows the
teachers to become creative, searching for the different ways to improve their teaching
and building their own theory. (Brown, D., 2001)
To plan a language program we should first considerate theories, approaches,
methods; then the way we organize the program will be by developing a curriculum,
although, how can we do that? Understanding that curriculum is a complete
organization of a program, we have to take in account the needs analysis, objectives,
testing, materials, and the teaching, all together integrate the whole program.
In needs analysis are involved the target group, (students in the program) the
audience, (teacher, teachers aids, program administrators); needs analysts, (persons
responsible for conducting the needs analysis) and resource group (any people who may
serve as source of information about the target group. All these people working as a
team should gather information and analyze the different types of questions to identify
problems experienced. They have to set priorities, that is, to select the topics, language
use, skills and so on; considering everything, which is important, like abilities of the
students regarding to the language and attitudes toward it. This group should try to find
the solution to hypothetical problems making changes based in conciliation and
determination. The instruments used for gathering information are existing data, tests,
observation, interviews, meeting, and questionnaires. (Brown, J., 1995)
We know for whom and how is going to be our program planned, it is time to
state the goals of the course which is not other thing that to establish the purpose of the
program in a very clear way, that could be understand by anyone. After structuring the
goals, we outline the objectives, specific information about what the learner will know
or acquire at the final of the course. Since the beginning, it is necessary to plan testing;
proficiency, placement, achievement, or diagnosis tests have different purpose and help
to evaluate students at different stages of the course. The materials are the techniques
and exercises used in the classroom teaching. A syllabus is the organizing of the
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

language content of the course or program. Syllabuses are part of a curriculum they are
structural, organized around grammar; situational, around common situations (bank,
supermarket…); topical around themes (weather, health…), Functional, by
communicative functions; skills such as listening, reading, writing and speaking and
finally task syllabuses organized around activities (drawings, following directions…).
(Hammer, J., 2001)
There is a little empirical evidence that a type of syllabus works better than
other, many good teachers use a combination of syllabuses type. (Brown, J., 1995) It is
very important to know about the different kind of materials, analyze and evaluate them,
looking for pros and cons before taking any decision. Books, workbooks, journals,
maps, realia, vide tapes, teacher’s books magazines, pictures, charts, graphs, diagrams
cassette tapes, computer, software, video discs and computers are the materials can a
teacher use in classroom, they can be adopted, developed or adapted depending its
nature and the teacher’s skills. Regarding to textbooks, they are a key component in
most language programs, providing the basis for the content of the lesson and ideas on
how to plan and teach it, they supplement the teacher’s instruction, for inexperienced
teachers may also serve as a form of teacher training. Most language teaching that take
place throughout the globe these days could not occur without the use of textbooks.
Learning how to use and adapt textbooks is consequently an imperative part of the
teacher’s professional development. (Richards, J., 2001) Teachers are a central element
but most of the time they take decision without assistance, taking by themselves all the
responsibility, instead of having a teamwork and organization’s support.
The result of this long process, take us to an obvious procedure: the program
evaluation. At this point we have sufficient information about the components of the
curriculum and it is good to stop, analyze and evaluate, to ensure if what it was planned
before worked out well, if not, which of the components may be changed and in what
manner. How can we improve the curriculum in order to design a better program? What
part must continue steady, which needs modifications? Which are obsolete? In short,
elaborate a new improved curriculum.

Methods

This action research investigates which is the best combination of methods,

approaches, and techniques to teach and learn English without a textbook. We chose
this kind of study because some colleagues, who work for public schools were worried
about their students’ situation. They complained it was difficult to teach large classes
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

without a textbook. However, textbooks are not the only materials to teach. When we
had the opportunity to instruct English to the participant of the study, we knew they
could not afford buying a textbook. We decided to demonstrate it is possible taking
advantage of other techniques and material.

1. Participants
The participants are a sample of 13 people, 84.6% are females, and the 15.4 %
are males. They will be selected form a class of 55 people according to attendance, a
minimum of 90%. They are public workers in different departments of the government
in Tampico, Tam. Mexico. The students are adults ranging 19 to 61 years old. Their
native language is Spanish and they have from low to medium income, as well as
academic background. They work as secretaries, assistants, teachers, nurses, janitors,
etc. Regarding to English language, they are real beginners and wish to study English
for business purpose. This course is free and we accepted to teach the course without a
textbook.

2. Instructional Context

The program, the teaching methodology, the different types of activities, and the
materials integrate the instructional context.

2.1 Program

General Goals

The researcher designed the program was especially for a group of public
workers of the government of Tampico, Tam. Mexico Only real beginners
enrolled the course.

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

 Know the essential grammar tenses and structures needed for basic level
of language proficiency.
 Know 50 essential functions, which develop the students’ communicative
skills, enable to participate in a simple communication on a wide variety
of topics.
 Develop listening skills for example: listening for a gist, details and
inferring meaning from a context.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

 Read simple passages developing receptive language and vocabulary as

well as the skills of guessing words from a context, skimming, scanning
for information.
 Write about personal interests and essential functions.
 Use a vocabulary of 1000 words.

2.2 Teaching Methodology

The course applies a combination of the communicative approach, audio

lingual, and the natural method, depending in the subjects, exercises or materials
taught or used in the class.
Here is an overview of these methods and approaches adopted from
Numan 1989, (B rown, D., 2001). The characteristics written below are the ones
adopt for the study.

Natural method
 Theory of language is meaning: Vocabulary not grammar is the heart
of language
 Objective: This method provides beginners and intermediate learners
basic communicative skills.
 Activity types: Allow the comprehensible input, about things in the
here-and now.
 Roles of materials: Materials come from realia rather than textbooks;
primary aim is to promote comprehension and communication.

Communicative approach
 Theory of language: system for expression of meaning primary
function- interaction and communication
 Objective: will reflect the needs of the learner
 Syllabus: It will include some or all of the following structures,
functions, notions, themes, and tasks. Learner needs guide ordering.
 Teacher roles: The teacher is facilitator of the communication
process
 Roles of materials: The primary role is to promote authentic
communicative language use, task-based materials.

Audio-lingual method
 Theory of learning: Habit formation; skills are learned more
effectively if oral proceeds written; analogy not analysis.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

 Objectives: Controls the structures of sounds form. As well, as

seeks mastery over symbols of the language. This method seeks
native-speaker mastery.
 Learners role: Organisms that can be directed by skilled training
techniques to produce correct responses

2.3 Types of activities

Students are not going to use a textbook. I am going to teach the lessons
according to the syllabus in the New Interchange Intro Book and using as a
resource book the American English Course Book One.
In one session I am going to teach the vocabulary and expressions
with the help of oral and written exercises in which all the students will
participate taking turns to answer to questions made by the teacher or by some of
their classmates; as well as other kind of activities and realia. In one session, we
are going to present the topic, vocabulary, functions and expressions. In the next
class, the student will review everything taught in the previous lesson, basing the
exercises on the material in the American English Course Book One in oral
skills. After getting the results of the first test, we will consider if we need to
implement changes to our method in the following classes.

Teaching and Learning Activities

Vocabulary Activities:
- The teacher is going write the vocabulary on the board.
- The student is going to copy on a notebook the vocabulary
- The teacher is going to give the pronunciation
- The student will infer the meaning of words
- Individual and choral repetitions
- The teacher is going to correct the pronunciation.
- The students are going to use of words in a context with the
help of:
- Realia
- Examples
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

- Dialogs Teacher- Students

Grammar Activities

- The teacher is going to write the grammar structures on the

board.
- The teacher is going to explain them (bilingual)
- The teacher is going to give examples
- The students are going to produce analog structures using
the vocabulary
- The student is going to write examples
- The student will share the example with the class
- The teacher is going to correct pronunciation and grammar
structure.

Functions and expressions

- The teacher is going to write the expressions on the board.

- The student is going to copy them on a notebook.
- The teacher is going to model the pronunciation and stress.
- The student is going to infer the meaning.
- The students are going to participate in individual and choral
repetitions.
- The student is going to use the vocabulary and previous
knowledge, which could be adapted to the expressions as
- The student is going to write examples.
- The student is going to share those examples with the class.
- The teacher is going to correct pronunciation and grammar
structure mistakes.
- When it is possible, the examples are going to be used in a
Role-play.

2.4 Materials

 Board
 Markers
 Notebooks
 Pen or pencil
 Realia
 Resource books for the teacher:
New Interchange Intro Book: English for International Communication.
Jack C. Richards & Tay Lesly, Cambridge University Press. Teacher’s book ,
workbook.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

American English Course One, Jack M. Morris, James, Patrick Carter, and
Victoria S. de Cisneros. Instituto Mexicano Norteamericano de Relaciones
Culturales, A. C.

New Interchange Intro Book bases in a communicative approach, which works

along with the purpose of the study, and it is possible to adapt it for the syllabus of the
program. The American English Course book one belongs to a series of nine books.
Also bases learning in a communicative approach. It is going to be a complementary
resource book. The instructor will adapt it for oral exercises and activities. It follows the
same sequence of the New Interchange Intro Book’s syllabus and it will help in
developing of speaking and listening skills in addition to oral practice of grammar
structures.

3. Data Collection Instruments

Criterion Reference Tests

To demonstrate this method offers satisfactory results. We are going to use as a

parameter the criterion-reference tests (CRTs) designed for the reference book
(Appendix A). This will measure the students’ knowledge according to a pre-
established criterion. There are four pre-designed tests. These tests measure students’
knowledge of grammar, conversational expressions, productive vocabulary, and
listening skills. It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete in class
Each has a total score of 100 points, 50 correct answers are possible at two
points each. Their average will give the student’s final grade. The sum of the
students’ average divided into the number of people in the sample will give the mean.
A satisfactory rate of learning is 80. A lower score indicates the method needs
changes therefore, it is necessary to find the problems, and re-teach the topics.

3.2 Learning journal

Students are going to write a learning journal in their native language.

(Appendix B) They will mention their feelings about the class, the method,
exercises, and teacher’s development. What and how they feel working without a
textbook, its difficultness, if the class is boring or not and why. Regarding to
academic development they will write about improvement degree so as in their
receptive and productive skills. Learners are going to report the result every four
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

lessons. These will help to select the type of modifications to create more
attractive and appealing class for the students.

3.3 Teaching journal and lesson report

The instructor is going to write a teaching journal, reporting every

important event in class and its progress. Moreover, will observe all the students,
writing about their performance, and the problems they undergo in class. In
other words, the teacher will write down what actually takes place during class,
and the developing of the goals and objective of the course according to the
syllabus planning. With the purpose of reflecting on later and make adjustments.

Results

In order to collect the data to accomplish a conclusion, we used as

parameter the criterion reference tests (CRTs) designed for the teacher’s reference
books: New Interchange Intro Book: English for International Communication. These
tests will measure the students’ knowledge according to a pre-established criterion.
There are four pre-designed tests. Test one, is going to be applied after studying topics
one to four, test two after topics five to eight, test three after topics nine to twelve, and
test four after topics thirteen to sixteen. . In addition, to have the students’ perspective of
the course we asked them to write several learning journals, as well as a teaching one
where the instructor is going to write what happened in the class, to make adjustments
where there were needed.
Due to external problems, we had to change the sample. For data collection, we
took in consideration only the students with a 90% of attendance.

1. Sample analysis

The sample of students is integrated by thirteen people all of them

public workers (table 2), their age range from nineteen to sixty years old (table
1). Eleven of them are female and two males.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Table 1 Age and gender of the students

Age Number of females Number of males
- 20 1 0
21 – 30 2 0
31 – 40 4 0
41 - 50 2 1
51 - 61 2 1
Total 11 2

Table 2 Occupation

Occupation NUMBER OF PERSONS

Electrician 1
Office assistant 2
Social worker 1
School principal 2
Secretary 4
Chief in charge of inspectors 1
Did not give their position 2
Total 13

2. Criterion-Reference Tests

2.1 Test 1 Scores

Test 1 (topics 1 to 4) measured students’ knowledge of grammar,

conversational expressions, productive vocabulary and listening
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

skills. It took approximately 45-60 minutes to complete in class. Each

had a total score of 100 points, 50 correct answers were possible at 2
points each. The class average was 81.8 (table 3). Females got an average
of 81.8 and males of 75 (table 4). The scores of Test 1, average
regarding to occupations are on table 5.

Table 3 Test 1- scores

Score Number of persons
100 2 200
90 4 360
80 3 240
70 1 70
60 3 180
990/ 13 =
Average 81.8

Table 4. Scores according to gender

Score Females Males
100 2 200 0 0
90 3 270 1 90
80 3 240 0 0
70 1 70 0 0
60 2 120 1 60
11 900/11= 2 150/2=
Average 81.8 75

Table 5. Scores according to occupations

 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Occupation Number of persons Score

Electrician 1 60
Office assistant 2 60
Social worker 1 70
School principal 2 90.5
Secretary 4 90.5
Chief in charge of inspectors 1 90
Did not give their position 2 80
Total 13

2.2 Test 2 Scores

Test two (topics 5 to 8) measured students’ knowledge of

grammar, conversational expressions, productive vocabulary and listening skills.
It took approximately 45-60 minutes to complete in class. Each had a total score
of 100 points, 50 correct answers were possible at two points each. The class
average was 94 (Table 6). Females got an average of 94. There were no males in
this sample. (Table 7) The scores according to occupation are on table 8.

Table 6. Test 2- scores

SCORE NUMBER OF PERSONS
100 3 300
90 1 90
80 1 80
70
60
470/5
AVERAGE 5 94
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Table 7 Test 2 scores according to gender

Score Females Males
100 3 300
90 1 90
80 1 80
70
60
470/5
Average 94

Table 8. Test 2 scores according to occupations

Occupation Number of persons Score
Electrician
Office assistant
Social worker
School principal 1 95
Secretary 4 90
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Chief in charge of inspectors

Did not give their position
Total 5

2.3 Test 3 Scores

Test three (topics 9 to 12) measured students’ knowledge of

grammar, conversational expressions, productive vocabulary and listening skills. It
took approximately 45-60 minutes to complete in class. Each had a total score of 100
points, 50 correct answers were possible at two points each. The class average was
96 (Table 9). Females got an average of 96. There were no males in this sample.
(Table 10) The scores according to occupation are on table 11.

Table 9. Test 3- scores

SCORE NUMBER OF PERSONS
100 4 400
90 0 0
80 1 80
70
60
480/5
Average 5 96

Table 10 Test 3 scores according to gender

Score Females Males
100 4 400
90 0 0
80 1 80
70
60
480/5
Average 96
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Table 11. Test 3 scores according to occupations

Occupation Number of persons Score
Electrician
Office assistant
Social worker
School principal 1 100
Secretary 4 95
Chief in charge of inspectors
Did not give their position
Total 5

2.4 Test 4 Scores

Test four (topics 13 to 16) measured students’ knowledge of

grammar, conversational expressions, productive vocabulary and listening skills. It
took approximately 45-60 minutes to complete in class. Each had a total score of 100
points, 50 correct answers were possible at two points each. The class average was
96 (Table 12). Females got an average of 96. There were no males in this sample.
(Table 13) The scores according to occupation are on table 14.

Table 12. Test 4- scores

SCORE NUMBER OF PERSONS
100 3 300
90 2 180
80
70
60
480/5
Average 5 96

Table 13 Test 4 scores according to gender

Score Females Males
100 3 300
90 2 180
80
70
60
480/5
Average 96
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Table 14. Test 4 scores according to occupations

Occupation Number of persons Score
Electrician
Office assistant
Social worker
School principal 1 90
Secretary 4 97.5
Chief in charge of inspectors
Did not give their position
Total 5

2.5 Final Average

The final average resulted from the four CRT’s Tests was 91.9
(Table 15). Females got an average of 91.9 and males obtained an average of
75 (Table 16). The final scores regarding to occupations are shown on table
17.

Table 15. Final average of four CRT’s Tests

Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Final average
Average 81.8 94 96 96 367.8/4 91.9

Table 16. Final average according to gender

FEMALES MALES
TEST 1 AVERAGE 81.8 75
TEST 2 AVERAGE 94
TEST 3 AVERAGE 96
TEST 4 AVERAGE 96
367.8./4
FINAL AVERAGE 91.9 75
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Table 17 Final average according to occupations

Occupation Number Test Number Test Number Test Number Test Final
of 1 of 2 of 3 of 4 average
people score people score people score people score
Electrician 1 60 60

Office 2 60 60
assistant
Social 1 70 70
worker
School 2 90.5 1 90 1 100 1 90 92.6
principal
Secretary 4 90.5 4 95 4 95 4 97.5 94.5

Chief in 1 90 90
charge of
inspectors
Did not 2 80 80
give their
position
Total 13 5 5 5

3. Learning Journals

Students wrote a journal. They gave a report after each of the tests
describing their feelings and opinions about the class method, dynamism,
difficultness, effectiveness, as well as about their general academic and
skills improvement. Appendix B They mentioned how they liked or
disliked it, or how they have improved or not in the academic
competence. After gathering the information, we got the following
results:

3.1 Report 1

a) The Method
Ten students mentioned they enjoy the class very much,
that the method was excellent. One student mentioned the method
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

was good. Two learners wrote they think the method is good, they
liked it, but they feel they still need a textbook.

b) Dynamism
Eleven students said classes were very dynamic, that the
teacher motivated them to participate many times in each class.
One said classes were just OK, liked, and enjoyed learning. A
person reported the need of using a book, more games.

c) Difficultness
The opinions concerning to difficultness vary a lot only
four students said the class was not difficult at all. Five
mentioned it was a little or regular difficult and the other four
said it was hard or very hard, but they did their best effort.

d) Effectiveness
Nine students mentioned they learned a lot, that it was
really an effective method. Two established the class was
effective and they learned well in general. Two persons found the
class relatively effective. They think they need a textbook.

e) General Academic Improvement

From the thirteen students, three of them said they noticed
a regular improvement. Eight students observed a good
improvement and one an excellent acquisition of the language.

f) Listening
Two students observed a regular development. Seven
students a good improvement, and four acquired an excellent
progress.

g) Speaking
Four students had a little progress in speaking, six a
regular and three a good improvement in this skill.

h) Reading
Four students had a regular improvement; five think they
got a good advance and the last four an excellent development.

i) Writing
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Four students got a regular advance, 5 a good one, and

other four an excellent improvement.

3.2 Reports 2, 3 and 4

The results obtained on the last three reports of the learning

journals were in general similar because the same students integrated the
sample. They mentioned the method was dynamic and they felt
comfortable following it. They found it effective but they required a lot
of attention, organization and some extra study without being difficult.
Regarding to academic development, they learned a lot and they
improved considerably their listening, reading, and writing skills but they
want to get more practice in speaking. They would like to continue
studying English.
.

4. Teaching Journal and Lesson Report

Outline of the most important reflections on our teaching journal and

lesson report are:

 Students were interested in the class. They cooperated, participated,

and learned well.
 External problems, which in this case was the students’ work,
(elections, change of government) motivated students’ desertion,
about the 60%.
 Absences forced repetition of the lessons. That meant more practice
for students who always attended classes.
 Following lesson plans according to the syllabus schedule was
difficult.
 Students that continued in the course did not attend daily, that is a
limitation for the course, because without a textbook, you need the
90% of attendance, in order to attain the goals of the program.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

 Keeping the students busy in different activities made the course

dynamic and interesting.
 Older students were very interesting, they really know the
importance of the language in their work life, and they made a big
effort to attend and to acquire it.
 A smaller class provides additional individual participation and
increases teacher’s attention to each of the students.

Discussion

After collecting the data and obtaining the results, we confirm that using a
combination of the communicative approach, the audio-lingual and natural methods,
under the implementation of the learning focus of constructivism, the acquiring of
English, as a foreign language is effective and efficient without using a textbook, when
students have at least the 90% of attendance.
The principal external factor directly affecting the developing of the course was
students´ attendance, limited by their work requirements. It was the most important
problem encountered during the developing of this action research. Regarding to
classroom equipment, the only problem found was that the classroom had a little
whiteboard, not enough to write all the information in a clear way.
Students received well both the method and the course. They enjoyed and
learned at the same time. Students’ comments in their journals (see appendix B on page
30) demonstrated they found the program efficient, effective, and dynamic, with a
perceived relative degree of difficultness. In all the cases, students mentioned they
improved their academic knowledge: writing, reading, listening and in a lower scale
their improvement of speaking abilities.
The course was effective in general and the course’s objectives adequate to the
students’ English level. During the accomplishment of the program, we executed the
methods chosen for the course as planned. Students received the course very
enthusiastic. They worked hard and practice without a textbook and in most of the
cases, the use of a textbook was not required, at least for this real beginner’s class.
There was enough time to cover each of the topics, having every student the opportunity
to practice many times during each session. Lessons were very dynamic; the teacher
participated around 25% of the time. Students gained enough oral and written practice
throughout the other 75%. They had the opportunity to learn from their classmates and
teacher’s corrections. A benefit detected in this program without a textbook, was that
students were always paying attention and taking notes, otherwise they could miss and
important part of the lesson.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Students had a good performance in the achievement tests. Some need more
study time in each unit, because their learning style required the use of a textbook; in
order to replace it, they need extra practice time. The final average obtained by the
sample was 91.9, (Table 15) which indicates they got a satisfactory rate of learning. It is
important to state that the sample chosen for the first evaluation was of 13 persons with
an average score of 81.1 (Table 1). Students´ desertion increased in this second part of
the course. Around 16 students attended regularly, but on date of the three last tests,
only five students attended. As the group became smaller, the rate of learning obtained
for the second evaluation averaged 94 points (Table 6), and for the third and fourth
evaluations were 96 on each of them. (Tables 9 and 12)
There are students who still need to review some lessons; however, there were
other external factor modifying the results such as no time for extra study, stress, family
problems, learning styles, and academic background.
The teaching methods employed were good, as grades and learning journals
illustrate it. In Test one, only three of the thirteen students got a grade equal to six
(Table 3). According to their occupation, (Table 5) students obtaining a grade of six
were the ones who develop more physical job, where reading, writing as well as
studying is not very frequent. Therefore, from the results, we infer that students´
learning style, study habits, and academic background have a near relation with their
score, suggesting this as a further research.
The results indicated the implementation of program was successful, but
absenteeism did not permit to have the complete sample when applying the second,
third and fourth tests. . For further research, I recommend, that in order to avoid
desertion, it is important to work with people who pay for the course, people committed
by their work superiors or their parents.
In conclusion, the approach, methods, mixed syllabuses, and teaching activities
employed during the course allowed real beginner students of English as a foreign
language, who normally attended classes to acquire the language without using a
textbook, obtaining a very good rate of learning.
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Bibliography

Brown, D. (2000). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. Englewood Cliffs,

NJ: Prentice-Hall

Brown, D. (2001). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language

Pedagogy. NY: Pearson Education

Brown, J (1995). The Elements of Language Curriculum. Boston: Heinle & Heinle
Publishers

Chan, D., Kaplan-Weinger, J., & Sandstrom, D. (1995). Journeys To Cultural

Understanding. Boston: Heinle & Heinle

Chomsky, N. (1974). Topics in the Theory of Generative Grammar. Oxford: Oxford

University Press

Dictionary of Contemporary English (2003), England: Pearson Education

 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

Harmer J. (2001). The Practice of English Language Teaching. NY:

Pearson Education

Morris, J., Carter, J. & Cisneros, V. (1967) American English Course One, Mexico:
Instituto Mexicano Norteamericano de Relaciones Culturales, A. C.

Nunan, X. Cited in Brown (2001). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to

Language Pedagogy. NY: Pearson Education

Richards, J.C. (2001). Curriculum Development in Language. England: Cambridge

University Press

Richards, J. C. & Lesly, T. (2001). New Interchange Intro Book: English for
International Communication. England: Cambridge University Press.

Scrivener, J. (1994). Learning teaching: A guidebook for English language teachers.

Whenever: Macmillan & Friends

Appendices

Appendix A

The CRTs. used to evaluate this study are on the teacher’s reference book.

New Interchange Intro Book

Teacher’s Edition

Test 1 Units 1-4 pages: T-159, T-160, T-161, T-162

Test 2 Units 5-8 pages: T-163, T-164, T-165, T-166
Test 3 Units 9-12 pages: T-167, T-168, T-169, T-170
Test 4 Units 13-16 pages: T-171, T-172, T-173, T-174

Appendix B
Learning Journal

You are going to write a learning journal in Spanish, your comments after the
each of the exams. Please write about the course, your feelings. Mention how you liked
 MA. GRACIELA GONZALEZ CRISTO
B.A. in English Language.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Tampico, Tam., Mexico.
Teacher Research Workshop III
Professor: Dr. Ruth Roux Rodriguez
March 14th , 2005

or disliked it, and about your improvement in the academic competence as well as in
each of the following skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is important to
cite your opinion regarding to method, exercises, teacher’s development in class, how
they feel the class working without a textbook, its difficultness, if the class is boring, or
not and why. Regarding to academic development they will give their general
improvement, as well as in their skills. You are going to hand them in every four
lessons or before, at any stage of the course when it is required. Your comments will
help to choose the type of modifications needed to make the class more attractive and
appealing.
You can guide your writing using this outline.

 The Method
 Dynamism
 Difficultness
 Effectiveness
 academic improvement
 Listening
 Speaking
 Reading
 Writing