The Correspondence Between Beliefs and Practices of an EFL Teacher Regarding L2 Grammar Teaching

Abstract

This paper presents a case study that explored and compared the stated pedagogical beliefs and classroom practices of Suna, an experienced EFL teacher, with regard to L2 grammar teaching at a preparatory school of a university in Turkey. A qualitative analysis of the data collected through classroom observations, interviews, and reflective notes indicated the key features of Suna’s classroom practices and her pedagogical beliefs regarding L2 grammar teaching as well as the correspondence between them. The findings of the study revealed that Suna exhibited, to a great extent, congruence between her stated beliefs and her observed classroom practices regarding L2 grammar teaching. The findings also lend support to the existing literature that highlights the role of contextual factors in mediating the relationship between teacher beliefs and classroom practices such as learner expectations and needs, exams and time constraints.