Differentiated instruction in foreign language teaching Exploring teachers' perceptions and practices in the FWB

Details

Supervisors

Meunier, Fanny

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en langues et lettres modernes, orientation germaniques, à finalité didactique

Abstract

In all classroom there exists a certain degree of heterogeneity, however minimal it may be. Students come to classrooms with unique differences as people and, therefore, as learners. Differentiated instruction is put forward as an effective method for addressing this diversity and maximising the potential of every student. This pedagogical practice not only enhances learning outcomes but also makes learning more meaningful and motivating. The merits of this teaching method are unquestionable, however, there is paucity of research bridging the gap between the theoretical effectiveness of differentiated instruction and its practical implementation. There is also little research on differentiation among foreign language learners of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB). This master thesis thus aims to investigate the perceptions and practices of foreign language teachers of the FWB. The study also seeks to identify the underlying motivations and challenges influencing teachers' adoption or non-adoption of this method. The final aim will be to develop a checklist, serving as a practical tool for teachers to assess and, if necessary, adapt their current practices. This exploratory research will adopt a mixed-method approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative elements. Quantitative data will be collected via an online questionnaire sent to a purposeful sample of pre-service and in-service foreign language teachers. Qualitative data will be gathered through semi-structured interviews, providing deeper insights into the topic. In consideration of this research’s conditions, this thesis can be particularly useful for teachers who may feel uncertain about implementing differentiated instruction and seek guidance, as the checklist will highlight straightforward, actionable steps to enhance their teaching effectiveness.