A Critical Examination of the Beliefs about Learning a Foreign Language at Primary School

5.2.1 Collection of Data

It was decided that data should be co Iected through lesson observations,
interviews and questionnaires. The possibility of children keeping diaries was
considered but rejected as the case studies were to focus on young children
some of whom might have weak literacy skills.

Simply reporting classroom events and the way in which children respond or
behave does not necessarily provide much insight into what they might think
and feel. As Hammersley & Atkinson (1991) state, direct observation of an
action cannot fully explain the complex mechanisms behind it and it becomes
necessary to engage in communication with the observed to gain a better
understanding Oftheiractions (Guba & Lincoln,1981). Edge & Richards
emphasise the importance of 'voice' in educational research:

"The voice of the research population must somehow be heard, and it might
well be that the depth of an individual interpretation of an individual's voice will
be as much valued as breadth of widely gathered opinion."

(Edge & Richards, 1998: 348)

The concept of 'voice' is also emphasised by Sinclair-Taylor & Costley who
stress the importance of asking primary school children about the nature of their
learning experiences in determining curriculum policy:

"Only the children themselves can speak about their expeπences and
perceptions of the social and pedagogic aspects of schooling. Planning
educational provision responsively and effectively requires that we tap into
pupils' views." (Sinclair-Taylor & Costley, 1995: 20)

255

<<   252   253   254   255   256   257   258   >>

More intriguing information