Investigating the Challenges Faced by Kurdish EFL Teachers in Teaching English Listening and Speaking Skills at Public Universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Since English is a global language, learning to speak this language results in better education opportunities and more employment chances. Therefore, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has greatly expanded around the world and it has become a crucial part of the higher education curriculum at the public universities in Kurdistan of Iraq as well. Regardless of the significant advancement in technology and the expansion in teaching strategies, there are still challenges that are faced by EFL teachers when it comes to teaching English. This is especially true for teaching listening and speaking skills, since it requires a supportive context and provided facilities. Hence, this study attempts to investigate the challenges that Kurdish EFL teachers face in teaching English listening and speaking skills at the public universities in Iraqi Kurdistan and suggest some ways in which these can be dealt with. To achieve these aims, I have chosen to conduct this study as a case study in the qualitative paradigm, using a questionnaire for the data collection. The questionnaire was answered by 10 Kurdish EFL teachers who teach English language skills at different public universities across the region. The collected data was analysed in a thematic approach by means of coding. As it appears from the findings, the Kurdish EFL teachers have faced some common challenges, such as: lack of tech-facilities, large- and mixed level classes and limited class time, and have also suggested some ways for dealing with them.