Students` Perspectives on the Use of Innovative and Interactive Teaching Methods at the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya, Mauritania: English Department as a Case Study

Abstract

This study was carried to inspect students` views on the use of innovative and interactive teaching methods used in the English studies major at the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya, Mauritania. This was a corollary of the fact that innovation in teaching, regardless the nature of the course or subject, has become a buzz word in the academic institutions. A quantitative research methodology was used and the data were collected from 101 students from the English Department. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS as an attempt to provide descriptive statistics to verify the students` perception of the use of innovative and interactive teaching methods. The findings of the study revealed that 91.1% of the students believe that their teachers do use some of the innovative and interactive teaching methods in their classes; still, 70.3% of the respondents were in favor of continuous trainings for teachers on the use of innovative and interactive teaching methods, which is a very alarming percentage. Also, the findings of this study have some significant implications such as the necessity to move from teaching to learning as an attempt to make learning an enjoyable and memorable experience.  The results of this study contribute to literature by concentrating on the use of innovative and interactive teaching methods in Mauritanian higher education institutes.   Keywords: Innovative, Interactive, Teaching Methods, Students, Higher Education, Mauritania