Issue 09

EXAMINING THE BELIEF CHANGE OF LIBYAN TEACHERS

Abstract... Recent research has made a significant contribution to the exploration of teachers` beliefs and the relationship between teachers` beliefs and practices. This paper reports on a study in which I investigated the beliefs about English Language Teaching of ten experienced Libyan teachers of English who were engaged in MA and PhD studies abroad. Diaries and interviews were used in the data collection. Two aspects of their beliefs were examined: whether, and how, their beliefs changed as a result of studying abroad, and the sources of these beliefs. In this study, it was found that while some of the teachers` previously held beliefs changed and others remained the same, in every case awareness of alternative beliefs had been raised. In addition, the results also showed that the beliefs held by this group of Libyan teachers were derived from a variety of sources, and had been influenced by more than one source, with consequent effects on their teaching perceptions and practices.