English Language Teaching (ELT) Methods Used at the Aliya Madrasahs in Bangladesh: Urban-Rural Divide

Abstract

This study investigates the ELT methods used in Rural and Urban Aliya Madrasahs and evaluates the impact of those methods on the students' learning outcomes. The study used a triangulation method for collecting data: questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and observation. The researchers collected data from two Aliya madrasahs —one rural and one urban. Besides, two teachers and 120 students participated in the study, and two consecutive classes of the Madrasah in both areas were analyzed through the researchers’ observation. The study's findings revealed many differences in the Madrasah's English language teaching-learning process in both areas. Teachers in rural areas needed to be better qualified and more competent compared to urban teachers. Students in urban areas were very active and engaged in different group tasks to practice all four English language skills. In contrast, students from rural areas only received the lecture and practiced the reading and writing skills to pass the examination. The current study intends to enhance Madrasah education by identifying effective ELT methods to improve student learning outcomes.