A research approach to investigating curricular innovation - International Journal of Pedagogies & Learning

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A research approach to investigating curricular innovation: Negotiating the stakeholders and gatekeepers of Korean English language teaching

Michel N Trottier
Department of English Education/TESOL, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea

PP: 43 - 58

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of framing educational research around the politics of curricular innovation in South Korea.

The innovation in question concerns the reconstruction of traditional classroom-based English as a foreign language in the form of more communicative, experiential programs. In response to the urgent need for more alternative sources of quality English immersion, so-called 'English villages' have articulated a bold new approach. At the same time, however, the combination of media hype and political controversy surrounding English villages has effectively blurred their mandate, leading many to question their overall legitimacy.

Markee (2002) states that all innovation is risky, and that curricular reform is bound to be political and controversial. Thus, for a graduate student in the initial design stages of doctoral research, the task of trying to distinguish legitimate curricular innovation from the 'business of English' (Finch & Shin 2005) in Korea means having to anticipate the interests of multiple and sometimes competing stakeholders. Accordingly, this paper explores the challenges and opportunities of planning my doctoral research around the more controversial (political and ethical) aspects of curricular innovation.

Keywords

curricular innovation, educational research, EFL, doctoral research, curricular reform

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