The Efficacy of Spiral Progression Approach in Teaching English among Grade 9 Students at Wenceslao Trinidad Memorial National High School: Basis for a Proposed Action Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The implementation of a spiral progression approach in an English classroom is more difficult than using the massed approach but researchers assumes that it is worth the effort to provide this generation of learners a quality education that guarantees knowledge, competencies, and interests in the development of their language fluency and proficiency.

METHODS

The researcher employed descriptive research design in this study to investigate the level of efficacy of the spiral progression approach in teaching English 9. It became necessary for the researcher to design self-made questionnaires to assess students' perceived efficacy level of spiral progression approach in their English 9 class and to determine the efficacy level of the approach as observed by immediate school heads observing English 9 classes. This research strategy also provided an opportunity for checking the accuracy of previously obtained information.

RESULTS

Findings revealed that students perceived the efficacy of the five key features of the spiral progression approach identified as Enduring Ideas, Authentic Contexts, Instruction, Assessments, and Pacing as "Effective" while receiving "Highly Effective" remarks from the observations of the School Heads. By normal standards, the association between the responses of the students and School Heads on the efficacy of spiral progression approach in teaching English among Grade 9 would not be considered statistically significant (rs=-0.066, p=0.78).

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the findings students perceive the approach to be Effective the teachers present materials in a sequence giving their students the opportunity to acquire and construct knowledge, and transform and transfer his learning. School heads, in their observations, positively note that the use of spiral progression approach is "Highly Effective" as teachers generally show that using the spiral progression approach ensures mastery of concepts and competencies where students gain more experiences and understanding through repetition of concepts as lessons enable students to connect discipline. The English Curriculum allows students to progress from the foundational level to higher levels of language use. To establish confidence on assessments and to ensure life-long learning among students, the researcher proposed an action plan strengthening the awareness on the use of spiral progression approach in the English Curriculum.