Participant observation in language lessons – benefits and limitations
Anna Szuchalska
Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Wydział FilologicznyAbstract
Observation is a research method involving noting, collecting and interpreting data. The aim of the article is to present the benefits and limitations of using these methods in language lessons. In the introduction the author characterizes observation as a research method and briefly describes its main types. Next, the conditions of effective observation, i.e. purposefulness, schedule, selectivity, precision and impartiality, are presented. The main body of the article is devoted to participant (both public and disguised) observation in foreign (English) language lessons. Two studies making use of this research method are also described. In the summary, the advantages and disadvantages of this research method are listed.Keywords:
glottodidactics, participant observation, observation types, benefits, limitationsReferences
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