An analysis of the End-of-course Evaluation Forms submitted by
teacher-participants after the completion of the Language and Literacy:
Classroom Applications of Functional Grammar course 2008/2009
All project school participants were asked to fill in an evaluation form after they had
completed the course and the following is an analysis of their comments.
Course content
Two-thirds of the respondents made favourable comments concerning the course
content. 33.7% of them found it well organised and comprehensive, covering all the
important aspects of functional grammar. 20% thought that the content was ‘useful’
as well as ‘very relevant’ to their teaching, as the participants were given the
opportunity to ‘acquire and consolidate some of the very fundamental concepts in the
teaching and learning of language’. Some other respondents (14.8%) were
impressed with the innovative approach which is ‘insightful’, ‘inspiring’ and
‘thought-provoking’.
Those who gave less favourable replies (13.5%) claimed that they had difficulty in
understanding as they thought that the content was rather complicated and abstract.
They added that they were not confident to use the new approach in class and were
afraid that it might cause confusion. Another 13.5% of the respondents held that the
content was too theoretical and hoped that more practical examples for
implementation in the classroom could be included.
Course materials
60% of the respondents commented that the materials were informative and useful.
They were well organised and supplemented with reference readings to consolidate
learning. Examples given were clear and authentic, which helped illustrate different
aspects of language.
16.9% of the respondents felt differently. They were of the opinion that the
materials were too difficult and technical. They preferred a more simplified version
with simpler examples. Some other respondents (9.2%) hoped to see more practical
ideas on classroom applications, perhaps including some lesson plans with handy
teaching materials. Apart from 4.6% of the participants who did not respond to this
question, the remaining group of respondents (9.3%) was not pleased with the
Australian context and the abundance of reading materials.
Workshop delivery
Though a few respondents (4.6%) made no comments on the delivery skills, 15.6% of
them thought the tutors excellent. 70.3% were impressed with the tutors’ good work
as the workshops were delivered effectively with lectures accompanied by
PowerPoint presentations, group discussions and sharing sessions. A few of them
also mentioned that they could learn from the tutors as their presentation techniques
would be useful in engaging their students in the classroom. In spite of the
favourable responses made by over 80% of the respondents, a few of them (9.3%)
held that they needed more interaction with the tutors to gain a better understanding of
all the concepts.
Concerning the facilities, 34.9% of the respondents had no comment. 53.9% of them
thought that they were good, 6.3% suggested that the equipment should be improved
and the remaining 4.7% hoped that refreshments could be provided during break time.
Strategies participants intend to use
Apart from 4.5% of the participants who made no response and 12.1% of them
expressed that they would resort to traditional ways of teaching language, all the other
participants have expressed intention to use the strategies learnt on the course in one
way or another. They are listed below with a breakdown in percentages.





Introducing different genres and their schematic structures
27.2%
Identifying participants, processes and circumstances
An integration of all the strategies learnt
The Teaching and Learning Cycle
Nominalisation
22.7%
19.6%
9%
4.5%
Other comments
Among the ‘Any other comments’, 59% of the respondents gave no response.
18%
of them were grateful to their tutors for such an enjoyable experience and 9%
reiterated the usefulness of the course including the added advantage of gaining an
enhanced collaboration among colleagues. Presumably because of the ever-increasing
workload on the teachers’ part, about one-tenth of them found the course too long and
tiring and suggested that workshops should not be held after school. The remaining
few were worried about actual implementation in the classroom.
Quotable quotes
 ‘Very relevant to teaching English.’

‘I can use it in my subject.’ (from an Economics teacher)

‘Constructive. Helps to develop understanding of how language is applied in
different contexts and an understanding of the features of the classroom.’
‘It is a useful and practical course for teachers’ professional development.’
‘Very inspiring and provides me with a new perspective to look at grammar. I
believe the new concepts and strategies suggested can improve students’
language proficiency.’

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