Challenges in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Ecuador: A PRISMA Systematic Review

FACTORS IMPACTING ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) TEACHING IN VICTORIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This article discusses the major challenges in the implementation of English as an Additional Language (EAL) education in secondary schools across Victoria, Australia. The background of this study is based on the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity among students, which requires the education system to provide effective and inclusive language learning services. The focus of the study is directed toward various obstacles in the implementation of EAL programs, including students’ low English proficiency, limited resources, insufficient language pedagogy competence among non-specialist teachers, and inconsistencies in educational policies and funding. This study employs a literature review method by analysing various scientific sources, academic articles, and policy documents related to EAL education in Victorian secondary schools. The research stages include literature collection, selection of relevant sources, content analysis, and synthesis of findings to identify challenges and effective strategies in EAL learning. The findings indicate that the success of EAL programs is influenced by consistent policy support, improved teacher competence, inclusive curriculum access, and learning strategies that are responsive to student diversity. The conclusion of this study emphasizes that strengthening institutional support, enhancing teachers’ professional development, and providing adequate resources are essential to improving language proficiency and academic outcomes for EAL students in secondary schools. ABSTRAK Artikel ini membahas tantangan utama dalam penyelenggaraan pendidikan English as an Additional Language (EAL) di sekolah menengah wilayah Victoria, Australia. Latar belakang penelitian ini didasarkan pada meningkatnya keberagaman budaya dan bahasa siswa yang menuntut sistem pendidikan menyediakan layanan pembelajaran bahasa yang efektif dan inklusif. Fokus kajian diarahkan pada berbagai kendala dalam pelaksanaan program EAL, seperti rendahnya kemampuan bahasa Inggris siswa, keterbatasan sumber daya, kurangnya kompetensi pedagogi bahasa pada guru nonspesialis, serta ketidakkonsistenan kebijakan dan pendanaan pendidikan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kajian literatur (literature review) dengan menganalisis berbagai sumber ilmiah, artikel akademik, dan dokumen kebijakan terkait pendidikan EAL di sekolah menengah Victoria. Tahapan penelitian meliputi pengumpulan literatur, seleksi sumber yang relevan, analisis isi, serta sintesis temuan untuk mengidentifikasi tantangan dan strategi efektif dalam pembelajaran EAL. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa keberhasilan program EAL dipengaruhi oleh dukungan kebijakan yang konsisten, peningkatan kompetensi guru, akses kurikulum yang inklusif, serta strategi pembelajaran yang responsif terhadap keberagaman siswa. Simpulan penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa penguatan dukungan institusi, pengembangan profesional guru, dan penyediaan sumber daya yang memadai sangat penting untuk meningkatkan kemampuan bahasa dan hasil akademik siswa EAL di sekolah menengah.

Pedagogy: Journal of English Language Teaching

ENGLISH-MEDIUM INSTRUCTION IN ASIAN EFL HIGHER EDUCATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF POLICY TRENDS, IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES, AND ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES

The expansion of English Medium Instruction (EMI) across Asian higher education has intensified post-pandemic, yet a comprehensive understanding of its implementation landscape remains limited. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review synthesizes 15 empirical studies (2015–2025) from four academic databases to explore implementation trends, stakeholder challenges, and adaptation strategies in Asian EFL contexts. Frequency analysis revealed that linguistic difficulties were a primary barrier in 87% of the studies, pedagogical inconsistency in 60%, and language anxiety affected 53% of the combined participants. Thematic synthesis identified three core dimensions: top-down policies generating macro-micro gaps and institutional stratification; multidimensional linguistic and psychological barriers impacting engagement; and emergent adaptive strategies, including translanguaging, bilingual professional learning communities, and learner metacognition. These findings highlight that EMI is a complex educational ecosystem rather than a mere linguistic shift. This review offers a structured, geographically scoped framework for policymakers, institutions, and future researchers to improve EMI quality and equity in the region.

Teaching of English as a Second Language in Zambian Secondary Schools: Challenges and Suggested Solutions

The objectives of this research were to identify the challenges of teaching English as a Second Language in Zambian Secondary Schools and offer some practical suggestions for improvements. To achieve its objectives, this paper adopted a desk review approach. Data was gathered from published reports, online materials, articles, thesis and dissertations. Thereafter, it was reviewed, analyzed and synthesized so as to gain insights on challenges and solutions to ESL teaching. The findings indicated poor learner performance in national examinations, low English Language proficiency among learners, inadequate teaching and learning materials, overcrowded classrooms, limited teacher training for multilingual education, language policy implementation challenges, low learner classroom participation, low learner confidence in English, poor learner attendance to classes, limited parental support and insufficient use of communicative teaching approaches. Despite all these challenges, this research provided the following suggestions for improving ESL teaching: reflective teaching, inductions, home-school collaborations, recognizing cultural and linguistic diversity in classrooms, giving explicit leaner objectives and giving multiple specific instructional strategies. This paper recommended thorough examination of the following factors before selection and application of a given suggestion: availability of resources, time, teacher qualification, teacher experiences, teacher motivation, learner motivation and teacher-learner cultural background.

English Language Learning Strategies among ESL Students in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) investigates English Language Learning Strategies (LLS) employed by ESL students within the Malaysian educational context, particularly focusing the period of 2018 to 2024 after the implementation of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Guided by PRISMA protocols, seven empirical studies were selected from Scopus and Web of Sciences databases based on meticulous inclusion and exclusion criteria. It was found that metacognitive strategies such as planning, monitoring and evaluating were the most widely used and effective across various education levels, followed by cognitive and socio-affective strategies. It had also revealed that university students were the most frequently studied population, leaving a research gap in primary, secondary and vocational education settings. The review underscored the need for more diversified research to inform pedagogical innovation and enhance teacher training programs to fit the students’ strategic learning needs. The review contributed to a clearer understanding of how LLS facilitate English proficiency among Malaysian ESL learners.   

Mother Tongue–Based Multilingual Education in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review of Implementation, Challenges, and Learning Outcomes

Mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) is generally considered as an important means of achieving equitable learning, linguistic rights and cognitive development in multilingual societies. Even in Bangladesh, although the constitutionally guaranteed linguistic justice is unevenly and under-studied in Bangladesh. The paper conducts a systematic review of published empirical studies, policy documents, and program reports (between the year 2000 and 2024) based on the PRISMA requirements. Results indicate beneficial impact of the program on early literacy, classroom activity and retention especially among ethno linguistic minority students. Nevertheless, the little training of teachers, insufficiency of resources, poor policy implementation, and institutional co-ordination are limiting factors to progress. Large discrepancies continue to exist between the objectives of the policies and the classroom implementation, and additional studies and reformation are necessary. Mother Language, 2026; 10(1): 217-240