Terry Fellner (Saga University)

This talk will discuss some practices in EFL that, while enjoying some popularity, may have little or no scientific evidence to support their use. The presentation begins by defining what is meant by the term “pseudo-science” and then looks at some areas in EFL that either are pseudo-science or alarmingly close to being pseudo-science. Specifically, the presenter will examine the use of neuro-linguistic programming, the teaching of TOEIC strategies, the benefits of teaching skimming & scanning skills, the concept of multiple intelligences, the truth about learning styles and preferences, as well as looking at the left-brain vs. right-brain false dichotomy. The presenter will discuss possible reasons why these practices continue to exist and why it is often difficult to get “evidence-based” results in EFL contexts.
Terry Fellner is Associate Professor at the Center for General Education at Saga University. He has been a teacher, teacher trainer, researcher, for more than 20 years in Africa, Canada, and Japan. Currently he is the section editor of @CUE in The OnCUE Journal a his research interests include motivation, vocabulary acquisition, outdoor language learning and L2 reading.