English Teachers' Roles from the Perspective of the Bhagavad Gita

Abstract

he present thesis entitled English Teachers' Roles from the Perspective of the Bhagavad Gita, was conducted to examine the roles of teachers as specified in the Bhagavad Gita and draw out pedagogical implications of the Bhagavad Gita in relation to English language teaching. To carry out this study, I adopted discourse analysis (DA) using a qualitative research approach. Only secondary data sources were used in this study. Thirtyfive shlokas from Bhagavad Gita were selected as the sample for the study using a nonrandompurposive sampling procedure.To collect data, observations were used as a tool, and reading, re-reading, underlining, and picking up the shlokas of Bhagavad Gita were used as data collection procedures. The obtained data were analyzed and interpreted systematically using a thematic approach based on Fairclough's model of discourse analysis (DA).The findings of the study showed that the roles of teachers as specified in the Bhagavad Gita are inculcating holistic approach to a problem, sthitaprajna, samatva yogi, swadharmi, lokasamgrahi, be a knowledge provider,illuminator, simplifier, motivator,choice provider,encouragement for query,a guide and role model. Additionally,it has been found that methods of teaching are conversational,question-answer, demonstration, contemporary methods(rational analysis with proper analysis), and learning-by-doing,and teaching strategies are guru-disciple relationship (good rapport building),experiential learning, storytelling and metaphors, dialogue and discussion, and self-reflection and self-discovery which can be implemented for English teacher professional development.

This thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter introduces the study, which consists of the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, significance of the study, delimitations of the study, and operational definitions of key terms. The second chapter presents a review of the related theoretical literature, empirical literature, implications of the review, and the conceptual framework of the study. The third chapter deals with the methods and procedures of the study, which includes the design and methods of the study, population, sample and sampling procedure, primary and secondary sources of data, data collection tools and techniques, data collection procedures, data analysis and interpretation procedures, and ethical considerations. The fourth chapter provides an analysis and interpretation of the results. Finally, the fifth chapter presents the findings, conclusions and implications at different levels and further followed by the references and appendices.