Zachary Farouk Chai

Profile

Before embarking on my EdD journey, my professional path was rooted in the vibrant landscape of my hometown, Sabah, Malaysia. As a primary school teacher, I embarked my teaching career where I had the privilege of teaching English to Malaysian ESL learners aged seven to twelve. It was here that I developed my skills as an educator, fostering an environment where my pupils could not only grasp the complexities of the English language but also develop a deep passion for it.

My educational journey has been a testament to my academic and teaching excellence. I graduated with a First Class Honours degree from Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia in TESL. Building upon this foundation, I pursued a Master of Education (MEd) degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, specialising in TESL.

Today, my educational journey continues at the University of Leeds, where I am committed to further expanding my knowledge and skills in the field of English education funded by a full scholarship from the Ministry of Education Malaysia.

Research interests

My research interests revolve around the field of technology-enhanced language learning, with a specific focus on Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) within the Malaysian primary school context. My inspiration for this research pursuit stems from the impact of my experience implementing MALL with my pupils during the pandemic and post-pandemic period. My research endeavours aim to investigate the multifaceted aspects of MALL, with a particular interest in understanding teachers’ perceptions, teaching practices, benefits and challenges associated with its implementation. By researching these critical elements, I seek to not only uncover the benefits of MALL but also contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies and best practices that can enhance language learning experiences for both teachers and pupils.

In addition to this, my research extends to the pedagogy of teaching English to young learners. I am driven to explore the nuances of English Language Teaching (ELT) to young learners, with a special focus on vocabulary acquisition and reading skills. 

Qualifications

• MEd (TESL) - Universiti Malaysia Sabah
• BTeach with First Class Honours (TESL for Primary Education) - IPGM Malaysia

Research groups and institutes

• Centre for Language Education