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 began my teaching career with the privilege of teaching English to Malaysian ESL learners aged seven to twelve. It was here that I enhanced my skills as an educator in helping my pupils 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 in TESL at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. 

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 (TELL) with a specific focus on Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) within the Malaysian primary school context. I have been inspired by my experiences implementing MALL with my pupils during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods. These experiences highlight both the potential and challenges of integrating mobile technologies in teaching English to young learners.

My EdD research aims to study the multifaceted aspects of MALL which focuses on teachers' cognition and their interplay with MALL practices. Specifically, I seek to understand how constructs such as schooling, in-service professional training and various contextual factors influence teachers’ cognition and practices. Additionally, I aim to investigate the interrelationship between teachers’ cognition and the actual practices of MALL in the classroom. By exploring these aspects associated with MALL, I aim to uncover insights that can lead to the development of evidence-based strategies and best practices. As an EdD student, my goal is to contribute to the broader field of TELL based on my own experiences and research to make a meaningful impact in educational practices.

In addition to this, my research extends to the pedagogy of teaching English to young learners. I am passionate 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