Bennama Nour El Houda

Profile

My Educational Background

I am a full-time postgraduate researcher at the University of Leeds, doing my PhD at the School of Education. Before embarking in my PhD journey, I was enrolled in a PhD preparatory program at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). My experience at CCCU was an opportunity to improve both my language and research skills, and broaden my knowledge in the field of my interest. Before joining college life, I passed my Baccalaureate exam with flying colours. I have always been interested in learning foreign languages, such as French (since primary school), Spanish (in high school), and English (since middle school). I am now very interested in learning Turkish language (self-learning). I have a Bachelor degree in English Language, Literature, and Civilization, and a Masters degree in the area of Didactics of Foreign Languages and Cultures. My MA dissertation aimed at investigating the attainment of the educational objectives of Bloom's Taxonomy through collaborative learning in higher education. My BA and MA degrees were awarded by ‘Abbes Laghrour’ University of Khenchela in Algeria. My current PhD project is sponsored by the Algerian Government under the direction of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The Focus of my Research

My research aims to explore school provision for EFL pupils who have/might be at-risk for ADHD in inclusive education in the Algerian context. I aim to look at the issue from the perspectives of EFL teachers by looking at 1) their knowledge and understanding of ADHD and its identification in the Algerian context, 2) their perspectives of the difficulties that pupils at-risk for ADHD encounter in EFL learning, and 3) their experiences assisting pupils with their EFL learning through classroom activities and practices. Following a qualitative-based approach, my research also aims to explore factors affecting pupils' learning potentials in the EFL classroom along with teachers' inclusive challenges, needs, and recommendations for a better support to be provided to pupils with/at-risk for ADHD in inclusive education.  

What makes me interested in this research area and topic?  

My interest in the area of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Second Language Acquisition (SLA) stems from myself as a foreign language learner. I had a negative experience with stammering in primary and middle schools during which I did not receive any support from teachers or schools. The lack of school provision contributed to the exacerbation of my condition at that time and affected both my self-esteem and speaking abilities, especially in foreign language classes. My current PhD research does not focus on stammering. However, my personal experience helped inform the focus of my research on the importance of school provision for pupils with special needs and learning difficulties to effectively learn foreign languages. My interest in ADHD started with a discussion I had with my MA supervisor about attention difficulties among undergraduate students. My experience at CCCU was an opportunity for me to dive in this research area and come across the concept of ADHD. Reading about ADHD as a widespread heterogenous disorder was very interesting. Therefore, in an opportunity to present and discuss an article in a seminar led by Dr Diana Freeman at CCCU, my choice was an article entitled ‘Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the EFL Classroom: A Case Study’ by Villalobos (2011). This article presents the final incentive to conduct my PhD research on ADHD.       

Personal interests

In my free time, I enjoy cooking and watching series (English/Turkish). I like to go walking/travelling with my husband and take photographs whenever we have time. I like gaming as well, but I rarely do. I am into baking and puzzling! I enjoy going to the gym whenever possible. Interacting with nature and animals makes me feel better and happier. Music is an indispensable part of my daily routine. I am interested in Turkish language and culture.  

Research interests

• Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Inclusive Education
• Qualitative Research Methods

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate Degree in Literature and Foreign Languages
• BA Degree in English Language, Literature and Civilization
• MA Degree in Didactics of Foreign Languages and Cultures