Semi-Structured Interview Schedule

Teaching our Boys the Write Way: Exploring the Pedagogical Experiences, Perspectives
and Practices of Language Educators at an All-Boys School in Urban
Jamaica

Time: 3:10 m

Place: Teachers Lounge

Interviewer: Mrs. Shawna Kay Williams-Pinnock

Interviewee: Mrs. Whyte*

Position of Interviewee: Teacher of English at Boswell High School

Description of Project: Based on my letter outlining the purpose and procedure of this research,
you would have likely noted that I am interested in exploring and describing your experiences,
perspectives and practices in relation to teaching boys how to write. You were selected to
participate in this study because, according to your Principal and Head of Department, you have
been teaching here for several years, and you currently have a mixed-ability group of boys
preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Council (CSEC) English A, an examination that has often
tested students writing skills.

Ethical Considerations: During the course of this interview, if there is any question that you are
uncomfortable answering, you can kindly indicate so. Please note that the information gathered
during this interview will not be used published or otherwise shared outside this immediate
assignment. Your identity and that of your school will remain private as pseudonyms will be
used in the course of reporting this investigation. If you have any questions requiring further
clarification, you may do so at any point during the interview.

To ensure that your ideas are true to expression, I am kindly requesting your permission to
audiotape this interview. If you agree, you will be shown the transcription of the interview so
you can verify that your statements are authentically and accurately represented. The recording
will not be used outside the ambit of this study. So, how do you feel about being audio-recorded?

This interview should not exceed thirty minutes. However, if, for any reason, you may wish to
discontinue or reschedule for a later resumption, you are at liberty to do so. No consequence will
be applied and your relationship with this institution will not be affected.
 Central Questions

1. How would you describe your teaching experience here as a language educator?
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2. How would you describe your boys attitude towards writing?
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3. What do you think accounts for the attitudes towards writing that you have described?
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4. How would you describe the writings they produce?

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5. What do you think accounts for how they express themselves in writing?
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6. What do you perceive as your role and responsibility in the writing classroom?
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7. How do you teach writing?

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8. How do you assess your students writing skills after you have taught?
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9. How do you evaluate their written compositions?
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10. How do you respond to their writing after your evaluation?

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Thank you so very much for making the time to discuss your experiences, perspectives and

practices in relation to teaching boys how to write. Best wishes!

END OF INTERVIEW