English in the public schools in Libya
is first taught for the learners in the fifth year
of schooling when the students’ age is about
11 years. During the first 2 years, that is in
5th and 6th year of primary schooling,
students study the alphabet of English,
reading, spelling, and elementary writing.
They are also introduced some grammatical
terminology, categories and relations such
as- nouns, verbs, conjunctions, prepositions,
simple past tense, present tense, plural and
singular etc. It is expected that the Libyan
EFL teachers in schools use techniques and
methods which involve learners and
motivate them to learn English. However,
the reality seems to be quite opposite. Most
of the teachers rely heavily on traditional
grammar-translational method where
everything is literally translated and students
are supposed to memorize numerous
grammar rules and structures. The teacher
controls almost all the activities in the class
and hardly any activity is introduced and
encouraged which involves learners and
stimulates and challenges their creativity.
One of the reasons, for this, can be the fact
that most of the teachers prefer to teach the
way they themselves were taught- just
presenting set of rules and dozens of
examples and exercises without much focus
on inserting any sort of fun/amusement
while teaching.