Computer-based image elicitation technique for exploring students’ implicit concepts of an ideal English teacher

Abstract

Purpose This article presents an account of a qualitative pilot study which evaluated computer-based image elicitation as an innovative technique for exploring students’ implicit concepts of an ideal English teacher in relation to the native speaker fallacy, the belief that ideal English teachers are native speakers of English. Design/methodology/approach Two types of analysis were conducted in the study: method and data quality analysis. Findings While interviews alone can inquire into the research problem, the results of this study indicate that the technique is practical and able to generate rich image and textual data, supplementing data from interviews. Based on the results, it is argued that computer-based image elicitation can potentially be used as a viable technique for investigating the problematic issue of the strong preference for native English teachers in the field of English language teaching, particularly its racial aspect. Research limitations/implications This pilot study gives methodological insights to researchers who aim to investigate relevant issues. Originality/value In relation to the issue, there has been no previous research employing visual methods in its inquiry.