EFL instructors' beliefs and practices about oral corrective feedback

Until recently, teachers have been viewed as active decision-makers who have their own unique teaching styles rather than individuals who implement what is suggested by language teaching researchers and theories. A number of studies claim that teachers are affected by their beliefs during implementations of their practices (Pajares, 1992; Johnson, 1992). However, this view has been challenged over the last two decades and researchers suggest that there can be mismatches between teachers' beliefs and practices (Baştürkmen, Loewen & Ellis, 2004). This study reports on a qualitative case study which aimed to identify the reasons for mismatches (if any) between three EFL (English as a Foreign Language) instructors' beliefs and practices with respect to their OCF (Oral Corrective Feedback) use. Three EFL instructors working at the School of Foreign Languages in a state university were selected to identify their beliefs about OCF through pre-lesson semi-structured interviews. The questions were about the OCF types that they most frequently used and believed remarkably effective, their preferred timing of OCF and avoidance of OCF. Four hours of video-recording of their lessons were made to observe their OCF practices, followed by semi-structured Stimulated Recall Interviews to justify (in)consistency between beliefs and actual classroom practices. The interviews were subjected to content analysis. The findings of the study revealed that there were discrepancies between instructors' beliefs and practices concerning OCF. The study recommended that instructors evaluate their own OCF decisions and practices. Keywords: Oral Corrective Feedback, Beliefs, In-class Practices. EFL Instru