An action research study, which was classroom-based and teacher-initiated, was undertaken. Action research is a
process of study done by systematically collecting data on one’s everyday practice and analyzing it in order to come to
some conclusions about what future practice should be. It involves a self-reflective cycle of identifying a situation or
problem, planning a change, acting and observing the processes and consequences, and then re-planning, and so forth
(Figure 1). It offers a valuable opportunity for teachers to be involved in the research to collect first-hand information
(McNiff, 1993; Atweb, Kemmis & Weeks, 1998). Action research was applied in this study because it enabled the
teacher researcher of this project to follow the steps in the spiral that helped her reflect upon her teaching and improve
her pupils’ situation. She intended to see if the plan would work well or if any necessary modification or amendment
would be needed to improve her pupils’ language learning.