Future Teachers in Action: Undergraduate Students Share Their Research

Have you ever wondered when innovations in education work? 🤔

The answer lies in teacher ownership - Innovations thrive only when teachers unite and embrace them willingly. In other words, successful educational change is often bottom-up, initiated by teachers themselves.

In 2024-2025, a group of teacher educators from Namangan State University and Namangan Foreign Languages Institute and I came up with the idea of introducing undergraduate students to exploratory action research (EAR). As Richard Smith and Paula Rebolledo explain, EAR enables teachers to "gain a greater understanding of issues in their classrooms", "to explore and solve classroom problems for themselves", and develop solutions based on "practical experience, not literature". 

Why Should Future Teachers Learn EAR? 👀

Exploratory Action Research equips future teachers with essential skills for professional growth. It helps them

• build their confidence in teaching abilities, 
• feel empowered to experiment and refine teaching practices,
• develop critical reflection and problem-solving skills - must-have traits of modern, resilient teachers.  

On 29-30 March 2025, 26 students from Namangan Foreign Languages Institute and 4 students from Namangan State University presented their EAR projects in Teachers Research! 2025 online conference. Below, you can find their names and presentations (along with the links to their poster presentations):

Mentored by the teacher educator Albina Tadjibaeva: 

1. Durdona Olimova - Eyes on Me! How to get high school studentsʼ attention!
2. Oltinoy Rustamova - Talk the Talk: Encourage students to speak more English in group discussions

Mentored by the teacher educators Umida Khakimova, Dildora Sheralieva, Muazzam Boboyeva, and Rushana Inoyatova: 

3. Biltiraliyeva Nozima - ‘Let's not work in groups, teacher!’
4. Lobaroy Shuhratova - Why do my students hate homework?
5. Mashhura Hamdamova - ‘When I ask them questions, they don`t want to answer!’
6. Diyora Abdurahmatova - How can my students learn and remember new words?
7. Gulruhbegim Mirzomiddinova - How to improve student engagement during lessons?
8. Shohsanam Joraboeva - Simple solutions to pronunciation problems
9. Muxtasar Ikromova - Why are my students struggling to speak English?
10. Nazira Abdujabborova - ‘ Speaking lesson again?!’

11. Xolida Umarova - How to teach grammar and vocabulary more effectively?
12. Gulbahor Qurbonaliyeva - Complex grammar topics: It is not the end of the world!

Mentored by the teacher educators  Dilafruz Sarimsakova, Dildora Umarova, Guzal Turaeva and Dildora Abdullaeva

13. Mavluda Jurayeva - Struggling to teach mixed-ability learners?!
14. Fazilatbonu Ubayxonova - Less Stress, More Success: Effective Time Management Strategies
15. Zuhra Boqiboyeva - Groupwork Trouble: Why My 5th Graders Struggle in Groups
16. Nafisa Shamryukova - Breaking the Silence: Boosting Primary School Students’ Participation in Class and Homework Checks
17. Madina Samijonova - Homework: Learning Tool or Just Extra Stress?
18. Mumtozbegim Muxiddinova - From Struggle to Success: Effective Techniques to Have Productive Lessons 

Mentored by the teacher educators  Majid Ayturaev and Elyanora Menglieva

19. Og’iloy Abdulboqiyeva - The impact of EAR on building my teacher confidence in the classroom
20. Munisa Xusanova - How to teach primary school students with effective interactive games?
21. Sevinch Tojiboyeva - Overcoming Teaching Challenges: How to Engage Schoolchildren More Effectively
22. Durdona Azimjanova - Why don’t students want to listen to their teacher while they are giving instructions?
23. Sevara Qamchibekova - Unlocking the Potential of Modern Gadgets in English Lessons
24. Ruhshona Odilbekova - Silent Mode: Why Students Avoid Speaking English?
25. Muattar Axmadjanova - How to teach pronunciation to primary students?
26. Muxlisa Abdulxamidova - How can we involve all students in doing their homework?
27. Shohsanam Solixonova - Engaging all students in the classroom activities
28. Rayhona Shavkatova - English class or Nap time? Why Students Tune Out Certain Activities
29. Mohlaroy Xusanxanova - From Passive to Active: The Secret to Getting Students to Listen

30. Zulfizar Ahmadaliyeva - Why won't they focus? Practical solutions for students' attention