10.57647/JNTELL.2025.0403.15

Fishbowl Technique in Action: Fostering Engagement and Self-Regulated Learning of Intermediate EFL Learners

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  • Bilal Ali Burhan Burhan1,
  • Elahe Sadeghi-Barzani*1,
  • Mansour Kadhim Hejal2,
  • Fatemeh Karimi1,
  1. Department of English, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
  2. College of Education, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq

Received: 2025-03-08

Revised: 2025-05-10

Accepted: 2025-09-06

Published in Issue 2025-10-19

Copyright (c) 2025 Bilal Ali Burhan, Elahe Sadeghi-Barzani, Mansour Kadhim Hejal, Fatemeh Karimi (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ali Burhan Burhan, B., Sadeghi-Barzani, E., Kadhim Hejal, M. ., & Karimi, F. (2025). Fishbowl Technique in Action: Fostering Engagement and Self-Regulated Learning of Intermediate EFL Learners. Journal of New Trends in English Language Learning (JNTELL), 4(3). https://doi.org/10.57647/JNTELL.2025.0403.15
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Abstract

The Fishbowl technique allows for active engagement and participation among students, creating opportunities for idea-sharing. This study investigated whether the Fishbowl technique enhanced classroom engagement and fostered self-regulated learning among intermediate Iraqi EFL learners. For this purpose, 60 intermediate EFL learners were randomly selected and received 11 sessions of Fishbowl technique training. The data were collected by the Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT), The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), and the Students’ Engagement Questionnaire. The participants were homogenized by OQPT, and both questionnaires were administered before and after the implementation of the Fishbowl technique in the classroom. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings indicated that the implementation of the Fishbowl technique in the classroom revealed its beneficial effects on both students’ engagement in the classroom and the enhanced self-regulated learning potentials of the participants. In general, this study demonstrated the efficacy of the Fishbowl technique in enhancing classroom engagement and promoting self-regulated learning among intermediate Iraqi EFL learners.

Keywords

  • Fishbowl technique,
  • Classroom engagement,
  • Self-regulated learning,
  • EFL learners
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