On the Evaluation of Master of Arts Program in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at Ilam University

Abstract

Evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of a working program is usually made to determine its degree of success. Reviewing a large number of evaluation models, Stufflebeam's CIPP model (2002) was adopted as the theoretical framework to examine the current program for Master of Arts in TEFL at Ilam University. The participants of the study included 36 graduates of the given major from 2006 to 2012. The data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS.16). The findings revealed that most of the graduates believed that the current program was not as effective and efficient as it was expected and their actual needs were somehow ignored. They suggested that the administrators employ more proficient teachers, apply more practical courses and revise the educational objectives. Hence, the curriculum developers and faculty members are required to take the findings of the present research into account to make the essential revisions and modifications for future decision-makingin order to meet the students' needs and concerns.