Current Challenges in English Language Learning in Turkish EFL Context
The purpose of this study was to investigate the current challenges in English language learning and teaching in Turkey from high and low achievers’ perspective. The study was qualitative in nature and the participants of the study were twenty-two students attending at various departments of a state university in Turkey. In this study, the question of “what were the challenges that you had while learning English?” was asked to each participant and their responses were classified in terms of overall ideas, language skills, method, approach, practice, linguistic differences in two languages, personal differences, teacher, material, family and environment. The results of the study suggest that the objectives of English course should be realistic and be considered as a whole from primary education to higher education. Teaching and improving four language skills are supposed to be the focus of attention rather than grammar-centred language teaching. English courses should be designed as practice-based rather than theory-based. In addition, foreign language teachers should take into consideration the individual differences, learner characteristics and plan the activities in this regard. Foreign language teachers should take inservice training and update their professionalism from time to time. Finally, the materials such as course books, videos, and internet web sites should be chosen carefully according to the students’ interest, level and needs.
Keywords:
foreign language education in Turkey challenges in language learning, language learning difficulties,
___
- Akalın, S. & Zengin, B. (2007). Türkiye’de halkın yabancı dil ile ilgili algıları. [The Attitude of People towards Foreign Language in Turkey]. Journal of Language and Linguistics Studies, 3(1), 181-200.
- Akbaba-Altun, S. (2006). Complexity of integrating computer technologies into education in Turkey. Educational Technology & Society, 9 (1), 176-187.
- Aydin, S. (2013) Teachers' perceptions about the use of computers in EFL teaching and learning: the case of Turkey, Computer Assisted Language Learning, 26:3, 214-233.
- Aydın, S. & Zengin, B. (2008). Yabancı dil eğitiminde kaygı: bir literatür özeti. [The Anxiety in Foreign Language Education: A literature review]. The Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 4 (1), 81 – 94.
- Buyukyavuz O. & Inal S (2008). A descriptive study on Turkish teachers of English regarding their professional needs, efforts for development and avail-able resources. The Asian EFL Journal, 10: 215-234.
- Çelebi, D. (2006). Turkıye’de anadili egitimi ve yabancı dil ogretimi. [The Mother Tongue and Foreign Language Education in Turkey]. Erciyes Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 21 (2), 285-307.
- Çetintaş, B. (2010). Türkiye’de yabancı dil Eğitim ve öğretiminin sürekliliği. [The Sustainability of Foreign Language Education in Turkey]. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 6, (1), 65-74.
- Demircan, O. (1988). Dünden bugüne Turkıye’de yabancı dil. [Foreign Language Education in Turkey from past to present]. İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi.
- Demirel, O. (2003). Yabaci dil öğretimi.[ Foreign Language Education]. İstanbul: Pegem Yayıncılık.
- Gedikoğlu, T. (2005). Avrupa Birliği sürecinde Türk eğitim sistemi: sorunlar ve çözüm önerileri. [Turkish Education System during the process of accession to European Union: problems and suggestions]. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 1(1), 66-80.
- Gökdemir, C. V. (2010). Üniversitelerimizde verilen yabancı dil öğretimindeki başarı durumumuz. [The state of success in Foreign Language Education at our universities]. Erzurum Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 6 (2), 251-264.
- Karci, C., & Akar-Vural, R. (2011). Teachers\' views with regard to teaching English in multigraded classrooms. Ankara: TED Üniversitesi.
- Kızıldag, A. (2009). Teaching English in Turkey: Dialogues with teachers about the challenges in public primary schools. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, Vol.1, Issue 3, June, 2009.
- Mirici, İ.Hakkı. (2003). Ülkemizde neden İngilizce öğretemiyoruz? [Why can’t we teach English in our country]. Bilim Yolu. Sayı 3 ss.377-386.
- Öz, H., Demirezen, M., & Pourfeiz, J. (n.d.). Willingness to communicate of EFL learners in Turkish context. Learning and Individual Differences, 37, 269-275. Retrieved January 11, 2015, from doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2014.12.009.
- ISSN: 2148-6123
- Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 6 Sayı
- Başlangıç: 2014
- Yayıncı: Özgen KORKMAZ