Mandates, Needs, Resources, and Current Research: An Analysis of English Language Teacher Education in Turkey

• In Event: Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Making Bodies: Language, Disability, and English Language Teacher Education

Abstract

This study addresses, vis-à-vis current research in related fields: What is the current situation of the Turkish ELTE programs in terms of curriculum strength and faculty resources? How do the program directors and teacher candidates envision the situation of their programs in terms of curriculum strength and faculty resources? Data included 45 ELTE curricula, interviews with 24 program directors and preservice teachers, documents, and test scores. Results confirmed that the Turkish ELTE programs strictly follow Higher Education Council’s mandates. Results revealed several significant associations between school type (public/private) and rank (low/high) and the number of faculty with expertise in the field. Qualitative critical evaluations suggest perceptual matches and mismatches between program directors and teacher candidates regarding programmatic strengths and weaknesses.

Authors

• Saban Cepik, Fatih University

• Nihat Polat, Duquesne University