International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 1308-951X

Original article | International Journal of Research in Teacher Education 2011, Vol. 2(2) 17-28

A Qualitative Study into English Language Teachers’ and Students’ Beliefs and Practices in Turkey

Mehmet Sercan UZTOSUN

pp. 17 - 28   |  Manu. Number: ijrte.2010.025

Published online: June 01, 2010  |   Number of Views: 171  |  Number of Download: 665


Abstract

This study aims to understand the relationship between teachers’ and students’ beliefs about effective ways of learning English and elucidate whether teachers’ and students’ beliefs are congruent with their self-reported practices in Turkey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to 5 teachers of English and 6 of their students and qualitative analysis of the interview protocols revealed consistency between their beliefs about effective ways of learning English. On the other hand, teachers and students were in agreement about the disconnection between their beliefs and practices. Although they believe that English should be learned communicatively, they claimed that their current practices solely focus on structural and lexical units of English. Different factors were discussed leading to this mismatch such as the content of university examination, course books, the status of English, overloaded syllabus, etc. and the disconnection between beliefs and practices is reported to be a factor hindering the satisfaction gained from current teaching and learning procedures. 

Keywords: Teachers’ beliefs, Learners’ beliefs, English language teaching in Turkey, Beliefs and practices


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
UZTOSUN, M.S. (2011). A Qualitative Study into English Language Teachers’ and Students’ Beliefs and Practices in Turkey. International Journal of Research in Teacher Education, 2(2), 17-28.

Harvard
UZTOSUN, M. (2011). A Qualitative Study into English Language Teachers’ and Students’ Beliefs and Practices in Turkey. International Journal of Research in Teacher Education, 2(2), pp. 17-28.

Chicago 16th edition
UZTOSUN, Mehmet Sercan (2011). "A Qualitative Study into English Language Teachers’ and Students’ Beliefs and Practices in Turkey". International Journal of Research in Teacher Education 2 (2):17-28.