Investigating the in-service teacher training and professional development needs of instructors in higher education English language schools
Tez Türü: Doktora
Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Yabancı Diller Eğitimi Bölümü, Türkiye
Tez Danışmanı: Perihan Savaş
Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2022
Tezin Dili: İngilizce
Özet:
This study aimed to investigate the professional development needs of in-service English language instructors working at higher education English Language schools. The participants of the study were English Language instructors working at the pre-tertiary English Language preparatory schools of 17 universities in Ankara, Turkey. The main research foci of the study are analyzing the professional development needs of English language instructors and identifying the main components of a framework for the in-service training of English language instructors. The study followed a mixed method research design. By making used of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, the study employed convergent (parallel/concurrent) research design. The data collection tools involved an online needs assessment questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire was administered to 319 English language instructors working at higher education English Language preparatory schools in Ankara and was utilized to determine the needs of EFL instructors. In addition, 21 online interviews were conducted with voluntary instructors to further explain the questionnaire results. At the same time, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 teacher trainers and 10 English language school directors to triangulate data. The data analysis procedures involved descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data, and coding and categorizing procedures for qualitative data. The results of the study revealed insights about EFL instructors’ in-service training needs, beliefs and preferences as well as the views of the decision-making mechanisms. The findings were used to propose a framework for an in-service training program for EFL instructors in Turkey. The results of the study can be used to design and plan professional development activities for EFL teachers.