100. YILINDA TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ 1923-2023 ULUSLARARASI SEMPOZYUMU, Erzurum, Turkey, 13 - 14 October 2023, pp.1-2
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING IN TÜRKİYE: A 100-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW (1923-2023)
This study is an attempt to present a comprehensive retrospective review of English Language Teaching (ELT) in Türkiye over the past 100 years. The aim of the study is to shed light on the historical developments and key milestones in the field of ELT in response to the shifting economical, educational, and socio- political changes in Turkish and global context. The study examines these changes from two main perspectives. In the first part, early experiences with foreign language education during the early Republican period is described, and a historical overview is presented within the framework of educational reforms and their implementations in all levels of education including primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. This study then examines the period after Türkiye's integration into the global community, particularly after it aligned with Western nations and NATO in the mid-20th century. In this research, the historical trajectory and applications of English language teaching policies are examined to gain a deeper understanding of Türkiye's efforts to improve English proficiency. The study also explores how policy changes affect language teacher education programs, classroom practices, and assessment procedures. The second part of the study evaluates the current status of ELT in Türkiye offering critical insights into the effectiveness of the existing policies. The conclusion highlights the issues and challenges of ELT in Turkish educational system providing valuable insights into the role of ELT in promoting Türkiye's global competitiveness and reflecting the country's continuous efforts to align its language education policies with global trends and local needs.
Key words: ELT in Turkish Context, Educational Reforms, Policy Changes