Research Article

Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach

Volume: 16 Number: Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION October 28, 2025
TR EN

Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of critical reflection practices on language instruction in an EFL setting. Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory forms the theoretical framework of the study. The researchers aim to explore how critical reflection can help students shed new light on their existing distorted assumptions related to language learning, self-concept, and societal norms. Adopting an embedded mixed-methods design, both quantitative and qualitative instruments are used to examine how transformative practices based on critical reflection can support students’ academic, personal, and social development. The quantitative phase employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design using the Critical Reflection Inventory. The qualitative data were collected from open-ended questionnaires, weekly journals, and semi-structured interviews. In a fourteen-week study during an Oral Communication Skills course at a university, the intervention incorporated reflective practices to raise students’ awareness of their language learning journeys. The quantitative results showed no statistically significant change in pretest and posttest scores; however, the qualitative data showed students’ noticeable improvement in challenging their distorted assumptions. Participants critically examined their distortions in their epistemic, sociolinguistic, and psychological premises, leading to deeper metacognitive awareness and revised perspectives. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating reflective practices into foreign language instruction. It suggests that time is often needed for perspective change, where existing assumptions are questioned and re-evaluated; however, reflective pedagogy can foster meaningful changes, avoiding the results of distorted assumptions, namely, the obstruction of meaning-making in new experiences, and consequent academic and personal failures. Future research should explore the long-term effects and broader applications of transformative learning in language education.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK).

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with ethical standards for research involving human participants and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Dokuz Eylül University.

Thanks

I gratefully acknowledge the support of TÜBİTAK.

References

  1. Akdağ Kurnaz, E. (2018). Dönüştürücü öğrenme kuramına göre İngilizce dersinde hazırlanmış öğrenme etkinliklerinin üniversite öğrencilerinin bakış açısı dönüşümlerine etkisinin incelenmesi [Doctoral Dissertation]. Eskişehir Osmangazi University.
  2. Akbari, Z. (2019). EFL learners’ misconceptions or erroneous beliefs about language learning: An ESP context. Research Quarterly, 9, 31–45. https://doi.org/10.32038/ltrq.2018.09.03
  3. Alkan, M. F., & Kartal, Ş. (2018). Comparison of teaching English as a foreign language in Turkey with Denmark, Hungary, and Portugal. Turkish Online Journal of English Language Teaching, 3(1), 10-23.
  4. Bannai, M. (2008). L2 knowledge of verb placement by Japanese learners of English. IRAL - International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 46(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1515/IRAL.2008.001
  5. Barrot, J. S. (2014). A sociocultural perspective on second language teacher identity. The Language Learning Journal, 42(3), 287–299.
  6. Bektaş‐Çetinkaya, Y. (2024). Turkish students’ language‐learning perezhivanie, learner identities, and transformation of self. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 34(3), 1032–1045. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12552
  7. Booth, P., Clenton, J., & Van Herwegen, J. (2018). L1–L2 semantic and syntactic processing: The influence of language proximity. System, 78, 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2018.07.011
  8. Bown, J., & White, C. J. (2010). Affect in a self-regulatory framework for language learning. System, 38(3), 432–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2010.03.016

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Other Fields of Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

October 23, 2025

Publication Date

October 28, 2025

Submission Date

September 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION

APA
Tural, P., & Beaktaş Çetinkaya, Y. (2025). Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach. Batı Anadolu Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 16(Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION), 93-120. https://doi.org/10.51460/baebd.1790121
AMA
1.Tural P, Beaktaş Çetinkaya Y. Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach. WAJES. 2025;16(Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION):93-120. doi:10.51460/baebd.1790121
Chicago
Tural, Pınar, and Yeşim Beaktaş Çetinkaya. 2025. “Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach”. Batı Anadolu Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi 16 (Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION): 93-120. https://doi.org/10.51460/baebd.1790121.
EndNote
Tural P, Beaktaş Çetinkaya Y (October 1, 2025) Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach. Batı Anadolu Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi 16 Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION 93–120.
IEEE
[1]P. Tural and Y. Beaktaş Çetinkaya, “Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach”, WAJES, vol. 16, no. Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION, pp. 93–120, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.51460/baebd.1790121.
ISNAD
Tural, Pınar - Beaktaş Çetinkaya, Yeşim. “Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach”. Batı Anadolu Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi 16/Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION (October 1, 2025): 93-120. https://doi.org/10.51460/baebd.1790121.
JAMA
1.Tural P, Beaktaş Çetinkaya Y. Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach. WAJES. 2025;16:93–120.
MLA
Tural, Pınar, and Yeşim Beaktaş Çetinkaya. “Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach”. Batı Anadolu Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 16, no. Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION, Oct. 2025, pp. 93-120, doi:10.51460/baebd.1790121.
Vancouver
1.Pınar Tural, Yeşim Beaktaş Çetinkaya. Fostering Critical Reflection in EFL Learning: A Transformative Learning Approach. WAJES. 2025 Oct. 1;16(Special issue 4 - SUSTAINABILITY ON EDUCATION):93-120. doi:10.51460/baebd.1790121

Cited By