Utilising SWOT Analysis to Improve the School of Foreign Languages

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 4, 993 - 1008, 30.10.2025

Betül Güleryüz Adamhasan , Merve Sofu Sürmeli , Esra Aslan , Yonca Özkan

https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1623450

Abstract

This study conducted an in-depth examination of the School of Foreign Languages (SoFL) at a state university, focusing on its dynamics from the perspectives of students, instructors, and internal stakeholders. Following the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle for quality assurance in the SoFL, the research included a thorough analysis of the SoFL's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) based on the SWOT analysis framework. Data was gathered from 667 students through open-ended questions, and focus group discussions were held with 40 instructors and 8 faculty members. Content analysis was employed to pinpoint patterns and themes within the data, highlighting recurring ideas and topics. The findings indicated that the SoFL excelled in instructional quality but faced challenges with assessment frequency and technological resources. Opportunities for improvement included favourable curricular flexibility, while threats encompassed student dissatisfaction and budget limitations. After this descriptive phase, an action plan was created to improve the SoFL’s effectiveness and tackle the identified areas for enhancement in the 2024-2025 academic year. The recommendations from students, instructors, and stakeholders were instrumental in this phase, helping to address weaknesses and threats while leveraging strengths and opportunities.

Keywords

English language teaching , PDCA cycle , Quality assurance , SWOT analysis framework

Ethical Statement

The Çukurova University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee granted the ethics approval for the study (the approval number: E-74009925-604.01-1044744).

Supporting Institution

Çukurova University

Project Number

16723 SBA-2024-16723

Thanks

Prof. Dr. Yonca ÖZKAN

References

• Aslan, M. & Sağlam, M. (2018). Evaluation of Teaching Practice Course According to Opinions of Student Teachers. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi (H. U. Journal of Education) 33(1): 144-162. 10.16986/HUJE.2017030313
• Balamuralikrishna, R. & Dugger, J. (1995). SWOT Analysis: A Management Tool for Initiating New Programs in Vocational Schools. Journal of Career and Technical Education, 12(1). 10.21061/jcte.v12i1.498
• Cheong Cheng, Y. (2003). Quality assurance in education: internal, interface, and future, Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 202-213. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880310501386
• Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage
• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.
• Denscombe, M. (2007). Critical incidents and learning about risks: the case of young people and their health. In M. Hammersley (ed) Educational Research and Evidence-based Practice (204-219). London: Sage and The Open University.
• Dill, D. D., Massy, W. F., Williams, P. R., and Cook, C. M. (1996) Accreditation and academic quality assurance: Can we get there from here? Change, 28(5): 16-24
• Deming, W. E. (1950). Out of the Crisis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
• Durmuş Şenyapar, H. N., & Bayındır, R. (2024). Quality assurance in higher education in the 21st century: strategies and practices for new generation universities. Higher Education Governance & Policy, 5(2), 115-133. doi: 10.55993/hegp.1573331 https://doi.org/10.55993/hegp.1573331Research, 10(51), 994-1006.
• Gül, H. (2008). SWOT Analysis of Technical Education and the Evaluation of its Effectiveness. World Applied Sciences Journal , vol.4, no.1, pp.45-50.
• Erarslan, A. (2019). Progressive vs modular system in preparatory school English language teaching program: A case of system change at a state university in Turkey. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 83-97.
• Gurel, E. (2017). SWOT analysis: A theoretical review. Journal of International Social
• Hande, S. (2014). Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of blended learning: Students’ perceptions. Ann Med Health Sci Res;4:336-9.
• Hill, T. & Westbrook, R. (2017). SWOT analysis: It’s time for a product recall, Long Range Planning, Volume 30, Issue 1, p. 46-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-6301(96)00095-7.
• Hişmanoğlu, M. (2012). An Investigation of Pronunciation Learning Strategies of Advanced EFL Learners. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 43(43).
• Hsieh, H.-F., & Shannon, S.E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288.
• İçbay, M. A. (2014). A SWOT Analysis on the University Entrance Examination in Turkey: A Case Study. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.17860/efd.08133
• Leiber, T., Stensaker, B., & Harvey, L. C. (2018). Bridging theory and practice of impact evaluation of quality management in higher education institutions: a SWOT analysis. European Journal of Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/21568235.2018.1474782
• Karakaş, A. (2012). Evaluation of the English Language Teacher Education Program in Turkey. ELT Weekly, 4(15).
• Kuiper, S., & Thomas, M. W. (2000). A Strategic Consultancy Model for Establishing a Centre for Business Communication. Business Communication Quarterly, 63(2), 52-67. https://doi.org/10.1177/108056990006300204
• Nekoueizadeh, M., Taher, B., & Maral, A. (2015). Considering the SWOT Analysis of Teacher Evaluation by Students. Journal of Education, Society, and Behavioural Science 13 (4):1-11. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJESBS/2016/10937.
• OECD. (2015). Education Policy Outlook 2015: Making Reforms Happen, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264225442-en
• OECD. (2018), The Future of Education and Skills: Education 2030. Position paper, http://www.oecd.org/education/2030/E2030%20Position%20Paper%20 (05.04.2018).pdf.
• OECD netFWD. (2019). Philanthropy and Education: Quality Education for All: Lessons and Future Priorities. OECD Development Centre, Paris.
• OECD. (2020). Education at a Glance 2020: OECD Indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing.
• Orr, B. (2013). Conducting a SWOT Analysis for Program Improvement. US-China Education Review A, ISSN 2161-623X. Vol. 3, No. 6, 381-384
• PISA. (2022). Assessment and Analytical Framework: Science, Reading, and Mathematical Literacy. Paris: OECD Publishing. Priyambodo, P. & Hasanah, E. (2021). Strategic Planning in Increasing Quality of Education. Nidhomul Haq: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam. 6. 109-126. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndh.v6i1.1138.
• Saunders B, Sim J, Kingstone T, Baker S, Waterfield J, Bartlam B, Burroughs H, Jinks C. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualisation and operationalisation. Qual Quant. 52(4):1893-1907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8. Epub 2017 Sep 14. PMID: 29937585; PMCID: PMC5993836.
• Sayah, H., & Khaleel, A. (2022). The Application of Accreditation Standards Institutional Iraqi in Iraqi Universities Using Deming Cycle (PDSA)” an Applied Study in The Colleges of Sumer University -Iraq”. Proceedings on Engineering Sciences, 4. https://doi.org/10.24874/PES04.01.004.
• Thamrina, H. & Pamungkas, E. (2017). A Rule-Based SWOT Analysis Application: A Case Study for Indonesian Higher Education Institutions. Science Direct. Procedia Computer Science 116 (2017) 144–150.
• Tandberg, D. & Martin, R. (2019). Quality assurance and improvement in higher education: the role of the states. The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO).
• Topkaya, A. Y. E. Z. (2013). Teacher educators’ evaluation of the English language teaching program: a Turkish case. Novitas-ROYAL (Research on Youth and Language), 7(1).
• UNESCO. (2014). Global citizenship education: preparing learners for the challenges of the 21st century. the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, France.
• Ustabulut, M. (2021). Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, V16, N1, https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2020.334.8
• Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage