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A PRESCHOOL BILINGUAL PROGRAM EVALUATION BY ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 29 - 56, 04.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.35452/caless.1700976

Abstract

This mixed-method case study evaluated an English-Turkish bilingual preschool program in Türkiye from the perspective of English teachers, using the Illumination Evaluation Model. Data were collected from 83 English teachers through a program evaluation scale, interviews with 12 teachers, and analysis of institutional documents. The program included separate but parallel Turkish and English curricula for 4- and 5-year-olds, following a theme-based curriculum with CLIL and eclectic approaches. Findings showed that teachers were highly positive about the program’s overall structure and aims, but gave only moderate approval to its content, assessment strategies, and teaching methods. Teachers highlighted various benefits of the program, such as linguistic, academic, socio-cultural, and psychological advantages, but also noted challenges including curriculum overload, material deficiencies, instructional difficulties, and teacher recruitment issues. The teachers offered several recommendations for program improvement. This study provides insights that can inform future evaluations and development of bilingual programs in Türkiye.

References

  • Aybek, B. (2015). An evaluation of primary education second grade English course based upon the views of English teachers. International Periodical for the Languages, Literature and History of Turkish or Turkic, 10 (15), 67-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.8765
  • Baker, D.L., Basaraba, D. L. & Polanco, P. (2016). Connecting the present to the past: furthering the research on bilingual education and bilingualism. Review of Research in Education, 40, 821-883. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44668638
  • Balım, D. (2020). An evaluation of fifth grade English Curriculum within an illuminative evaluation model. [Master thesis, Pamukkale University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Bax, S. (2010). Researching English bilingual education in Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea. www.britishcouncil.org /accessenglish
  • Chang, I. Y. (2010). An evaluation of curricular implementation in central city English village: A case of an elementary school in southern Taiwan. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation], Alliant International University.
  • Clifford, M. (1991). Exploring learner and teacher roles in curriculum development in a process approach to a basic English as a second language programmme for adults. [Master thesis, University of Cape Town]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Çankaya, P. (2015). An evaluation of the primary 3rd grade English language teaching program: Tekirdağ case [Master thesis, Onsekiz Mart University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Cihan, T. & Gürlen, E. (2013).Teachers’ opinions on the English Language curriculum of the 5th grade of primary education, Anadolu University Journal of Social Sciences, 13 (1), 131-146.
  • Deligianni-Georgakas, A. (2005). An evaluation of the effectiveness of a learning support programme in EFL in Greece: a responsive-illuminative approach. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Exeter]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Dobson, A. & Perez Murillo, M.D. & Johnstone, R. (2010). Bilingual education project Spain: Evaluation report. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk /article/bilingual-education-project-spain-evaluation-report
  • Ekuş, B. & Babayiğit, Ö. (2013). İlkokul 2. sınıftan itibaren yabancı dil eğitimi verilmesine ilişkin sınıf ve İngilizce öğretmenlerinin görüşlerinin incelenmesi. Researcher: Social Science Studies, 1, 40-49.
  • Erarslan, A. & Topkaya, E. (2019). Developing a scale to evaluate Turkish primary school second grade English language teaching program. Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7 (20), 12-34. https://doi.org/10.33692/avrasyad.664164
  • Femenia Gomez, I. (2018). Bilingual education in Spain: analysis and assessment of the present model, University graduation project, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain. http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/ 10324/33187
  • Floris, F. D. (2011). The evaluation of English for general academic purposes (EGAP) course in an Indonesian University. Bahasa Dan Seni, 39 (1), 105-118.
  • Fitzpatrick, J.L., Sanders, J.R. ve Worthen, B.R (2004). Program evaluation. Alternative approaches and practical guidelines (3rd edition). Allyn and Bacon.
  • Francis, D., Lesaux, N. K., & August, D. (2006). Language of instruction. In D. L. August & T. Shanahan (Eds.), Developing literacy in a second language: Report of the National Literacy Panel (pp. 365–410). Lawrence Erlbaum.
  • Garcia, O. (2009). Bilingual education in the 21st century: A global perspective. Wiley-Blackwell. Genesee, F., Lindholm-Leary, K., Saunders, W. & Christian, D. (Eds.). (2006). Educating English language learners: A synthesis of research evidence. Cambridge University Press.

  • Gredler, M. E. (1996). Program evaluation. Pearson Education Company.
  • Greene, J. P. (1998). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of bilingual education. Thomas Rivera Policy Institute.

  • Guiberson, M. (2013). Bilingual myth-busters series language confusion in bilingual children. Perspectives on Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations, 20 (1), 5-14. https://doi.org/10.1044/cds20.1.5
  • Gunio, M. J. D. (n.d.). Determining The Influences Of a Hidden Curriculum on Students’ Character Development Using the Illuminative Evaluation Model. https://apracsi.org/paper-presentations/determining-the-influences-of-a-hidden-curriculum-on-students-character-development-using-the-illuminative-evaluation-mode/
  • Gültekin, M. & Demirci, C. (2020). Evaluation of the English language preparatory school curriculum in the lights of illuminative evaluation model. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 5 (3), 103-131. 10.5281/zenodo.3786139
  • İnam-Çelik, G. (2009). İlköğretim okulları 4. Sınıf İngilizce dersi öğretim programının değerlendirilmesine ilişkin öğretmen görüşleri [Teacher opinions about 4th classes English programme in primary schools]. [Master thesis, Adnan Menderes University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • İyitoğlu, O. & Alcı, B. (2015). A qualitative research on second grade teachers’ opinions about second grade English language teaching curriculum. Elementary Education Online, 14 (2), 682-696. https://doi.org/10.17051/io.2015.73998
  • Kayser, A. (2003). Illuminative evaluation of a project-based computer assisted language learning course in the United Arab Emirates. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Exeter]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Keyuravong, S. (2008) CLIL PEAC 2008 Insights Thailand: CLIL-PEAC Country Report : Thailand. Unpublished report.
  • Köksal, D. & Çankaya, P. (2019). Developing a program evaluation scale to investigate perceptions about primary school English language teaching program. ELT Research Journal, 8 (2), 65-82.
  • Liberali, C.F. & Megale, A.H. (2016). Elite bilingual education in brazil: An applied linguist’s perspective. Colomb. Appl. Linguist Journal, 18 (2), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.144483/calj.v18n2.10022
  • Lynch, B. K. (1996). Language program evaluation:Theory and practice. Cambridge University Press.
  • Memon, M. (1989). An illuminative study of curriculum changes in English language teaching and learning in Pakistan. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Surrey]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Oukrime, M. (1986). English language teaching in higher education in Morocco: an evaluation of the Fez experience. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of London]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Özüdoğru, F. & Adıgüzel, O. C. (2016). The analysis of the views of English teachers about 2nd grade English language teaching curriculum. E-international Journal of Educational Research, 7 (2), 16-35. https://doi.org/10.19160/e-ijer.61394
  • Özüdoğru, F. (2016). Evaluation of primary school 2nd grade English language teaching curriculum through illuminative evaluation model in line with the common european framework of reference for languages. [Doctoral Dissertation, Anadolu University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Palabıyık, T. (2021). Aydınlatıcı program değerlendirme modeline göre ikinci sınıf İngilizce öğretim programının öğretmen görüşlerine göre değerlendirilmesi [An evaluation of the second grade English curriculum based on the enlightening curriculum evaluation model according to teachers' views]. [Master thesis, Mardin Artuklu University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Parlett, M. & Hamilton, D. (1977). Evaluation as illumination: A new approach to the study of innovatory programs. M. Parlett ve G. Dearden (Eds.), Introduction to illuminative evaluation. Pacific Soundings Press.
  • Reljic, G., Ferrig, D., & Martin, R. (2015). A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of bilingual programs in Europe. Review of Educational Research, 85, 92–128. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654314548514
  • Reilly, T. (2009, June). A case study of an early years bilingual schools project in Spain. Paper presented at English bilingual education symposium: collection of papers, Access English, Jakarta. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk /sites/teacheng/files/download-accessenglish-publications-ebeproceedings.pdf
  • Rolstad, K., Mahoney, K., & Glass, G. V. (2005). The big picture: A meta-analysis of program effectiveness on English language learners. Educational Policy, 19, 572–594. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904805278067
  • Slavin, R. E., & Cheung, A. (2005). A synthesis of research on language of reading instruction for English language learners. Review of Educational Research, 75, 247–284. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543075002247
  • Tekin, M. (2015). Evaluation of a preparatory school program at a public university. Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 8 (36), 718-733. 10.17719/jisr.2015369537
  • Vela, A., Jones, D., Mundy, M. & Isaacson C. (2017). Determining the effectiveness of bilingual programs on third grade state exam scores. Research in Higher Education Journal, 33.
  • Willig, A. C. (1985). A meta-analysis of selected studies on the effectiveness of bilingual education. Review of Educational Research, 55, 269–317. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543055003269

İNGİLİZCE ÖĞRETMENLERİ TARAFINDAN BİR ANAOKULU ÇİFT DİLLİ PROGRAM DEĞERLENDİRMESİ

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 29 - 56, 04.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.35452/caless.1700976

Abstract

Bu karma-metot vaka analizi, İngilizce-Türkçe çift dilli bir anaokul programını İngilizce öğretmenlerinin bakış açısından Aydınlatıcı Program Değerlendirme Modeli kullanarak değerlendirmiştir. Veriler, kurum dokümanlarından, Program Değerlendirme Ölçeği ile 83 İngilizce öğretmeninden ve mülakat yoluyla 12 İngilizce öğretmeninden toplanmıştır. Çift dilli anaokul programının, 4 ve 5 yaş için Türkçe ve İngilizce olmak üzere iki ayrı fakat CLIL ve eklektik yaklaşımlarla tema bazlı paralel müfredatlar yürüttüğü saptanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, öğretmenler programın genel özellikleri, hedefleri hakkında son derece pozitif iken içerik, değerlendirme, öğrenim ve öğretim süreçleri hakkında kısmen pozitif görüşlere sahiptir. İngilizce öğretmenleri programın; dilsel, akademik, duygusal, sosyal, kültürel, psikolojik, bilişsel, ekonomik ve kimlik gelişimi açılarından avantajları olduğunu ifade etmiştir fakat programın yüklü içerik, materyal, öğretim ve öğrenim süreci problemleri ve öğretmen etkinliği ile alakalı personel alım problemleri olduğunu belirtmiştir, son olarak programın geliştirilmesi için bazı öneriler vermişlerdir. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’deki gelecek çift dilli program geliştirme ve değerlendirme çalışmalarına ışık tutmaktadır.

References

  • Aybek, B. (2015). An evaluation of primary education second grade English course based upon the views of English teachers. International Periodical for the Languages, Literature and History of Turkish or Turkic, 10 (15), 67-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.8765
  • Baker, D.L., Basaraba, D. L. & Polanco, P. (2016). Connecting the present to the past: furthering the research on bilingual education and bilingualism. Review of Research in Education, 40, 821-883. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44668638
  • Balım, D. (2020). An evaluation of fifth grade English Curriculum within an illuminative evaluation model. [Master thesis, Pamukkale University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Bax, S. (2010). Researching English bilingual education in Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea. www.britishcouncil.org /accessenglish
  • Chang, I. Y. (2010). An evaluation of curricular implementation in central city English village: A case of an elementary school in southern Taiwan. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation], Alliant International University.
  • Clifford, M. (1991). Exploring learner and teacher roles in curriculum development in a process approach to a basic English as a second language programmme for adults. [Master thesis, University of Cape Town]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Çankaya, P. (2015). An evaluation of the primary 3rd grade English language teaching program: Tekirdağ case [Master thesis, Onsekiz Mart University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Cihan, T. & Gürlen, E. (2013).Teachers’ opinions on the English Language curriculum of the 5th grade of primary education, Anadolu University Journal of Social Sciences, 13 (1), 131-146.
  • Deligianni-Georgakas, A. (2005). An evaluation of the effectiveness of a learning support programme in EFL in Greece: a responsive-illuminative approach. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Exeter]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Dobson, A. & Perez Murillo, M.D. & Johnstone, R. (2010). Bilingual education project Spain: Evaluation report. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk /article/bilingual-education-project-spain-evaluation-report
  • Ekuş, B. & Babayiğit, Ö. (2013). İlkokul 2. sınıftan itibaren yabancı dil eğitimi verilmesine ilişkin sınıf ve İngilizce öğretmenlerinin görüşlerinin incelenmesi. Researcher: Social Science Studies, 1, 40-49.
  • Erarslan, A. & Topkaya, E. (2019). Developing a scale to evaluate Turkish primary school second grade English language teaching program. Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7 (20), 12-34. https://doi.org/10.33692/avrasyad.664164
  • Femenia Gomez, I. (2018). Bilingual education in Spain: analysis and assessment of the present model, University graduation project, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain. http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/ 10324/33187
  • Floris, F. D. (2011). The evaluation of English for general academic purposes (EGAP) course in an Indonesian University. Bahasa Dan Seni, 39 (1), 105-118.
  • Fitzpatrick, J.L., Sanders, J.R. ve Worthen, B.R (2004). Program evaluation. Alternative approaches and practical guidelines (3rd edition). Allyn and Bacon.
  • Francis, D., Lesaux, N. K., & August, D. (2006). Language of instruction. In D. L. August & T. Shanahan (Eds.), Developing literacy in a second language: Report of the National Literacy Panel (pp. 365–410). Lawrence Erlbaum.
  • Garcia, O. (2009). Bilingual education in the 21st century: A global perspective. Wiley-Blackwell. Genesee, F., Lindholm-Leary, K., Saunders, W. & Christian, D. (Eds.). (2006). Educating English language learners: A synthesis of research evidence. Cambridge University Press.

  • Gredler, M. E. (1996). Program evaluation. Pearson Education Company.
  • Greene, J. P. (1998). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of bilingual education. Thomas Rivera Policy Institute.

  • Guiberson, M. (2013). Bilingual myth-busters series language confusion in bilingual children. Perspectives on Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations, 20 (1), 5-14. https://doi.org/10.1044/cds20.1.5
  • Gunio, M. J. D. (n.d.). Determining The Influences Of a Hidden Curriculum on Students’ Character Development Using the Illuminative Evaluation Model. https://apracsi.org/paper-presentations/determining-the-influences-of-a-hidden-curriculum-on-students-character-development-using-the-illuminative-evaluation-mode/
  • Gültekin, M. & Demirci, C. (2020). Evaluation of the English language preparatory school curriculum in the lights of illuminative evaluation model. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 5 (3), 103-131. 10.5281/zenodo.3786139
  • İnam-Çelik, G. (2009). İlköğretim okulları 4. Sınıf İngilizce dersi öğretim programının değerlendirilmesine ilişkin öğretmen görüşleri [Teacher opinions about 4th classes English programme in primary schools]. [Master thesis, Adnan Menderes University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • İyitoğlu, O. & Alcı, B. (2015). A qualitative research on second grade teachers’ opinions about second grade English language teaching curriculum. Elementary Education Online, 14 (2), 682-696. https://doi.org/10.17051/io.2015.73998
  • Kayser, A. (2003). Illuminative evaluation of a project-based computer assisted language learning course in the United Arab Emirates. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Exeter]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Keyuravong, S. (2008) CLIL PEAC 2008 Insights Thailand: CLIL-PEAC Country Report : Thailand. Unpublished report.
  • Köksal, D. & Çankaya, P. (2019). Developing a program evaluation scale to investigate perceptions about primary school English language teaching program. ELT Research Journal, 8 (2), 65-82.
  • Liberali, C.F. & Megale, A.H. (2016). Elite bilingual education in brazil: An applied linguist’s perspective. Colomb. Appl. Linguist Journal, 18 (2), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.144483/calj.v18n2.10022
  • Lynch, B. K. (1996). Language program evaluation:Theory and practice. Cambridge University Press.
  • Memon, M. (1989). An illuminative study of curriculum changes in English language teaching and learning in Pakistan. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Surrey]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Oukrime, M. (1986). English language teaching in higher education in Morocco: an evaluation of the Fez experience. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of London]. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing.
  • Özüdoğru, F. & Adıgüzel, O. C. (2016). The analysis of the views of English teachers about 2nd grade English language teaching curriculum. E-international Journal of Educational Research, 7 (2), 16-35. https://doi.org/10.19160/e-ijer.61394
  • Özüdoğru, F. (2016). Evaluation of primary school 2nd grade English language teaching curriculum through illuminative evaluation model in line with the common european framework of reference for languages. [Doctoral Dissertation, Anadolu University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Palabıyık, T. (2021). Aydınlatıcı program değerlendirme modeline göre ikinci sınıf İngilizce öğretim programının öğretmen görüşlerine göre değerlendirilmesi [An evaluation of the second grade English curriculum based on the enlightening curriculum evaluation model according to teachers' views]. [Master thesis, Mardin Artuklu University]. National Thesis Centre.
  • Parlett, M. & Hamilton, D. (1977). Evaluation as illumination: A new approach to the study of innovatory programs. M. Parlett ve G. Dearden (Eds.), Introduction to illuminative evaluation. Pacific Soundings Press.
  • Reljic, G., Ferrig, D., & Martin, R. (2015). A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of bilingual programs in Europe. Review of Educational Research, 85, 92–128. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654314548514
  • Reilly, T. (2009, June). A case study of an early years bilingual schools project in Spain. Paper presented at English bilingual education symposium: collection of papers, Access English, Jakarta. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk /sites/teacheng/files/download-accessenglish-publications-ebeproceedings.pdf
  • Rolstad, K., Mahoney, K., & Glass, G. V. (2005). The big picture: A meta-analysis of program effectiveness on English language learners. Educational Policy, 19, 572–594. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904805278067
  • Slavin, R. E., & Cheung, A. (2005). A synthesis of research on language of reading instruction for English language learners. Review of Educational Research, 75, 247–284. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543075002247
  • Tekin, M. (2015). Evaluation of a preparatory school program at a public university. Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 8 (36), 718-733. 10.17719/jisr.2015369537
  • Vela, A., Jones, D., Mundy, M. & Isaacson C. (2017). Determining the effectiveness of bilingual programs on third grade state exam scores. Research in Higher Education Journal, 33.
  • Willig, A. C. (1985). A meta-analysis of selected studies on the effectiveness of bilingual education. Review of Educational Research, 55, 269–317. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543055003269
There are 42 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects English As A Second Language
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Hatice Elif Kalaycıoğlu 0009-0004-0688-8183

Publication Date July 4, 2025
Submission Date May 16, 2025
Acceptance Date July 4, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Kalaycıoğlu, H. E. (2025). A PRESCHOOL BILINGUAL PROGRAM EVALUATION BY ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS. International Journal of Current Approaches in Language, Education and Social Sciences, 7(1), 29-56. https://doi.org/10.35452/caless.1700976