Dissertation

Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Volume: 2 Number: 2 July 27, 2026

Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of pre-service English language teachers within the framework of culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) in higher education in Türkiye. As cultural diversity in classrooms increases, the need for inclusive teaching practices becomes more pronounced. This narrative inquiry explores the lived experiences of 40 second-year English language teaching students (17 male, 23 female) during the 2023–2024 spring semester. Culturally responsive content was systematically incorporated into a 14-week English Literature course. Data collection methods included narrative frames, semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and a teacher log. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that exposure to culturally responsive pedagogy enhanced intercultural awareness, reduced implicit biases, and strengthened participants’ commitment to inclusive education. Additionally, the implementation promoted professional growth and intercultural sensitivity by fostering empathetic engagement and critical reflection. These results underscore the transformative potential of culturally responsive pedagogy in teacher education and highlight the need for structured integration of such practices into pre-service teacher training curricula.

Keywords

References

  1. References
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  3. Arar, K. (2020). School Leadership for Refugees’ Education: Social Justice Leadership for Immigrant, Migrants and Refugees (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429021770
  4. Banks, J. A. (2004). Multicultural education: Historical development, dimensions, and practice. In J. A. Banks & C. A. M. Banks (Eds.), Handbook of research on multicultural education (2nd ed., pp. 3–29). Jossey-Bass.
  5. Barkhuizen, G., & Wette, R. (2008). Narrative frames for investigating the experiences of language teachers. System, 36(3), 372–387.
  6. Barutcu, O., Sarıdaş, G., & Nayır, F. (2024). Teacher perceptions about the culturally responsive education approach of the Turkish education system: Q methodology study. Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Language, 4(2), 65–95. https://doi.org/10.20375/0000-0012-1a19-4
  7. Batchelor, K. E., Ramos, M., & Neiswander, S. (2019). Preservice teachers and culturally responsive pedagogy: Exploring the connection through reflective practice. Multicultural Perspectives, 21(3), 133–140.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

English As A Second Language, Language Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Dissertation

Publication Date

July 27, 2026

Submission Date

March 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2 Number: 2

APA
Kumlu, E. (2026). Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Contemporary English Language Studies, 2(2), 1-15. https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU
AMA
1.Kumlu E. Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. CELS. 2026;2(2):1-15. https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU
Chicago
Kumlu, Esin. 2026. “Is It As Easy As It Sounds?: Exploring Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Experience With Culturally Responsive Pedagogy”. Contemporary English Language Studies 2 (2): 1-15. https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU.
EndNote
Kumlu E (July 1, 2026) Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Contemporary English Language Studies 2 2 1–15.
IEEE
[1]E. Kumlu, “Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy”, CELS, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 1–15, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU
ISNAD
Kumlu, Esin. “Is It As Easy As It Sounds?: Exploring Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Experience With Culturally Responsive Pedagogy”. Contemporary English Language Studies 2/2 (July 1, 2026): 1-15. https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU.
JAMA
1.Kumlu E. Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. CELS. 2026;2:1–15.
MLA
Kumlu, Esin. “Is It As Easy As It Sounds?: Exploring Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Experience With Culturally Responsive Pedagogy”. Contemporary English Language Studies, vol. 2, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 1-15, https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU.
Vancouver
1.Esin Kumlu. Is it as easy as it sounds?: Exploring pre-service English language teachers’ experience with Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. CELS [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;2(2):1-15. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA95YD87MU

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