Understanding the Challenges and Coping Practices in Teaching English to Young Learners: A Study of Primary School English Teachers' Perspectives

Year 2024, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 330 - 343, 31.12.2024

Sabriye Sener , Ayten Çokçalışkan

Abstract

Young learners are energetic, curious, willing to explore the world around by their nature. For this reason, teaching English to young learners, especially in primary school context, may be difficult. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perceptions of English language teachers working in primary schools regarding the challenges they face in teaching young learners. A qualitative research design was employed. The data were obtained from 15 non-native English in-service teachers employed at primary schools across western Türkiye during the spring term of the 2019-2020 academic year, through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed by using content analysis. It was found that English teachers working at primary schools had difficulties in some major areas such as insufficient time, dealing with crowded classes, and materials of the course, etc. The research suggests that teachers should be highly skilled professionals who combine theoretical knowledge and expertise with practical experience to address the specific demands and challenges of the foreign language classroom.

Keywords

Teaching English to young learners, primary school, English teachers

Erken Yaşta İngilizce Öğretiminde Karşılaşılan Zorluklar ve Başa Çıkma Uygulamaları: İlkokul İngilizce Öğretmenlerinin Görüşleri Üzerine Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Çocuklar, doğaları gereği enerjik, meraklı ve çevrelerindeki dünyayı keşfetmeye isteklidirler. Bu nedenle, özellikle ilkokul bağlamında çocuklara İngilizce öğretmek zorlayıcı olabilir. Bu nedenle, bu çalışmanın amacı, İngilizce öğretmenlerinin küçük yaştaki öğrencilerin sınıflarında karşılaştıkları sorunlara ilişkin algılarını belirlemektir. Nitel bir araştırma tasarımı kullanılmıştır. Veriler, 2019-2020 eğitim yılının bahar döneminde Türkiye'nin batısındaki farklı ilkokullarda çalışan 15 İngilizce öğretmeninden toplanmıştır. Araştırmada yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Toplanan veriler, içerik analizi yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. İlkokulda görev yapan İngilizce öğretmenlerinin yetersiz zaman, kalabalık sınıflarla başa çıkma ve ders materyalleri gibi temel alanlarda zorluklar yaşadığı bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçları doğrultusunda, öğretmenlerin yabancı dil sınıfının taleplerine ve koşullarına uygun olarak teorik bilgi ve deneyimi pratikte birleştiren yüksek nitelikte olmaları gerektiği önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Erken yaşta İngilizce öğretimi, ilkokul, İngilizce öğretmenleri

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