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Abstract

This study (both qualitative and quantitative in nature) examines the metaphors students at a university chose to describe the roles of foreign language teachers and compares metaphors chosen by teachers of English at the same university. Findings indicate that the same three roles (conductor, shopkeeper, and entertainer) were favored most by both the participating students and teachers though they were ranked differently. A deeper analysis of the primary metaphors chosen by the participants suggests that there is a significant discrepancy between teachers’ and students’ perceptions. While students preferred a learner-centered approach, teachers opted for a teacher-centered teaching. Implications for classroom practices indicate that teachers need to pay closer attention to their students’ needs, difficulties and interests.

Keywords

• role perceptions, metaphors, philosophies of education

Viewing Foreign Language Teachers' Roles Through the Eyes of Teachers and Students

Abstract

Nitel ve nicel araştırma özelliği taşıyan bu çalışmanın amacı üniversite düzeyindeki bir grup öğrencinin yabancı dil öğretmenlerinin rol tanımlarıyla ilgili olarak seçtikleri metaforları ortaya koymak ve yine aynı ortamda görev yapan İngilizce öğretmenlerinin tercih ettikleri metaforlarla karşılaştırmaktır. Bulgulara göre, her iki katılımcı grubun en fazla tercih ettikleri ilk üç rol tanımı aynı olmakla birlikte (orkestra şefi, bakkal, şaklaban), birinci tercihlerinde farklılık olduğu görülmektedir. Bu metaforların derinlemesine yapılan analizinde, öğrenciler ile öğretmenlerin yabancı dil öğretmeninin rolüne ilişkin algılamalarında önemli bir ayrılık olduğu söylenebilir. Birinci tercihlerine göre öğrenci katılımcılar daha çok öğrenci-odaklı bir yaklaşımı tercih ederken, öğretmen katılımcıların daha fazla öğretmen-odaklı bir öğretim anlayışına sahip oldukları görülmektedir. Bu bulgulara dayanarak, öğretmenlerin, öğrencilerin yabancı dil öğrenirken karşılaştıkları güçlüklere, ilgi ve gereksinimlerine daha fazla eğilmelerinin gerekliliği vurgulanabilir.

Keywords

• rol algıları, metaforlar, eğitim felsefeleri

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