Evaluation of an English preparatory program at a Turkish foundation university

Abstract

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Evaluation of an English preparatory program at a Turkish foundation university
This study aims to evaluate the English Preparatory Program (EPP) offered at the Department of Foreign Languages (DFL) at an English-medium foundation university in Turkey during 2017-18 academic year to discover the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Participants of the study were 241 students and 26 teachers. The data were collected from the “Program Evaluation Survey” designed by the researchers and focus group meetings with students and teachers. The results revealed that the strengths of the EPP included homework assignments, exams and the program while the extracurricular activities and online programs were found to be the main weaknesses of the EPP. It was also found that student and teacher perceptions of the EPP showed statistically significant difference.  Finally, students and teachers suggested some improvements in terms of the pacing of the program, course books and supplementary booklets, number of the portfolio assignments and the picture description part in the Speaking Exam.  It is hoped that the findings of the study will contribute to the improvement of the existing program and lead to better learning opportunities for students in the coming years.
Information about Author(s)*
Author 1
Author (Last name, First name)	Bayram, İlknur
Affiliated institution (University)	Ted University
Country	Turkey
Email address	[e-mail]
Department & Rank
Corresponding author (Yes/No) Write only one corresponding author.	No
Author 2
Author (Last name, First name)	Canaran, Özlem
Affiliated institution (University)	University of Turkish Aeronautical Association
Country	Turkey
Email address	[e-mail]
Department & Rank
Corresponding author (Yes/No)	Yes
Author 3
Author (Last name, First name)
Affiliated institution (University)
Country
Email address
Department & Rank
Corresponding author (Yes/No)
Author 4
Author (Last name, First name)
Affiliated institution (University)
Country
Email address
Department & Rank
Corresponding author (Yes/No)

Keywords

• Program evaluation,English preparatory program,students,teachers

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