Research Article
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IN-SERVICE ENGLISH TEACHERS’ BELIEFS ABOUT 21ST CENTURY SKILLS

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 198 - 219, 01.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1844586

Abstract

This study explores how in-service English language teachers perceive and use the 21st-century learning and innovation skills in their classrooms. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design along with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed to gather comprehensive data. A total of 100 volunteer teachers completed ‘The 21st Century Teaching and Learning Survey (Ravitz, 2014)’ through convenience sampling, and 15 additional volunteers participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data collected with 100 questionnaires and qualitative data obtained from 15 in-depth interviews were analysed. The findings indicated a clear gap: although teachers acknowledge the importance of 21st-century skills, insufficient in-service training limits their ability to apply these skills during English courses effectively. Consequently, the study highlights the need for focused professional development programmes to expand teachers’ understanding and strengthen their practical competencies.

References

  • Alharbi, N. S. (2024). Exploring the perspectives of cross-cultural instructors on integrating 21st century skills into EFL university courses. Frontiers in Education, 9, Article 1302608. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1302608
  • Bebell, D., & Kay, R. (2010). One-to-one computing: A summary of the quantitative results from the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative. Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment, 9(2), 1–60.
  • Bedir, H. (2019). Pre-service ELT teachers’ beliefs and perceptions on 21st century learning and innovation skills (4Cs). Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 231–246.
  • Binkley, M., Erstad, O., Herman, J., Raizen, S., Ripley, M., Miller‐Ricci, M., & Rumble, M. (2012). Defining twenty-first century skills. In P. Griffin, B. McGaw, & E. Care (Eds.), Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 17–66). Springer.
  • Black, R. W. (2009). English-language learners, fan communities, and 21st-century skills. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 52(8), 688–697.
  • Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Multilingual Matters.
  • Chen, D. (2021). Toward an understanding of 21st-century skills: A systematic review. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-021-09472-3
  • Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Darling-Hammond, L. (2017). Teaching for deeper learning. Harvard Education Press.
  • Dede, C. (2007). Transforming education for the 21st century: New pedagogies that help all students attain sophisticated learning outcomes. NCSU Friday Institute.
  • Fullan, M. (2013). Stratosphere: Integrating technology, pedagogy, and change knowledge. Pearson.
  • Gruenewald, D. A. (2003). The best of both worlds: A critical pedagogy of place. Educational Researcher, 32(4), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X032004003
  • Jacobson-Lundeberg, V. (2016). Pedagogical implementation of 21st century skills. Educational Leadership and Administration: Teaching and Program Development, 27, 82–100.
  • Kan, A. Ü., & Murat, A. (2018). Investigation of prospective science teachers’ 21st century skill competence perceptions and attitudes toward STEM. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 10(4), 251–272.
  • Levy, F., & Murnane, R. J. (2004). The new division of labor: How computers are creating the next job market. Princeton University Press.
  • Mankara, P. V. (2020). Integrating 21st century skills in English language teaching: An overview. Language & Literature, 10–24.
  • Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054.
  • Monib, W. K. (2023). Implementation of 21st century skills in EFL classroom: Perceptions of lecturers and students. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences, 5(3), 536–559. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.544
  • Orhan Göksün, D., & Kurt, A. (2017). The relationship between pre-service teachers’ use of 21st century learner skills and 21st century teacher skills. Education and Science, 42(190), 107–130. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2017.7089
  • Pardede, P. (2020). Secondary school students’ perception of ICT use in EFL classroom. Journal of English Teaching, 6(3), 246–259.
  • Ravitz, J. (2014). A survey for measuring 21st century teaching and learning: West Virginia 21st Century Teaching and Learning Survey (WVDE-CIS-28). West Virginia Department of Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED565466.pdf
  • Rotherham, A. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2010). 21st-century skills: Not new, but a worthy challenge. American Educator, 34(1), 17–20.
  • Rushkoff, D. (2019, December 29). We’ve spent the decade letting our tech define us. It’s out of control. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com
  • Saunders, M. N. (2012). Choosing research participants. In G. Symon & C. Cassell (Eds.), Qualitative organizational research: Core methods and current challenges (pp. 35–52). SAGE Publications.
  • Shadiev, R., & Wang, X. (2022). A review of research on technology-supported language learning and 21st century skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 897689. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897689
  • Silva, E. (2009). Measuring skills for 21st-century learning. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(9), 630–634.
  • Smith, G. A., & Sobel, D. (2010). Place- and community-based education in schools. Routledge.
  • Trilling, B., & Fadel, C. (2009). 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times. Jossey-Bass.
  • UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. UNESCO.
  • Vescio, V., Ross, D., & Adams, A. (2008). A review of research on the impact of professional learning communities on teaching practice and student learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(1), 80–91.
  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
  • Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64–70.

Hizmet İçi İngilizce Öğretmenlerinin 21. Yüzyıl Becerilerine Dair İnançları

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 198 - 219, 01.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1844586

Abstract

Bu çalışma, hizmet içi İngilizce öğretmenlerinin sınıflarında 21. yüzyıl öğrenme ve yenilik becerilerini nasıl algıladıklarını ve kullandıklarını incelemektedir. Araştırmada, kapsamlı veri elde etmek amacıyla açıklayıcı sıralı karma yöntem deseni kullanılmış; hem nicel hem de nitel veri toplama yöntemlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Kolayda örnekleme yoluyla seçilen 100 gönüllü öğretmen, 21. Yüzyıl Öğretme ve Öğrenme Anketini (Ravitz, 2014) yanıtlamış; ayrıca 15 gönüllü öğretmen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelere katılmıştır. Toplanan 100 anketten elde edilen nicel veriler ile 15 derinlemesine görüşmeden elde edilen nitel veriler analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, öğretmenlerin 21. yüzyıl becerilerinin önemini kabul etmelerine rağmen, yetersiz hizmet içi eğitimlerin, bu becerileri İngilizce derslerinde etkili bir biçimde uygulamalarını sınırladığını ortaya koymuştur. Bu doğrultuda çalışma, öğretmenlerin bu alandaki anlayışlarını genişletmek ve uygulamaya yönelik yeterliklerini güçlendirmek amacıyla odaklanmış mesleki gelişim programlarına duyulan gereksinimi vurgulamaktadır.

References

  • Alharbi, N. S. (2024). Exploring the perspectives of cross-cultural instructors on integrating 21st century skills into EFL university courses. Frontiers in Education, 9, Article 1302608. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1302608
  • Bebell, D., & Kay, R. (2010). One-to-one computing: A summary of the quantitative results from the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative. Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment, 9(2), 1–60.
  • Bedir, H. (2019). Pre-service ELT teachers’ beliefs and perceptions on 21st century learning and innovation skills (4Cs). Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 231–246.
  • Binkley, M., Erstad, O., Herman, J., Raizen, S., Ripley, M., Miller‐Ricci, M., & Rumble, M. (2012). Defining twenty-first century skills. In P. Griffin, B. McGaw, & E. Care (Eds.), Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 17–66). Springer.
  • Black, R. W. (2009). English-language learners, fan communities, and 21st-century skills. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 52(8), 688–697.
  • Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Multilingual Matters.
  • Chen, D. (2021). Toward an understanding of 21st-century skills: A systematic review. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-021-09472-3
  • Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Darling-Hammond, L. (2017). Teaching for deeper learning. Harvard Education Press.
  • Dede, C. (2007). Transforming education for the 21st century: New pedagogies that help all students attain sophisticated learning outcomes. NCSU Friday Institute.
  • Fullan, M. (2013). Stratosphere: Integrating technology, pedagogy, and change knowledge. Pearson.
  • Gruenewald, D. A. (2003). The best of both worlds: A critical pedagogy of place. Educational Researcher, 32(4), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X032004003
  • Jacobson-Lundeberg, V. (2016). Pedagogical implementation of 21st century skills. Educational Leadership and Administration: Teaching and Program Development, 27, 82–100.
  • Kan, A. Ü., & Murat, A. (2018). Investigation of prospective science teachers’ 21st century skill competence perceptions and attitudes toward STEM. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 10(4), 251–272.
  • Levy, F., & Murnane, R. J. (2004). The new division of labor: How computers are creating the next job market. Princeton University Press.
  • Mankara, P. V. (2020). Integrating 21st century skills in English language teaching: An overview. Language & Literature, 10–24.
  • Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054.
  • Monib, W. K. (2023). Implementation of 21st century skills in EFL classroom: Perceptions of lecturers and students. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences, 5(3), 536–559. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.544
  • Orhan Göksün, D., & Kurt, A. (2017). The relationship between pre-service teachers’ use of 21st century learner skills and 21st century teacher skills. Education and Science, 42(190), 107–130. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2017.7089
  • Pardede, P. (2020). Secondary school students’ perception of ICT use in EFL classroom. Journal of English Teaching, 6(3), 246–259.
  • Ravitz, J. (2014). A survey for measuring 21st century teaching and learning: West Virginia 21st Century Teaching and Learning Survey (WVDE-CIS-28). West Virginia Department of Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED565466.pdf
  • Rotherham, A. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2010). 21st-century skills: Not new, but a worthy challenge. American Educator, 34(1), 17–20.
  • Rushkoff, D. (2019, December 29). We’ve spent the decade letting our tech define us. It’s out of control. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com
  • Saunders, M. N. (2012). Choosing research participants. In G. Symon & C. Cassell (Eds.), Qualitative organizational research: Core methods and current challenges (pp. 35–52). SAGE Publications.
  • Shadiev, R., & Wang, X. (2022). A review of research on technology-supported language learning and 21st century skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 897689. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897689
  • Silva, E. (2009). Measuring skills for 21st-century learning. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(9), 630–634.
  • Smith, G. A., & Sobel, D. (2010). Place- and community-based education in schools. Routledge.
  • Trilling, B., & Fadel, C. (2009). 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times. Jossey-Bass.
  • UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. UNESCO.
  • Vescio, V., Ross, D., & Adams, A. (2008). A review of research on the impact of professional learning communities on teaching practice and student learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(1), 80–91.
  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
  • Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64–70.
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Applied Linguistics and Educational Linguistics
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Şeyda Savran Çelik 0000-0001-7230-8993

Dinçay Köksal 0000-0002-8681-4093

Submission Date December 18, 2025
Acceptance Date December 25, 2025
Publication Date January 1, 2026
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 14 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Savran Çelik, Ş., & Köksal, D. (2026). IN-SERVICE ENGLISH TEACHERS’ BELIEFS ABOUT 21ST CENTURY SKILLS. ELT Research Journal, 14(2), 198-219. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1844586