English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study

Esra Kerimoğlu; Sertel Altun

doi:10.31704/ijocis.1749779

English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study

Abstract

Although centralized education systems mandate uniform curricula, the implementation of these policies varies across institutional contexts. Drawing on a sociocultural perspective of curriculum enactment and teacher cognition, this multiple-case study investigates how English language instruction is conceptualized and enacted in one public and one private middle school in Istanbul, Türkiye, both operating under the same Ministry of National Education (MoNE) framework. Participants included two vice-principals and nine English teachers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis (MoNE’s 2018 ELT curriculum and institutional documents), and examination of visual representations of school environments. Using inductive qualitative content analysis and systematic cross-case synthesis, the study identified four overarching themes: (1) learning environment as a pedagogical message, (2) institutional conceptions of English instruction, (3) teacher cognition and beliefs about language learning, and (4) curriculum enactment tensions between policy and pedagogy. These findings indicate that although both schools explicitly endorse communicative and learner-centered principles, enactment differs substantially. In the public school, English instruction is shaped by exam-oriented pressures, large class sizes, and pragmatic instructional adaptations. In contrast, the private school enacts the curriculum through enriched programs, process-oriented pedagogies, and institutional support. The study demonstrates that differences in ELT practices stem not from curriculum design but from institutional conditions mediating curriculum enactment, highlighting the need for context-sensitive curriculum policies and leadership practices with implications for curriculum policy, school leadership, and teacher education.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received no funding.

Project Number

N/A

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by Yildiz Technical University Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee under the number 20230502108 on May 3, 2023. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants for their anonymized information to be published in this article.

Thanks

N/A

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Curriculum and Instration (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Esra Kerimoğlu ^*
0000-0002-7004-3175
Türkiye

Sertel Altun
0000-0002-1951-5181
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

April 28, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

August 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31704/ijocis.1749779

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26MP33YZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kerimoğlu, E., & Altun, S. (2026). English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.31704/ijocis.1749779

AMA

1.Kerimoğlu E, Altun S. English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study. IJOCIS. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.31704/ijocis.1749779

Chicago

Kerimoğlu, Esra, and Sertel Altun. 2026. “English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study”. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.31704/ijocis.1749779.

EndNote

Kerimoğlu E, Altun S (April 1, 2026) English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]E. Kerimoğlu and S. Altun, “English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study”, IJOCIS, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.31704/ijocis.1749779.

ISNAD

Kerimoğlu, Esra - Altun, Sertel. “English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study”. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies. Advanced Online Publication (April 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31704/ijocis.1749779.

JAMA

1.Kerimoğlu E, Altun S. English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study. IJOCIS. 2026. doi:10.31704/ijocis.1749779.

MLA

Kerimoğlu, Esra, and Sertel Altun. “English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study”. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, doi:10.31704/ijocis.1749779.

Vancouver

1.Esra Kerimoğlu, Sertel Altun. English Language Instruction in Public and Private Middle Schools in Istanbul: A Comparative Two-Case Study. IJOCIS. 2026 Apr. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.31704/ijocis.1749779