Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University

Teachers’ methods, students’ perceptions in the prep-class and the literature review related show that determining language teaching methods and taking students’ needs and perceptions into consideration in prep-classes could considerably affect the language learning process. Thus, this current study...

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Main Author: Ceyhun Yükselir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Literacy Trek 2018-06-01
Series:Literacy Trek
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dergipark.gov.tr/literacytrek/issue/38066/419076
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author Ceyhun Yükselir
author_facet Ceyhun Yükselir
author_sort Ceyhun Yükselir
collection DOAJ
description Teachers’ methods, students’ perceptions in the prep-class and the literature review related show that determining language teaching methods and taking students’ needs and perceptions into consideration in prep-classes could considerably affect the language learning process. Thus, this current study aims to examine the expectations of Turkish prep-class students who studied for one-year in optional prep-classes. A mixed methods convergent design was employed, using an adapted needs analysis questionnaire and unstructured interviews. The sample consisted of 110 graduate prep-class students from different departments in a state university. The results indicate that the majority of Turkish prep-class students think enrolling in the prep-class program is necessary; however, they lost their motivation for some reasons due to learning processes, systems or subjective factors. Besides, they expressed that materials were not suitable enough to improve their level of English and, in general, the prep-class program failed to meet their expectations in relation to program content and language learning processes. Regarding the four language skills, they expressed that productive skills should be given much more importance rather than receptive skills. In conclusion, instructors should try to motivate students more with the help of a variety of authentic materials and technological facilities and they should create an atmosphere in which productive skills are improved. Furthermore, the study suggests that the continuation of language learning processes should be ensured throughout the undergraduate program period, not just in the prep-class and makes some practical recommendations for researchers and educators.
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spelling doaj.art-90027a4661fe42c189e2fd9fd1fafa7c2023-02-15T16:16:08ZengLiteracy TrekLiteracy Trek2602-37682018-06-01413748Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish UniversityCeyhun Yükselir0Osmaniye Korkut Ata UniversityTeachers’ methods, students’ perceptions in the prep-class and the literature review related show that determining language teaching methods and taking students’ needs and perceptions into consideration in prep-classes could considerably affect the language learning process. Thus, this current study aims to examine the expectations of Turkish prep-class students who studied for one-year in optional prep-classes. A mixed methods convergent design was employed, using an adapted needs analysis questionnaire and unstructured interviews. The sample consisted of 110 graduate prep-class students from different departments in a state university. The results indicate that the majority of Turkish prep-class students think enrolling in the prep-class program is necessary; however, they lost their motivation for some reasons due to learning processes, systems or subjective factors. Besides, they expressed that materials were not suitable enough to improve their level of English and, in general, the prep-class program failed to meet their expectations in relation to program content and language learning processes. Regarding the four language skills, they expressed that productive skills should be given much more importance rather than receptive skills. In conclusion, instructors should try to motivate students more with the help of a variety of authentic materials and technological facilities and they should create an atmosphere in which productive skills are improved. Furthermore, the study suggests that the continuation of language learning processes should be ensured throughout the undergraduate program period, not just in the prep-class and makes some practical recommendations for researchers and educators.http://dergipark.gov.tr/literacytrek/issue/38066/419076perceptionsneed analysisoptional English preparatory programprep-class students
spellingShingle Ceyhun Yükselir
Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University
Literacy Trek
perceptions
need analysis
optional English preparatory program
prep-class students
title Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University
title_full Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University
title_fullStr Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University
title_full_unstemmed Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University
title_short Students’ Perceptions of Optional English Preparatory Program: A Case Study in a Turkish University
title_sort students perceptions of optional english preparatory program a case study in a turkish university
topic perceptions
need analysis
optional English preparatory program
prep-class students
url http://dergipark.gov.tr/literacytrek/issue/38066/419076
work_keys_str_mv AT ceyhunyukselir studentsperceptionsofoptionalenglishpreparatoryprogramacasestudyinaturkishuniversity