This document is a presentation by the "Ruffles Eaters" group about problems with foreign language education in Turkey. It includes an introduction to their topic on improving the Ministry of Education's English language program. It then reviews literature on the new 4+4+4 education system, outlines their methodology, and displays tools like a fishbone diagram and matrix. Survey results and teacher interviews suggest early English education is beneficial but not sufficient on its own. While students are more willing to learn at young ages, teachers want changes to the curriculum and exam-focused system. The group concludes more implementation and teacher training is needed for the new policy to fully realize its goals of better communication skills.

1. Ruffles Eaters!
Listen, speak, educate,
repeat!

2. Meeting Day: Tueasdays at 9:00 am, Study
Hall.
Group members:
Ayşe GÜNALAY
Gülseren BELKIRAT
Nilay Cemre ARTEMEL
Sevilay GÜNEY

3. Table of Contents
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Methodology
 Fishbone
 Matrix Diagram
 Gannt Card
 Teacher Profile
 Survey Results
 Interviews
 Conclusions
 Solutions
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4. Our problem is;
Why can not the Ministry of Education improve and start
an ideal FL program for Turkish schools?
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5. Why did we choose this topic?
Foreign language education has been problematic
before or after the new sistem has arrived. We wanted to
learn more about the new system and its positive or
negative effects.
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6. Literature Review
4+4+4
1. Why did we need these legislative changes?
-The system was changed to increase the number of university and high school
graduates to catch the standards of the world’s developed countries where the
obligatory education is at least 11-12 years.
- The system facilitates external and internal transfer regarding the development
and capability of students
6TC.MEB(2012).12 YIL ZORUNLU EĞİTİM

7. Literature Review
2. What is the current situation with this new arrangement?
- 8-year obligatory education was replaced with 12-year graded education. The first 4 years is
elementary school, the second 4 is primary education and the last 4 is high school.
- Pupils start school when they are 66-months old.
- Apart from obligatory courses, students and parents are given the chance to decide on their
elective courses.
3. When will foreign language education start?
- Foreign language education will start from the second grade as 2 hours per week
(previously fourth grade)
4. Will teachers get training for the new system?
- Teachers will have a 5-week training for 12 years compulsory education. ( especially first grade
teachers)
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8. Methodology
- First, we identified the problem and we formed a question about it.
- We carried out a survey and an interview in different schools from different
levels.
- We analyzed the results and tried to find solutions based on the results.
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9. FISHBONE
Foreign Language
Education
Environment
Facilities
System
Theory based teaching
Young learner education
Family and economic
status
Physical environment of
schools (private vs
state)
Listening materials
Updated course books
Inapplicability of the
curriculum
Constantly changing
education system
Why can not the Ministry of
Education improve and start an
ideal FL program for Turkish
schools?
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10. Matrix Diagram
MATRIX DIAGRAM
Members Foreign
Language
Education
Facilities Environment System
Ayşe 6 3 4 7
Gülseren 4 3 5 7
Nilay 7 3 4 6
Sevilay 7 4 3 6
Total %85 %46 %57 %92
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11. Gannt Card
Expected
Observed
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12. Teacher Profile
1. T 2. T 3. T 4. T 5. T 6. T
Age 29 35 31 40 29 26
Gender Female Female Female Male Male Female
City Muğla Muğla Artvin Artvin Isparta Şanlıurfa
Experience 7 12 9 15 7 4
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13. Survey Results
1-New curriculum is in line with contemporary educational research and
international standards for learning.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
13

14. 2-The new program takes the needs of young learners into account.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
14

15. 3-English teaching program in 4+4+4 system develops communicative
competence of students.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
15

16. 4-Being exposed to English in younger ages is more effective for
students’communicative skills.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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17. 5-Students develop a positive attitude towards language thanks to this
communicative based program.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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18. 6-The new curriculum foster an enjoyable and motivating learning environment
for young learners .
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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19. 7-The learning tasks in the new curriculum provide learner autonomy.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
19

20. 8-Problem solving skills which are basis for communicative competence can be
improved with the learning tasks in the new curriculum.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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21. 9-English is presented as a means of communication rather than as a subject to be
learned.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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22. 10-Because the new program is in line with students’ daily lives, it provides a
more meaningful learning environment.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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23. 11-The update language theories are regarded while preparing this new program.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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24. 12-The communicative aspect of English learning will be fostered thanks to this
program.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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25. 13-The students will be able to use English more communicatively.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
25

26. 14-English teaching program in 4+4+4 system develops communicative
competence of students.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
26

27. 15-Being able to speak English makes students more self-confident in language
use.
Totaly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
Totaly agree
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28. Interviews
• Do you think English class hours a week are sufficient for language learning ?
-Generally, teachers think the class hours are sufficient for elementary level but
not for upper grades.
• What kind of advantages and disadvantages in new system (4+4+4) do you
experience with your students?
-The common idea is that beginning language learning at earlier ages is useful
because unlike other older students, young learners learn the language via
songs, games rather than focusing on exams.
• If you compare old system with new one, what can you say about the difference
in English teaching?
-Apart from starting language learning earlier, teachers state that that is not much
difference in terms of curriculum or teaching approach.
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29. Interviews
• Do you think the attitude of the students towards English has changed through
the new system?
-Majority of the teachers state that there is not a significant difference on the
attitudes of students, however some teachers assert that students are more
eager to learn at early ages.
• Do you think this new system will foster communicative language teaching?
-Almost all teachers agree that students are not hesitant to learn and act at early
ages so this will foster communicate language learning and teaching.
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30. Conclusion
• We tried to briefly talk about the 4+4+4 system and collected data with a survey
and interviews conducted in different schools, with different teachers.
• One of the general results is that it is too early to decide on the effects of the new
system on the long run.
• Although there is not a big difference in the curriculum, it is still beneficial
because students at early ages are not hesitant to act and make mistakes.
Therefore, they learn the language in a safer environment.
• Teachers expect a change in the curriculum as well, and they wish students to be
released of exam oriented education so that they can enjoy learning.
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31. Solutions
“Implimentation should be to the point when policy is being formulated.
Additionally, teachers hold great responsibility in enacting the policy into
practise.” (Goodwyn and Findlay, 2003)
“No matter how desirable language policies may be, unless they are backed by
the will to implement them, they can not be all any effect.” (Bamgbose,2003)
“University teacher education programs should be revised and updated to train
competent teachers.” (Kırkgöz, 2008)
“Teachers from different schools should come together and cooperate
concerning many aspects of policy implementations. This would give teachers a
chance to learn from others in similar positions. Thereby, contributing towards
teachers’ professional development.” (Carless, 1997)
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32. References
• Bamgbose, A. (2003). A recurring decimal: English in language policy and planning.
World Englishes, 22(4), 419-431.
• Carless, D. R. (1997). Managing systematic curriculum change: A critical analysis of Hong
Kong’s target-oriented curriculum initiative. International Review of Education,
43(4),349-366.
• Goodwyn, A., & Findlay, K. (2003). Shaping literacy in the secondary school: Policy,
practice and agency in the age of the national literacy strategy. British Journal of
Educational Studies, 51(1), 20-35.
• Imece Circles by Dr Hayal Koksal
• Kırkgöz, Y. (2008). Globalization and English Language Policy in Turkey.Educational
Policy, 23, 663.
• TC, MEB. (2012). 12 YIL ZORUNLU EĞİTİM SORULAR - CEVAPLAR. . Retrieved April 26,
2014,fromhttp://www.meb.gov.tr/duyurular/duyurular2012/12Yil_Soru_Cevaplar.pdf
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33. Thank you for listening 
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34. Special thanks to
Dr. Hayal KÖKSAL
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