English Language Teaching

a) Introduction to the Department

The English Language Teaching Undergraduate Program at Hasan Kalyoncu University admitted its first

students in 2015. Since its foundation, in line with changing education policies, current language teaching

approaches and technological developments, the program has been continuously updated and

renewed.

The aim of the English Language Teaching program is to train competent English teachers and researchers who are equipped with contemporary knowledge and skills in the field of foreign language teaching, have advanced English proficiency, can use technology effectively, can establish connections across fields, possess scientific, critical and creative thinking skills, and have adopted lifelong learning as a principle. Training well-equipped English teachers who follow and can evaluate the contemporary principles, methods and techniques developed in the field of English Language Teaching, can put them into practice in light of student needs, know the ways of accessing sources of information, continuously improve themselves professionally and socially, can contribute to the solution of problems in language teaching, and possess effective communication skills are the main objectives of our department.

Mission and Vision of the Program

The vision of the Department of Foreign Language Education is, in keeping with Hasan Kalyoncu University's vision of “becoming a respected university that draws inspiration from traditional values, integrates with universal culture and shapes the future; that brings sustainable solutions to social problems with an international, interdisciplinary, constructivist and innovative perspective; and that, through its research activities and international collaborations, is nationally and internationally recognized and preferred in “science”, “culture”, “art” and “technology” endeavors and ranks among the world's universities,” to train well-equipped English teachers who embrace human rights and will serve in private and public schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education.

It is to train competent English teachers and researchers who follow and can evaluate the contemporary principles, methods and techniques developed in the field of English Language Education, can put them into practice in light of student needs, know the ways of accessing sources of information, continuously improve themselves professionally and socially, can contribute to the solution of problems in language teaching, possess effective communication skills, can use technology effectively, can establish connections across fields, possess scientific, critical and creative thinking skills, and have adopted lifelong learning as a principle.

b) Undergraduate Program and Course Content

Our program offers both subject-area knowledge and teaching profession knowledge courses in a balanced manner. Our students learn contemporary foreign language teaching approaches, technology-supported teaching methods and in-class practices in a holistic way.

The teaching activities carried out in our department are structured to ensure that students attain the competencies defined for the field of study. In this direction, throughout the program, students demonstrate the knowledge they acquire in both theoretical and practice-oriented courses through various products and applications.

Students' competencies in subject-area knowledge are monitored through the work they carry out in content areas such as linguistics, language acquisition, the structure of English, and writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. In these courses, students demonstrate their command of the subject through various exams, presentations and performance-based applications.

Competencies in pedagogical content knowledge, in turn, are developed within the scope of the use of teaching principles and methods, knowledge of measurement and evaluation, materials development and lesson planning skills. Students prepare lesson plans, write teaching scenarios and experience them through micro-teaching or teaching practicums. The lesson plans, teaching materials, reflective journals and practicum portfolios prepared in this process constitute important indicators of students' pedagogical competencies.

Students' curriculum knowledge competencies, in turn, are monitored through their analysis of current English curricula, their design of activities in line with the learning outcomes, and their comparison of various education programs. These competencies are assessed through the planning documents prepared by students, curriculum analysis reports and their performance in teaching practices. In all these processes, students' products and practices are evaluated by faculty members according to multidimensional assessment criteria; when necessary, feedback is also obtained from practicum teachers. In addition, students' professional development processes are systematically monitored and evaluated through the performances they display during the teaching practicum, the portfolios they prepare and reflective reports.

c) Post-Graduation Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the English Language Teaching undergraduate program;

● Can be appointed as English teachers in public and private schools affiliated with the Ministry of National

Education,

● Can work in private language courses, study centers and institutions providing foreign language education,

● Can continue their academic careers by applying to domestic and international graduate

programs.

● There are also job opportunities in the foreign relations sector.

● Can find opportunities to work in positions requiring language skills.

● In addition, by obtaining internationally recognized foreign language certificates (TESOL, CELTA, etc.), they can gain employment opportunities in different countries as well.

● By participating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) certificate program provided by the Hasan Kalyoncu University Continuing Education Center, they find the opportunity to work in international IB schools.

d) Academic Staff of the Department

The academic staff serving in our Department consists of qualified faculty members specialized in different fields such as English Language Teaching, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Educational Technologies and Teacher Training:

● 1 Associate Professor

○ Assoc. Prof. Seda Sıvacı

Areas of Expertise: Teaching language skills, English Language Teaching, Teacher Education

● 4 Assistant Professors

○ Asst. Prof. Şeyma Yıldırım

Areas of expertise: Teacher education, English Language Teaching, Teaching Foreign Languages to Children

○ Asst. Prof. Fatma Çiloğlan Konur

Areas of Expertise: Teacher education, English Language Teaching, English Literature

○ Asst. Prof. Mehmet Salih Yoğun

Areas of Expertise: Teacher education, English Language Teaching, School Administration

Asst. Prof. Zekeriya Durmaz

Areas of Expertise: Teacher Education, English Language Teaching, English Literature

● 2 Research Assistants

○ Res. Asst. Büşra Nur Durmaz

○ Res. Asst. Berkay Temiz

Our staff continuously keeps their field knowledge up to date through scientific studies, projects and international publications that support the development of prospective teachers.

e) Student Activities, Societies and Projects

English Language Teaching students also take an active role in extracurricular activities. Our department encourages students' participation in activities that support their personal and professional development. In order to develop and support our students' professional knowledge and skills, ELT Symposiums are organized by our department and student participation is encouraged. They carry out TÜBİTAK 2209-A projects and continue their professional development in the academic field by presenting papers at various national/international conferences.

The student society named ELT Club, founded by our department's students, organizes activities such as speaking clubs for different levels, giving our students the chance to gain experience in teaching and in managing a student society.

The social responsibility projects carried out within the framework of the Community Service Practices course enable students to develop sensitivity toward society; they contribute to students gaining experience in working with different profiles of people and adopting an inclusive understanding of education. In this context, students develop a sense of responsibility based on national, spiritual, universal and ethical values, and gain a more conscious understanding of the role of the teaching profession within society.

f) Teaching Practicum

Within the program, applied courses are carried out in various public schools in line with the protocols signed with the Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of National Education. When our students advance to the 4th year, they do regular weekly internships in primary, middle and high schools affiliated with MEB within the scope of the Teaching Practicum 1-2 courses.

g) Collaborations with Research Centers

In addition, the following collaborations are in place:

● HKU Continuing Education Center (HKUSEM): Certificate programs and teacher training

(International Baccalaureate)

● Erasmus+ Exchange Program: The opportunity to study at European universities and to do an internship abroad after graduation