Issues Related To English Language Teaching At Primary Schools And Suggested Solutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, it aims to examine Turkish Educational Policy with regard to English Language Teaching (ELT) at primary school level and then identify positive and negative sides both at the theoretical and practical level. Secondly it attempts to make some suggestions related to primary school ELT curriculum and teacher education. The studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of primary school ELT curriculum unveiled that; though teachers are contented with the fact that English language teaching starts at earlier grades, they indicated a myriad of problems related to assessment, quality of textbooks, technical infrastructure, teaching materials, physical conditions of the classrooms, class hours, in-service trainings, and so on. In the light of detected problems, some pedagogical suggestions related to primary school ELT curriculum and teacher education were made.