1997 Education Reform

Compulsory primary education was extended to 8 years for all students.

Behaviourist approach to education was adopted.

Lowering the starting age to learn English to primary education, MNE aimed at teaching learners four skills for communicative purposes.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 1997? (REGARDING TO ELT)

New Education Reform

English language started to be taught to students in the 4th grade in primary schools.

In this way, learners were able to interact with people from other countries, which was regarded as the sign of global citizenship.

Teacher training departments were reshaped, increasing the number of methodology courses, as well as extending the teaching practicum component to include both primary and secondary schools.

The MNE established the In-service English Language Teacher Training and Development Unit to organize seminars, and conduct in-service training workshops.

The MNE collaborated with a local association, The English language Teachers’ Association in Turkey.

The MNE collaborated with foreign associations: the British Council (BC) and the United States Information Agency.

English language teaching departments added a new course which was Teaching English to Young Learners. to meet youg learners' needs more effectively.

The Other Changes in 1997

At the time, it was highlighted that communication is important in a foreign language. In this sense, for the first time in Turkish history, the concept of the “communicative” approach was introduced into the ELT curriculum.

Based on the behaviorist theory, the 1997 ELTP adapted the methods of language teaching accordingly such as memorization, question-answer or repetition drills.

The MNE signed a protocol with the Open University Faculty of Anadolu University, to initiate the ‘English Language Teacher Education’ project in February 2000.

It was a four-year teacher education program and was built to meet the shortage of teachers.

The Other Changes in 1997