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This study analyzes the alignment between the educational policy of Turkey and high-stakes tests administered for students transitioning from secondary to high school. Research questions focus on the opinions of secondary school teachers about the alignment between transit exam questions and curricula, course books and materials, and their views on high-stakes testing. The research used a survey study model utilizing the triangulation design. A total of 109 teachers from six different majors working in Ankara participated in the study. An online survey consisting of eight questions was used to get teachers' opinions. The research question was analyzed using quantitative (percentages) and qualitative (content analysis) methods. Results showed that education serves dominantly for tests emphasizing a testing-oriented education system in the current Turkish learning and teaching process, which contrasts with education policy documents targeting 2023.

This study evaluates the 2017 updated secondary school English curriculum of Turkey with the frame of Stake's (1967) congruence-contingency model. The study employed a mixed-methods research design. In this regard, triangulation was employed to provide data diversity. Four different data gathering tools were used: document analysis, interviews, structured questionnaires and in-class observations. The questionnaire data were gathered from 96 English language teachers, working in various cities of Turkey, and the interviews were conducted with seven English language teachers working at a public school in Ankara. In addition, classroom observations were conducted at four different classes in the same school. The findings of the study indicated that teachers considered the updated curriculum suitable and effective. However, in-class observations displayed that there are important gaps in bridging theory and practice. Thus, if there is a huge gap between what was intended and what was carried out, then first, an English as a foreign language education policy document should be prepared, and a unique foreign language-teaching ecosystem to include all stakeholders should be targeted.

This study aims to determine the needs of primary school teachers concerning their expectations from an in-service program to foster their English language teaching competencies and develop such an in-service program draft. Data were collected from 10 primary school teachers working in schools in Ankara where there are currently no appointed English language teachers and from 3 academics working in the field of English language teaching. For data collection, an in-depth interview was used to determine the needs of primary school teachers from an in service program; and a structured questionnaire was used to identify the opinions of the academics on the suitability of the proposed program. The results demonstrate that primary school teachers are in need of such an in-service training program and they specifically need training on teaching methods and techniques of English, basic pronunciation patterns, use of thematic instruction, use of software to teach English and alternative assessment methods. Considering these needs of the primary school teachers who teach English, an in-service training program was developed and finalized by the opinions of the academics. With the dissemination of this program, an important need of classroom teachers can be met in the short run.