Developing a Modular In-Service Training Program to Improve Teaching Skills of Primary School Teachers of English in Turkey

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.