This study examines second language (L2) learners' perspectives regarding the affordances and challenges of using the Data-Driven Learning (DDL) to identify the properties of near-synonymous words. Employing a convergent mixed-method design, this study deciphers the perceptions of 40 undergraduate L2 learners majoring in English language teaching.…

This study investigated the effects of instructor presence in instructional videos on learning and learners' emotional engagement. Sixty-six learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) at a Turkish university watched an English instructional video with either high-level instructor presence (whiteboard), low-level instructor presence…

Although the key role of utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in foreign language learning and language teacher education is well-established in the literature, understanding the extent to which the student teachers of English are aware of and proficient in using ICT tools remains a key consideration. Therefore, this…

This paper investigates trainee teachers' preferences for English pronunciation and accent, enrolled in a teacher education program in Turkey with respect to listening activities, after they have familiarized themselves with the diverse English accents. Data has been gathered through semi-open-ended questionnaires, which are later analysed with…

The present study aims to explore English as a Foreign Language (hereafter EFL) instructors? recognition of count-mass distinction regarding the concept of individuation and judgment of quantity. Accordingly, fifteen EFL instructors recruited from different public universities in Turkey were asked to write the plural forms of a sum of fifty count…

This study aims to examine English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' perceptions of the factors influencing their in-class willingness to communicate (WTC) in English. Having been selected through criterion sampling method, the participants consisted of 32 undergraduate EFL learners who took the English course at Balikesir University in…

Employing drama activities in foreign language classes has proved to help language learners improve their skills. Within the context of drama course offered in an English Language Teacher Education program in Turkey, the present study suggests some drama activities based on well-known Nasreddin Hodja jokes. The study aims to find answers to…

The study aims to discover whether audio or video modality in a listening test is more beneficial to test takers. In this study, the posttest-only control group design was utilized and quantitative data were collected in order to measure participant performances concerning two types of modality (audio or video) in a listening test. The…

This study examines the effects of working memory capacity and content familiarity on literal and inferential comprehension in second language (L2) reading. Participants were 62 Turkish university students with an advanced English proficiency level. Working memory capacity was measured through a computerized version of a reading span test, whereas…

This study investigated whether cultural familiarity influences comprehension of short stories and whether nativizing the story or using reading activities can compensate for the lack of such familiarity. The study was conducted with 44 advanced-level students of English at a state university in Turkey. In a 2 x 2 experimental research design, the…

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the nature of the topics of the reading passages in ELT coursebooks. To find out the content of the topics, a total number of 15 ELT coursebooks are studied by using both quantitative and qualitative measures. The discrepancies found are discussed and recommendations are made to underline the importance of…