Perceptions of English Language Teachers of Fourth and Fifth Graders at Primary Schools on Various Dimensions of Future In-Service Training (Inset) Programs

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions of primary school English language teachers of fourth and fifth graders on various dimensions of future in-service training (INSET) programs for improving their English Language teaching skills. The subjects of this study were English language teachers at various primary schools in the city center of Bolu. During the study, the quantitative data was collected by means of an opinionnaire developed by the researcher. The results of this study highlighted that the objectives of future INSET programs should be mainly on the teaching of four basic language skills and on the effective use of visual course materials. The results related to the content of future in-service training programs indicated that these should be on how to improve the cognitive and affective characteristics of fourth and fifth year students and on how to implement visual course materials and language teaching activities while teaching English. The results indicated that the learning situations of future INSET programs should keep a balance between the theoretical and application dimensions of the topic areas and that evaluation procedures of future INSET programs should be made at the end of the programs and should especially emphasize the theoretical aspects of the program implemented.