Deniz Ortaçtepe

This Is Called Free-Falling Theory Not Culture Shock!: A Narrative Inquiry on Second Language Socialization.

Grounded in the framework of second language socialization, this study explores the identity (re)construction of Erol, a Turkish doctoral student in the United States. Drawn from a larger corpus collected for a longitudinal, mixed-method research, the data for this study came from autobiographies, journal entries, and semistructured interviews. Based on a synthesis of inductive-thematic analysis (Boyatzis, 1998), as well as deductive approaches through the use of three sensitizing concepts—investment (Norton, 1995), cultural capital (Bourdieu, 1977), and audibility (Miller, 2003)—Erols social identity (re)construction was marked with struggle: first, to gain social networks and, second, to be recognized within the target language community. Erols story, while providing evidence for the role of affective and socially structured variables in enabling language learners’ access to social interactions, also draws attention to the need for more research at the discourse level to explore how power relations within speech communities influence the nature of interaction between international students and the host culture.

EFL Teachers’ Identity (Re)Construction as Teachers of Intercultural Competence: A Language Socialization Approach

Adapting Norton’s (2000) notion of investment as an analytical lens along with thematic analysis, this longitudinal/narrative inquiry explores how 2 EFL teachers’ language socialization in the United States resulted in an identity (re)construction as teachers of intercultural competence. Baris and Serkan’s language socialization in the United States was marked with 3 identity investments: as an experienced EFL teacher, as an L2 user, and as a burgeoning scholar. The findings highlighted that teacher identities are not unitary, fixed, or stable but dynamic, situated, multiple (e.g., Norton Peirce, 1995; Varghese, Morgan, Johnston, & Johnson, 2005), and even sometimes blurred (e.g., Ochs, 1993).

An exploratory study of visually impaired students' perceptions of inclusive mathematics education

The Turkish Disability Act introduced inclusive education to Turkey as a solution to the problems experienced by students with disabilities, including visually impaired students. The main purpose of this study was to explore the challenges faced by visually impaired students learning high school mathematics in inclusive classrooms in Turkey. The data were qualitative, consisting of interviews conducted with three high school graduates; they were analysed using the constant comparison method. In the interviews, students described the effects of various teaching methods on their learning and evaluated the social aspect (broadly speaking) of inclusive education. The results show that while the social needs of visually impaired Turkish students were adequately met through inclusive education, their academic needs were not, which we speculate to be partly because of mathematics teachers’ negative attitudes towards inclusive education.

The identity (re)construction of nonnative English teachers stepping into native Turkish teachers’ shoes

ABSTRACT The present study explored the identity (re)construction of five nonnative English teachers who went to the USA on a prestigious scholarship for one year to teach their native language, Turkish. In that sense, it investigated how this shift from being a nonnative English teacher to a native Turkish teacher influenced their self-image, self-efficacy, and beliefs about teaching/learning. The data were collected mainly through three different instruments: a personal data questionnaire, ongoing controlled journals along with follow-up questions, and interviews. All the qualitative data were first analyzed according to Boyatzis’ [(1998). Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. Sage) thematic analysis, and then the emerging themes were related to three sensitizing concepts, which were (a) self-image, (b) self-efficacy, and (c) beliefs about teaching and learning. The findings revealed that (a) the participating teachers in this study had high(er) self-efficacy but low(er) self-image when teaching English compared to Turkish because of their idealization of native speaker norms; (b) their multiple identities were interacting with each other, and shifting from being a native to a nonnative, and a language teacher to a language user; and (c) their beliefs about teaching and learning coming from their core identity as an English language teacher worked as a catalyst in this process.

Using webcasts for student presentations: a case study

Purpose – Adopting Davis’ (1989) technology acceptance model (TAM), the purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived differences between asynchronous presentation tools (webcasts) and in-person presentations in a graduate program designed for the professional development of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers at a private university in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected for the three different types of presentations (i.e. in-person, video, and Prezi webcasts) the students performed in four different courses throughout the 2013-2014 academic year. Findings – The analysis of the data coming from a three-part questionnaire revealed that students preferred in class presentations for learning purposes but agreed that webcasts were higher in quality as they included audio-visual materials. This study also concluded that for procedural knowledge that came from hands-on activities, students preferred in-person presentations, while for conceptual knowledge, Prezi webcasts w...