Conference Sessions
April 26, 2013
Opening Plenary:
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Seminar Saloon II)
The participants are welcomed by:
Prof. Dr. Adem Esen, Rector, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Prof. Dr. Ömer İnan, Vice-Rector, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Yılgör, Department of ELT, Symposium Chair
Plenary Session I
Session Chair
Iryna Semeniuk
9:30 to 10:20 a.m. (Seminar Saloon II)
Prof. Cynthia McPhail, the chair of the Department of Language, Literacy and Technology in
the School of Education at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY.
The Critical Importance of Student Participation and Interaction in the ETL Class.
Plenary Session II
Session Chair
Yasar Cinemre
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Seminar Saloon II)
Prof. Olga Byessonova, DrSc., the head of the English Philology Department at Donetsk
National University (Ukraine), professor of the Department of British and American Studies at
the University of SS Cyril and Methodius in Trnava (Slovakia).
Transformation of the National Assessment System: Shaping the Future (Ukraine’s
Experience).
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Session III Use of Computers, Video, Audio, in EFL classes
11:40 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Session Chair
Mehmet Demirezen
(Seminar Saloon II)
Mehmet Demirezen
Hacettepe University (Turkey)
Demonstration of the functions of the rising-falling terminal juncture in English by
Computer
By nature, in the rising-falling terminal juncture the pitch of the voice changes from low to close
to high and falls down to low again in English. Normally, sarcasm, surprise, interest, and
enthusiasm, are expressed by this phoneme, but they are mostly not understood by Turkish
English teachers. Therefore, it must be analyzed.
Zakia DJEBBARI
Tlemcen University (Algeria)
M-learning: Towards Renovating the Delivery of Education and Training
“The way to bring a language to life is to be able to converse in it every day” Mary Hanafin.
Therefore, in this digital time where technology governs every aspect of our daily life, it is
crucial for teachers to be able to insert technological aids to motivate their learners and keep pace
with the latest technologies. M-learning or Mobile Learning appears to be a newly adopted
technique within the teaching and learning of languages. Thus, the present paper attempts to
introduce mobiles in the world of language education.
Müfit Şenel
Deren Başak Akman
Ondokuz Mayıs University (Turkey)
Web-based Content-based Teaching Writing
The aim of this paper is to give an idea about teaching writing skills with Content-based
Instruction through websites. It will provide learners with the opportunities to learn and practice
writing skills in its natural settings in a contextualized way by the help of Web 2.0.
Handan YURTDAKAL
İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Turkey)
Cansel YILMAZ
Beykoz MYO
Use of Computers, Video, Audio, in EFL classes
How to use technology in EFL classes. Advantages and disadvantages of using technology in
classroom.
Session IV Methods of Language Teaching and Learning 11:40 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Session Chair
İbrahim Yılgör
(Seminar Saloon I)
Renan Saylag
Istanbul Bahcesehir University (Turkey)
An indepth analysis of intercultural communication in tourism English: A diagnostic,
prognostic Approach
Much has been done in terms of target language use and proficiency, but not so many things have
been mentioned about culture related language use in ESP settings. This study aims to shed light
on intercultural communication problems while using foreign language in tourism industry. In
the framework of the study, English for specific purposes together with sociolinguistic
parameters will be analyzed. In addition whether these parameters render effective
communication in Guest Relations department as useful or useless can be analyzed. This study
will be approached and analyzed with a critical, analytical, argumentative and descriptive
perspective. The view of employees, whether they suffer from some misunderstandings due to
intercultural communication and if this situation affects their departments’ success or not has
been analyzed upon the results of the interviews done with the Guest Relations officers at Royal
Carrebean Cruise Lines in USA. The results of the study have shown that their business could
be more effective if these intercultural differences while using English is included in detail in
staff education and training programs. As for the recommendations of the study a staff
communication program in intercultural settings within the use of English as a second language
have been recommended.
RASHIT EMINI
SEE UNIVERSITY (Macedonia)
Improving English Language teaching and learning through continuous student assessment
This research paper explores the effects of continuous student assessment on quality teaching and
learning of English. The sample of this research paper consists of an evaluative analysis of a
preintermediate experimental group, results from the assessment of preintermediate groups , and
the results from the final exams of the assessed preintermediate groups in the Language Center at
South East European University in Tetovo. The instruments were developed so that they provide
some useful and concrete data to assess whether or not continuous assessment increases the
quality of teaching and students’ learning and enables better attainment of the learning outcomes
set at the beginning of each academic year in the course syllabus. To do that a couple of
achievement tests were used with the experimental group, as well as instruments such as quizzes,
in-class tasks, homework. In addition to this information, results from the achievement tests with
other groups of the same level were compared to their final exam results to measure the learning
outcomes vis-a-vis their final grades The findings of the research paper supports the hypothysis
that continuous student assessment has positive effects on their overall performance in both the
achievement tests at the end of semester as well as in the final exams.
Faris Keblawi
Al-Qasemi High School (Saudi Arabia)
Language testing and learners' motivation: What is the relation?
Language tests are extensively used as assessment tools in many second language educational
settings around the world. Tests might exert detrimental or beneficial impact on many aspects of
language learning and teaching under different circumstances. One area in which tests seem to
have a crucial influence but which has received meager attention is that of language learning
motivation. The goal of the present qualitative study is to examine the ways in which tests can
affect language learners' motivation. More specifically, the current study endeavors to answer the
following two main questions: When can language tests demotivate learners? When can
language tests motivate learners?
Helena Byrne
Ozel Beylikduzu Fatih Fen Lisesi (Turkey)
Reflective Practice – How to get started.
In this presentation we will discuss the different forms of reflective practice and how to form a
group. The aim of a reflective practice group is for teachers to come together to reflect on their
work so that they can help each other become more aware of what they do and why they do it.
Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Session V Methods of Language Teaching and Learning 2:00 to 3:20 p.m.
Session Chair
Abdulkasim Varli
(Seminar Saloon II)
Hakan Dilman
Maltepe University (Turkey)
Two dimension of the lexical competence: Vocabulary Size and Depth
Vocabulary size and depth are two important dimensions of the lexical competence. As L2
learners mostly learn the denotative meaning of the words given in their classes their language
use is limited. A new classroom application for vocabulary teaching should be put into practice
especially in non-native language learning environments.
Mehmet Demirezen
Hacettepe University (Turkey)
Falling terminal juncture as an intonation difficulty for language teachers and
demonstration by computer
The functions and usages of falling terminal juncture phoneme in the intonation of English are
mostly confused by a great majority of Turkish English teachers and students. Since there are
other cases types of junctures that mark the ends of utterances, a serious confusion of meaning
contamination takes place.
Hidayet Sarandi
University of Zirve (Turkey)
Re-examining the Validity Issue of Elicited Imitation as Measure of Grammatical
Knowledge
This presentation will examine the validity of elicited imitation as a measure of implicit
grammatical knowledge of second language learners. It aims to find out 1) whether there is any
relationship between length of the grammatical and ungrammatical items of EI sentences and the
ability of test takers to correctly repeat them? 2) whether there is any relationship between the
performance of language learners on an elicited imitation test (EI) and their performance on an
oral narration task (ONT) when a certain language structure is targeted? 3) whether there is any
relationship between the performance of language learners on the EI and ONT tests when they
are compared globally in terms of both content and grammar.
Yurtbaşı Metin
Istanbul University (Turkey)
The acquisition of Compound vs Phrasal Stress distinction
“Compound stress” and “phrasal stress” are the key elements to determine the exact means of
conveying a specific intent in certain utterances. The research at hand investigates the learner’s
ability to perceive, distinguish and produce the meaning differences between phrases and
compound words during L2 acquision through various stress patterns. In such contrastive patterns
as “‘HOT ,dog (type of food) [compound] vs. ,hot ‘DOG (hot canine) [phrase]” and “a ‘GREEN
,house (a building made of glass for growing plants inside) [compound] vs. a ,green ‘HOUSE (a
house which is painted green) [phrase]” the difference in the stress placement is a clear indication
of meaning changes expressed. Compound nouns have primary stress on the first word, and those
following them have secondary stress. In the compound noun ‘GOLF ,ball, the first word has the
primary stress, thus modifying the following word and reducing it into the secondary stress. As
for phrases, however, the modified elements i.e. the words second in line are stressed more
prominently. So the acquisition of such a distinction in stress patterns in both phrases and
compounds is very important for learners of English in order to analyze what is said and convey
their meaning more precisely in their oral communication.
Session VI Teacher Development 3:30 to 4:50 p.m.
Session Chair
Samad Sajjadi
(Seminar Saloon II)
Samad Sajjadi
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
(College of Paramedical Sciences), Tehran (Iran)
The effect of in-service English education on faculty members’ language proficiency
Following the administration of a needs assessment worksheet, a project for the promotion of
faculty members’ English proficiency was formulated. Then, based on a placement test, 235
applicants from different colleges and teaching hospitals of the university were classified into 28
homogeneous groups. After four terms of instruction, the participants’ scores on the pre- and
post-assessments were analyzed. The results showed significant improvement on the
communicative skills under instruction (p<0.001).
Dilek Çakici
Ondokuz Mayis University (Turkey)
The Beliefs of University Students and Their Teachers about Foreign Language Learning
This paper reports on a study that investigated the beliefs about language learning of 78 English
as a foreign language (EFL) students and 15 EFL teachers in the Department of Foreign
languages at Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun. The aim of the study was to explore what
beliefs the students in prep classes held about learning EFL. The study also aims to show if the
beliefs of the EFL students and their teachers displyed a change.
Harun Şimşek
Necmettin Erbakan University (Turkey)
Ahmet Keleşoğlu
Necmettin Erbakan University (Turkey)
Pedagogical Formation Course Participants’ Views on Being a Language Teacher
We asked prospective teachers of English not graduated from the ELT department to compare the
teaching profession to other professions, to clarify the underlying reason for the comparison
made, whether they would regard themselves as equal with the graduates of ELT departments,
and the efficiency of the pedagogical formation courses.
Karim Sadeghi
Urmia University (Iran)
Zainab Abolfazli Khonbi
Kashan University of Medical Sciences (Iran)
The Effect of Self-, Peer-, and Teacher-Assessment on Iranian University EFL Students’
Academic Achievement
The study investigated the effect of assessment type (self vs. peer vs. teacher) on EFL students’
academic achievement and sought the students’ attitudes toward them. The findings indicate that
students have mixed attitudes toward the assessment types and that peer-assessment influences
students’ academic achievement significantly better than other types.
Session VII ELT Project (New Ideas for Language Teaching). Syllabus Design.
3:30 to 4:50 p.m.
Session Chair
Hengameh Ghandehari
(Seminar Saloon I)
Saadet Sündüs (Turkey)
Selcuk University
Harun Şimşek
Necmettin Erbakan University (Turkey)
The Importance of Syllabus in Teaching Translation for ELT Students
It deals with the definition of syllabus, the usage of syllabus and the effects of syllabus in
teaching translation for ELT students.
Hengameh Ghandehari
Hermes Institute (Turkey)
Using Peer Coaching to Enhance EFL Learners Overall Achievement
In a collaborative training program, teachers combine their strengths to work together, coach one
another, and provide the best possible environment for their students. But the question is whether
peer coaching has any effect on learners’ overall achievement; if yes, how significant is this
effect is?
Amine Belmekki
Tlemcen University (Algeria)
Designing an ESP Lab-Based Course to Technical Students: Towards more Innovative
Teaching
In an era of shrinking resources, there are growing demands for accountability in public life,
including education. In foreign and second language teaching, one of several consequences is the
increasing importance attached to careful studies of learner needs as a prerequisite for effective
course design. Hence, our aim in the present paper is to design an English lab-based course to
technical students to develop their competence in this globalised society where English is crucial
in their professional careers. Technical English aims at helping this category of students increase
their knowledge of technical English and develop the vocabulary and grammar needed. By using
technological materials, like the language laboratory, students become more motivated, accurate
and more appropriate in a range of key technical contexts.
Muruvvet Celik
Atafen College, Kocaeli (Turkey)
Byte Byte Reading
A sweet day of hands-on learning for a Web 2.0 world connected to reading. In today’s
classrooms, reading is undergoing tremendous transformations as new technologies demand new
literacies. Educators must be responsive to today’s learners. Learn about the latest affordable
technology tools and interactive websites. Explore strategies for using these tools to enhance
learning in your classrooms. See a fast-paced review of the latest technology, play a game, have
fun as well as to create new and engaging tasks for reading classes.
April 27, 2013
Session I Use of Computers, Video, Audio, in EFL classes
9:00 to 10:20 a.m.
Session Chair
Ferit Kılıçkaya
(Seminar Saloon II)
Meltem İpek Öner
Yeditepe University (Turkey)
Sevim Açıkgöz
Bilgi University (Turkey)
Learning web 2.0 Styles
When compared to the past, the number of tools for educational purposes has risen. Today, in the
world of educational technology, language learning/ teaching process can be enriched through
various web tools. In this workshop, we will focus on how teachers used to cater for the needs of
the students in the past and how they can cater for different learning styles (visual, auditory and
kinaesthetic) with web 2.0 technology today. Some practical activities using various web 2.0
tools for each style will be shown and evaluated. Join us in this workshop to make the most out of
web 2.0 tools for different learning styles.
Ferit Kılıçkaya
Kocaeli University (Turkey)
Control+F: E-books and EFL Reading Skill
In this era of technological developments, we do not live, work, read, or even die as we used to.
The findings of several studies indicate that readers are more interested in speed than deep
understanding. This study aims to investigate whether EFL learners apply different reading
strategies while dealing with e-books.
Özgür Deniz Yakut
Uğur Üzer
Istanbul Kemerburgaz University (Turkey)
How to set up an online classroom in EdModo
Edmodo is by far the most preferred Web 2.0 tool in terms of online platform for teachers,
students and parents. This session aims to provide a guide to start your first class(es) without any
crucial point.
Ibrahim Yasa
Middle East Technical University (Turkey)
Integrating New Instructional Technologies into the classrooms: The Role of Podcasting in
ELT
Despite the increase of teacher preparation programs that emphasize the importance of training
teachers to select and develop appropriate computer-assisted language learning (CALL)
materials, integration of CALL into classroom settings is still frequently relegated to the use of
selected CALL activities to supplement instruction or to provide additional practice. For the most
part, we are still quite a way from what Bax (2003) calls the normalization stage of CALL, i.e.,
the stage where CALL becomes invisible and truly integrated.
Session II Methods of Language Teaching and Learning 10:30 to 12:15 a.m.
Session Chair
Irfan Tosuncuoglu
(Seminar Saloon II)
Nafi Yalçın
Melikşah Üniversitesi (Turkey)
Teaching Grammar in EFL/ESL Classrooms Again?
Unlike the methods and approaches considering grammar as essential in language teaching, the
communicative approaches which overwhelmingly dominated L2 teaching since 1980s focused
on communicative proficiency rather than the mastery of grammar. This paper attempts to
capture the symptoms of change in the attitude toward the role of grammar in the recent
theoretical and empirical studies on L2 teaching.
Hanife Taşdemir
Fatih Sultan Mehmet University (Turkey)
The World’s Language: English as a Lingua Franca
English has established its position as a lingua franca, widely used in various fields. As a recently
born concept, ELF will be examined. As a part of the European Commission eLearning
programme, a currently active e-Twinning project between FSMU and a school from Austria will
be eloborated from the aspect of ELF.
Nesrin Bakırcı
İstanbul Arel University (Turkey)
Awareness Raising Through Texts
This paper aims to discuss the role of text-based approach in language development courses at the
Departments of Translation and Interpreting. Based on the theoretical issues underlying
assumptions behind text based syllabuses, suggestions will be presented in terms of integrating
the content of ‘subject matter’ and ‘language development’ courses through awareness-raising
activities.
Najwa Saba ‘Ayon
Rafik Hariri University (Lebanon)
How to Incorporate Collaborative Learning in ESP Courses
Collaborative learning plays an important role in preparing university students for the workplace
(Beckman 1990, p. 128). To this end, the presenter will (1) provide a step-by-step procedure of
how she incorporates collaborative learning in ESP courses, (2) highlight probable challenges
during implementation, and (3) share some students’ collaborative projects.
Irfan Tosuncuoglu
Karabük University (Turkey)
Historical Progress of Language Teaching
The English language teaching tradition has been subject to tremendous change, especially
throughout the twentieth century. Perhaps more than any other discipline, this tradition has been
practiced, in various adaptations, in language classrooms all around the world for centuries.
While the teaching of Maths or Physics, that is, the methodology of teaching Maths or Physics,
has, to a greater or lesser extent, remained the same, this is hardly the case with English or
language teaching in general. Teaching and learning a foreign language, on the other hand, can
be either exciting and productive or difficult. During the last two decades, researchers have
uncovered only some of the critical ingredients of language learning. Dulay, Burt and Krashen
(1982) believe that children or adults cannot be forced to learn and speak a new language
immediately; they typically go through a silent period, which lasts from a few weeks to several
months. It is clearly understood that this comprehension period might accelerate learning the
new language. As will become evident in this paper, there are some milestones in the
development of language teaching, which we will briefly touch upon, in an attempt to reveal the
importance of research in the selection and implementation of the optimal methods and
techniques for language teaching and learning.
Session III Using Drama, Poetry and Songs in EFL Teaching 12:20 to 1:00 a.m.
Session Chair
Takako Seito
(Seminar Saloon II)
Minerva Santos
Hostos Community College, City University of New York (US)
Using Poetry in EFL Teaching
This presentation will provide a literature review on the use of poetry in EFL Teaching. The
presenter will explain how the intricacies of poetry serve as a perfect medium for the exploration
and analysis the written word, and she will demonstrate how to deconstruct poetry in the English
language classroom.
Takako Seito
Center of General Education and Humanity at Tokyo University of Science, Suwa (Japan)
Writing Lyrics for Awareness of Syllable Structure Difference between Japanese and
English
Japanese students with English pronunciation difficulties hesitate to speak English. Their poor
pronunciation comes mainly from an imperfect knowledge of syllable structure difference
between Japanese (CV) and English (CVC). Writing English lyrics for their favorite songs
helps awareness of what hinders them from speaking and reading out English.
Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Session IV English for Specific Purposes Challenges. Cognitive Exploration of Language
and Linguistics. 2:00 – 3:20 p.m.
Session Chair
John McKeown
(Seminar Saloon II)
Neslihan Önder
Uludağ University (Turkey)
An ethnographic diary study to reveal Turkish medical students’ perceptions of difficulties
in learning Medical English
Drawing on learners’ written reflection as an ethnographic diary analysis, this study investigates
Turkish medical students’ difficulties in learning medical English. 32 medical students
participated in the study. Content analysis was employed to find salient themes. The findings
revealed that students have some difficulties, including understanding medical research articles
and deployment of appropriate strategies.
Olena Khlynina
Ivan Franko Zhitomir State University (Ukraine)
Gender Background: Concept CAREER Verbalization
The aim of the work is to examine gender peculiarities background of the concept CAREER
verbalization actualised in the contemporary American discourse. Topicality of the concept
CAREER research is determined by the fact that the notion of ‘career’ is investigated mainly in
the economic, psychological and sociological contexts and it has never been the subject of a
complex linguistic research based on modern English printed media from the perspective of
modern cognitive-discursive paradigm, enabling a qualitative conceptual analysis.
John McKeown
MEF International Schools (Turkey)
Maximize student input: promoting Cooperative Learning in ELT classes through the use
of CoRT Thinking Tools
Participants will use thinking tools from the CoRT (Cognitive Research Trust at Cambridge
University) thinking program, hands-on with cooperative learning strategies. Results from
research (McKeown, 2012) indicate that the use of CoRT thinking tools provides opportunities
for added communicative participation in collaborative settings. The lessons provide practical,
accessible learning opportunities for ELT learners at differing ability levels in all modalities.
Iryna Semeniuk
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Turkey)
Meritocratic Discourse: Research Framework
This paper presents a reflection on the process of doing critical meritocratic discourse research.
Examples from a current project on the discursive construction of ‘meritocrat’ identity are used to
illustrate how major challenges inherent in undertaking meritocratic discourse research can be
addressed. These involved initial justifications of discourse theory as a research framework,
research design and data collection in order to contribute to broader debates about age, gender
and social status.