A Single Case Study on Teacher Socialization: The (Mis)Socialization of Two Turkish Instructors Working at a University in the United States of America

Authors : Ufuk Keleş

Pages : 1415-1434

Doi:10.17240/aibuefd.2025..-1551570

View : 105 | Download : 74

Publication Date : 2025-09-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explores two Turkish as an additional language (TFL) teachers’ socialization experiences while working at a southeastern US University’s critical languages center where they were also PhD students. It focuses on (a) how these PhD students (were) socialized into teaching TFL in the absence of formal language teacher education, (b) how the TFL coursebook’s content influenced their teaching practice, and (c) how their English as a foreign language (EFL) learning experiences impacted their teaching style. Incorporating teacher socialization theory with “communities of practice” and “apprenticeship of observation” concepts, the author utilized a single case study design. The findings showed that the participants’ socialization process as TFL instructors was rather insufficient due to the older-timer teacher shortage to guide them into local practices. Since they lacked such support, the participants adhered to their TFL coursebook and the accompanying study materials. Although they complained about it, they refrained from replacing the coursebook with a more recent one since it became more convenient to use in time. Also, they often relied on their EFL learning experiences. Basically, they preferred using the teaching methods, techniques, and strategies they liked while learning English. Similarly, they abstained from activities they disliked when they were students.
Keywords : Dil öğretmeni Sosyalleşmesi, Dil öğretim ders kitapları, Yabanci dil olarak Türkçe, Gözlemci çıraklık, Tekil olay incelemesi

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