An odyssey of discovery: Critical literacy in an English preparatory class

Abstract

This thesis explores the experiences of two English language teachers and eighteen students through Critical Literacy (CL) in a class at a School of Foreign Languages in Turkey. CL focuses on social change through education. In the context of English language teaching (ELT), it pursues personal and social transformation through foreign language education. CL in ELT is an under-investigated subject in the relevant literature, which makes this thesis a significant case, especially in Turkey. The findings provide implications for both CL and ELT practices and research. This research is an interpretative qualitative study which consists of an indepth data collection from multiple sources of information, including questionnaires, field notes, observations, documents and interviews. Thematic data analysis is employed. The themes that emerged from the analysis are how teachers implemented CL in their English classrooms; what the potential and contribution of CL to English language teaching and learning is; and finally what kind of social transformations and awarenesses occurred during the implementation of CL in ELT. The pedagogical contributions of the study are manifold. When these teachers followed CL in their teaching practice, they ensured that students’ experiences were valued and they sought to negotiate, redefine and co-construct knowledge with their students. Language learning was enhanced because students were given the chance to analyze broader social issues that are relevant to their lives and to wider contexts. The students and the teachers became aware of how dominant ideologies position them via the textbooks and how issues are normalized through the voice of the author, visuals and texts. Students encountered multiple realities and observed their own dilemmas and challenges and they were involved in their ideas, projects and studies in a broader and deeper level with multiple perspectives.