A case study: Exploration of Generation Z students' EFL learning environment in tertiary education

As of 2019-2020 academic year, there are almost 8 million students at tertiary education in Turkey including vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students (Yükseköğretim Bilgi Yönetim Sistemi, 2020). Hence it is crucial to acknowledge the existence of Generation Z students (born between 1996-2010) in higher education. The fact that different cohorts; Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Z are working and studying together necessitated this study, which aimed to explore Gen Z students' EFL learning environments. The study was conducted at a foundation university's School of Foreign Languages in Turkey. Data were collected during 2020-2021 academic year employing focus group meetings, semi-structured individual interviews and field notes. The data were examined through qualitative inquiry methods and data analysis software. The findings revealed that although there was no change in teaching philosophies of instructors, they had to go through a process of adaptation with Gen Z students. It was also found out that different instructors belonging to different generations had dissimilar attitudes and practices towards Gen Z students. Although the essence of teaching and learning still stayed the same, Gen Z students were noted to have more elevated interest in the language learning due to their close contact with technology and internet. Therefore, traditional methods of teaching are no longer suitable for Gen Z, and along with instructors, institutions and publishing houses have to share their parts in establishing an effective learning environment for Gen Z students. Keywords: Gen Z EFL learning environment, Gen Z learning preferences, Gen Z student characteristics, technology incorporated lessons, cohorts of instructors, Gen Z teaching philosophies, infrastructure in establishing Gen Z learning environment