Evaluating the ELT Master’s Program at Eastern Mediterranean University

The purpose of the present research is evaluating the English Language Teaching Master’s program at EMU (Eastern Mediterranean University). To fulfill this purpose, the program’s strengths and weaknesses were determined as they were perceived by different participants (instructors, students and alumni). In addition, the participants presented some suggestions and recommendations that would contribute to improving the evaluated program. At the end, the findings of this evaluation study revealed the ELT Master’s program’s level of success in fulfilling the students’ needs. This case-study was designed as a mixed methods research and followed Peacock’s (2009) framework of evaluation in its overall design, where data were collected through the use of qualitative as well as quantitative data collection tools. The perceptions of the instructors, students and alumni were collected through instructor interviews, student questionnaire and alumni questionnaire. A total of 34 participants agreed to take part in this study, five of whom were the instructors teaching in the program, 15 were students and the rest (14 participants) were the graduates (alumni) of the evaluated program. The study’s overall results revealed that the English Language Teaching Master’s program at Eastern Mediterranean University has more strong than weak points. The strongest points revealed through the evaluation are that this program teaches and trains students to conduct well organized and well written research; provides students with adequate theoretical knowledge; and promotes the students’ reflective practice. Other strengths that were mentioned are the qualified instructors and the general structure and content of the program. As for the weaknesses, it was revealed that the program lacked the necessary practical aspects of teaching; some instructors’ performance was unsatisfactory; guidance and training for thesis writing was insufficient; the requirements were overloaded and there was a lack of coordination and communication among students and instructors. According to the results obtained from this study, it was concluded that the English Language Teaching Master’s program at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) does meet the students’ needs to some extent. Furthermore, the suggestions provided by the participants for improving the program include the addition of some practical training in teaching; the addition and reorganization of several courses; improving the used materials; increasing the involvement of instructors in the classroom activities and improving communication between the staff themselves and between them and students. Based on the findings, some implications and suggestions for further studies were also provided.