A modular in-service teacher development program: A continuous mixed model for the Turkish Air Force (TURAF) EFL teachers

The present study tries to investigate the needs, expectations, and desires of the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) EFL teachers in order to better assist them in their profession through a unique model of in-service EFL teacher training (INSET) program specifically designed for the institution where around 100 EFL teachers work. The research is based on investigating the following research questions: (1) What are the practical and theoretical needs of English Language teachers? (2) How do English Language teachers perceive in-service training programs? (3) What are the expectations of English Language teachers of an in-service training program? (4) What are the expectations of the learners from English Language teachers? (5) What are the expectations of ELT Mangers from English Language teachers in terms of professional practice? (6) What are the expectations of the institution from the English Language teachers? The data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews; focus group interviews, document analysis, and semi-structured observations. The data came from four different sources; (a) EFL teachers in the Institution, (b) ELT managers of four TurAF sub-units, namely TurAFA, TurAF NCO Collage, BIMAHS, and TurAF LS, (c) the learners from each sub-units, and (d) documents stating the aims and objectives of the institution in terms of English language teaching and learning in terms of the overall aim of the institution. The data obtained were analyzed through SPSS software. Based on the findings a unique INSET model has been proposed for TurAF; moreover, there have been references to whole Turkish Armed Forces in terms of the structure of a EFL teacher training unit in the proposal. In the study, there have been recommendations pertaining to the qualifications of the prospective EFL teachers to be recruited as well.