Studies on teaching English in Turkey: A meta-synthesis study

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the results of postgraduate theses between 2005-2019 on English teaching methods in primary schools through meta-synthesis method. For this purpose, meta-synthesis method was applied to examine and evaluate the researches consisting of 72 master and 3 doctoral dissertations on "English teaching in primary schools" published between 2005-2019 which were analyzed according to certain criteria. As a result of the evaluations, 7 themes were determined within the scope of the research; T1- Research on the Use of Games in English Teaching, T2- Research on the Use of Songs in English Teaching, T3- Research on the Use of Instructional Technologies in English Language Teaching, T4- Research on the Use of Materials in English Teaching, T5- Research on the Use of Drama in English Teaching, T6- Researches on Reading Activities and T7- Studies on Learning-Teaching Models in English Language Teaching. After the themes were determined; 9 dimensions were determined as Course Achievement, Learning Environment, Motivation, Communication Skills, Language Skills, Attitude, Individual Differences, Findings related to Teachers and Administrators. The determination of the themes, dimensions and the analysis of the findings were made in accordance with the steps of the Meta Synthesis Research Method. According to the results of the research, in English instruction; it was determined that the use of games, songs, instructional technologies, materials, drama, reading activities and learning-teaching models contributed positively to primary school students' learning English. The use of games, songs, instructional technologies, materials, drama, reading activities and learning-teaching models in English instruction increases course success, enables a positive learning environment, provides a positive attitude and high motivation towards English instruction and supports communication and language skills. Furthermore, the views of teachers and administrators on English instruction in primary schools were determined.