Young learner English teacher profile from teachers' and students' perspectives

In this study, a young learner (YL) English Teacher Profile from students? and teachers? perspectives was investigated. Considering the qualities of foreign language teachers as well as the characteristics of young learners (YLs) of English, this study aimed to find out students? and teachers? perceptions of a YL English teacher in terms of qualities related to his/her professional profile (subject matter, curricula, materials, instructional activities, classroom management, teacher language used in the class, teacher?s interaction skills and techniques, etc) as well as his/her individual profile (personal traits). Data were collected from a total of 544 fourth grade students aged 10-11 and 26 YLs English Teachers in all the 22 primary schools in the city center of Nevşehir in Turkey. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire which consisted of teacher qualities that the students and their English teachers were required to grade. Additionally, for the purposes of this study, data were collected also by employing observation, interview, and field notes. Overall, the data collection tools; the questionnaire and interview reveal that the teachers are aware of the needs of YLs. Contrarily, observation and field notes show the teachers do not put what they know into practice. The findings also revealed statistically significant differences between the perceptions of students and their teachers in thirty-eight items included and grouped in the questionnaire under the headings; planning and organization, competence in English, attitude towards job, materials and activities, method, teacher interaction skills, availability to students, classroom management, feedback, assessment and YLs English teachers? personal traits. The findings of this study provided invaluable implications for the process of developing teacher education programs and evaluating teacher performance in TEYL.Keywords: Young Language Learners, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, The Profile of a Young Learner English Teacher, Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL).