©EIJEAS ϮϬϭ6 Volume: Ϯ Issue: 4, 106-125, Ohio, USA
Electronic International Journal of Education, Arts, and Science
http://www.eijeas.com
106
The Investigation of the Competences of English Language Teachers Working in Amasya
Province via Self-Assessment
Ayfer Su Bergil
Amasya Üniversitesi, ayfer_su@yahoo.com
Gamze Erdem
Amasya Üniversitesi, gamze.erdem@amasya.edu.tr
Arif Sarıçoban
Hacettepe Üniversitesi, saricobanarif@gmail.com
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to determine the opinions on teaching competencies of English
language teachers working in Amasya province based on self-assessment and observe their
teaching competency via EPOSTL Portfolio study scale approved by the Council of Europe.
This study incorporates 70 English language teachers working at primary, secondary and high
school levels in Amasya province. For data collection instrument, 195-item descriptors, which
are self-assessment part of European Portfolio for Teachers of Languages consisting of three
sections, provide basis for this research. As a method of this study, both qualitative and
quantitative research methods are used together and voluntary participation of English teachers
is guaranteed. The self-assessment section of the EPOSTL scale is adapted into 5 point likert-
type format coded as ''weak'', ''adequate'', ''good'', ''excellent'', ''no idea'' and 7 different section
of descriptors labeled as Context, Methodology, Resources, Lesson Planning, Conducting a
Lesson, Independent Learning, Self-Assessment are within the scope of the research to
investigate English teachers’ self-assessment states. In order to support and exemplify the
gathered quantitative data, voluntary teachers’ explaining of determinative or example practices
and voice recordings of the answers given to interview questions were realized. . By this way,
portfolio study applied to the student teachers of languages by the Council of Europe have
found existence as a scale study for teachers working in Amasya province through in-service
education and unearthed the teachers' needs to be developed during their undergraduate
education and education training processes. In addition, when the scope and content of the
EPOSTL scale is considered, it is seen that English teachers need an evaluation specifically