Research Information System
XI th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress (EJER 2024). , Kocaeli, Turkey, 21 - 24 May 2024, (Unpublished)
In response to the challenges encountered during the implementation of the current ELT curriculum and the requirement for an authentic language learning environment, a new ELT curriculum was developed for young learners in the present study. The curriculum was rooted in Krashen's Natural Approach and adopted an eclectic curriculum design model. This paper aims to present the findings of the micro level implementation (field testing) of the newly designed ELT curriculum. The implementation was carried out in a public elementary school in Ankara for three instructional hours. The purpose of the field testing was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum, allowing for necessary adjustments and revisions before its broader implementation. Field testing showed that when students were exposed to substantial amounts of comprehensible input using engaging and relevant materials, without being pressured to immediately engage in production practice, they eagerly participated in the lesson. Besides, this study also revealed that as researchers possessed a solid understanding of the underlying principles of the curriculum and actively participated in the design process, the implementation became more feasible and effective. By implementing it on a larger scale, a more thorough understanding can be gained regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the new curriculum.