Turkiye lags behind in language education, particularly English proficiency, due to systemic issues in its teaching methods and infrastructure. According to EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) data, Turkiye consistently ranks in the “very low proficiency” category, around 47th-50th out of 60+ countries, despite rising scores over years. dergipark.org
Exam-Oriented Teaching
The primary reason is an exam-focused approach prioritizing grammar rules, vocabulary memorization, and multiple-choice tests over communicative skills like speaking and listening. Students spend years studying English but graduate unable to converse, as teaching uses grammar-translation methods instead of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). hltmag.co
Poor Teacher Training and Resources
Many teachers lack strong communicative proficiency themselves, trained via the same flawed system, with insufficient professional development and limited real-life language use. Classrooms are overcrowded (often 40+ students), lacking technology, materials, and native exposure; some schools even lack dedicated English teachers. paturkey
Linguistic and Cultural Barriers
Turkish is agglutinative with vowel harmony and different word order from English, causing pronunciation and grammar challenges; plus, minimal daily English exposure outside urban areas hinders practice. reddit
| Key Issue | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Focus | No speaking skills despite high grammar knowledge | hltmag.co |
| Teacher Quality | Inadequate training, overcrowded classes | files.eric.ed |
| Limited Practice | No real-life use or immersion | hltmag.co |
| Structural Differences | Pronunciation/grammar hurdles |