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2023

CPD > 2023

First Istanbul Medipol Language School Conference on Social-emotional Learning and Cultural Competence, May 2023

On the 13th of May 2023, we, as Istanbul Medipol University Foreign Languages Coordinatorship, held our first language school conference on social-emotional learning and cultural competence with two (2) plenary sessions, thirteen (13) concurrent sessions, four (4) online sessions, and additionally five (5) poster presentations. Our conference sponsors were Oxford University Press and Edu Kitap (National Geographic Learning).

The conference received 200 registrations with 100 colleagues being hosted on the day. At the close of the conference, with the help of our sponsors, a gala dinner at Cemile Sultan Korusu was provided for our speakers and invited guests.

Invited Speakers:

Our opening plenary speaker was Professor Emeritus Dr. Ernesto Macaro, Worcester College, University of Oxford.
His title was Students’ Language Learning Strategies: Theorising the Transition to English Medium Instruction Contexts

Abstract:

Although there have been decades of theorising on the strategies that language students use, together with the practical application of strategies research through strategy-based instruction, there is very little theory and research on the strategies that students deploy when they are learning content in an English Medium Instruction (EMI) context. I define EMI as:

The use of the English language to teach academic subjects (other than English itself) in countries or jurisdictions where the first language of the majority of the population is not English.

In this talk I will identify the psycholinguistic and cultural shift that students may need to make, in their strategic behaviour, when they transition from foreign language learning to learning content through a foreign language (i.e., English).

Our closing plenary speaker was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aydan Irgatoğlu, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University.
Her title was Practical Ways to Foster a Supportive Environment and Promote Social and Emotional Learning

Abstract:

Over the last few years, the integration of social and emotional learning into the academic context has become a critical topic in education. In educational contexts, learners must be given the chance to develop, gain, and use social-emotional skills. Because of the ever-growing number of international students at Turkish institutions, most lecturers express a great desire to include SEL in their practices with learners, but many lack the necessary expertise. As a result, in this talk, the present state of SEL programming in education will be described, as well as the rationales for a school-wide approach to SEL implementation. Following that, a conceptual framework for SEL will be provided, demonstrating how learners’ social-emotional skills may be best increased through coordinated school-wide approaches. Finally, some practical activities for creating a welcoming atmosphere and promoting SEL will be suggested.

Our invited workshop was conducted by Prof. Dr. Onur Köksal, Selçuk University.
His title was Cultural Competence in Translation.

Abstract:

The concept of cultural competence is one of the sub-dimensions of translation competence. Therefore, in order to deal with the subject of cultural competence in detail, it is useful to consider the concepts of translation and translation competence.
Although the concept of translation is very old, the acceptance of translation in social sciences is new. In a more general and common expression, translation is the process of transferring a written text in one language or a speech or text to another language. However, the concept of translation has taken on a more scientific and academic structure, and some specific definitions about the concept of translation have been made. The beginning and end of any process depends on the individual. Any system that does not center the individual is not expected to be successful. Considering the fact that individuals create societies and societies create cultural norms, it is not possible to see the individual and the culture independently of each other. There is a cultural structure in which each individual is shaped within their own society. These cultural structures determine the lifestyles of individuals, their perspectives on their own society, and thus their lifestyles. The cultural perceptions of individuals in their own society affect their view of the cultural structures of other societies. The accuracy and soundness of these perspectives depend on individuals’ cultural competence. Translation and interpretation training is the most important factor in order for correct communication and transfer to take place between different cultures, the translator must be competent, knowledgeable and experienced in different cultures. In other words, the translator should be able to overcome cultural and communicative barriers along with linguistic barriers. Culturally competent individuals respect different cultures and attach importance to the values of those cultures. These individuals are unbiased and interested in different cultures. It is very important for translators to have this competence in terms of the task they undertake. Therefore, the importance of culture in translation should be clearly explained to the students of the Department of Translation and Interpretation, and the necessary courses related to cultural competence should be included in the curriculum of the relevant department.

Concurrent Sessions & Presenters:

  • Teacher’s Beliefs and Practices of Vocabulary Teaching in EFL Classrooms, Melani Konca, MEF University
  • Classroom Code-switching in an EFL Context: Teacher’s Perceptions, Senior Lect. Md. Tahmid Ar Rabbi, East West University
  • Intercultural Communication Sensitivity of ELT Learners, Lect. Emin Gürkan, Istanbul Medipol University
  • Using English as a Medium to Enhance Students’ Cultural Awareness of Istanbul, Lect. Arev Babahan, Kadir Has University
  • English Language Teaching in a Cultural Context and Academic Mobility, Assoc. Prof. Irina Shelenkova, Istanbul Medipol University
  • Is Fahrenheit 451 a Dystopia That Almost Came True?, Lect. Cansu Çiprut, Istanbul Medipol University
  • The Use of Social Media to Promote EFL Learners’ Speaking and Writing Skills, Lect. Hatice Granados Fuquene, Istanbul Medipol University & Asst. Prof. Mustafa Polat, Bahçeşehir University
  • Integrating SEL into ESL Pronunciation, Lect. Selçuk Bayram, Yıldız Technical University
  • Methods of Forming Professional Competence of Student-economists in the Process of Teaching English, Senior Lect. Nilufar Atashikova, Tashkent University of Information Technologies
  • Effects of Social Well-being and Conscious Awareness on Language Learning, Lect. Murat Demirekin, Selçuk University
  • The Critical Role of SEL in an SFL – Sustaining the Learning Organization & Combatting Student Retention, Asst. Director Özge Çoşkun Aysal & Asst. Prof. Donald F. Staub, Izmir University of Economics
  • How to Implement Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into ELT Teacher Training Syllabus, Asst. Prof. Hidayet Tuncay, Istanbul Nişantaşı University
  • 21st Century Skills in ELT Classes, Lect. Murat Akbıyık, Kadir Has University
  • University Students’ Perceptions Regarding the Role of Motivational Factors on Their Academic Performance, Najwa Neda, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University & Asst. Prof. Mehdi Solhi, Istanbul Medipol University
  • Exploring Classroom Management Orientation of Turkish EFL Teachers, Alp Buğra Öder, Bursa Uludağ University
  • The Use of Authentic Texts in Linguadidactics, Assoc. Prof. Nayira Ibragimova, Tashkent University of Information Technologies

Poster Presentations & Presenters

  • Social Emotional Learning in an Online Language Classroom, Lect. Volkan Demirkan-Martin, Kadir Has University
  • A Digital Badging System to Facilitate a Supportive Learning Environment in an SFL, Asst. Prof. Donald Staub & Asst. Director Özge Coşkun Aysal
  • Triggering Students’ Interest in Digital Learning Environments, High Lect. Merita Ismali, South East European University
  • Digital Learning and Good Practices in Learning Language Methodologies, High Lect. Lumturie Bajrami, South East European University
  • Enhancing Thinking Routines in the ELT Classroom, High Lect. Shpresa Hasani, South East European University

Organizing committee members:

  • Lect. Aynur Yılmazer, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Elizabeth S. Coleman, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Hatice Granados Fuquene, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Murat Şahin, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye

Academic committee members:

  • Assoc. Prof. Aynur Kesen Mutlu, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Irina Shelenkova, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. Talat Bulut, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. Mehdi Solhi, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. İlknur Eğinli, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Dr. Ferit Acar, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Dr. Kerem Geçmen, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Dr. Şenay Çaylan, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Dr. Zuhal Aydın, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Almina Esen, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Barış Günay, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Burcu Altın Günay, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Levent Balcıoğlu, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Recep Murat Nurlu, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Lect. Tuba Şenel İnce, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Güven Mengü, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Nazlı Gündüz, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Aydan Irgatoğlu, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Gürkan Dağbaşı, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. Korkut Uluç İşisağ, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Selma Elyıldırım, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Jesus Garcia-Laborda, Alcalá University, Spain
  • Prof. Mehmet Takkaç, Atatürk University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kürşat Cesur, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Dr. Dinçay Köksal, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Yasemin Kırkgöz, Çukurova University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Gonca Yangın Ekşi, Gazi University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Kadriye Dilek Bacanak, Gazi University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. İrfan Tosuncuoğlu, Karabük University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Özkan Kırmızı, Karabük University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. Nejla Gezmiş, Kırıkkale University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Badriyah El-Daw, Lebanese University, Lebanon
  • Prof. Aysu Erden, Maltepe University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. Şükrü Nural, MEF University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Christopher Cairney, Middle Georgia State University, USA
  • Assoc. Prof. Fatma Kalpaklı, Selçuk University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Aziza A. Sharipova, Tashkent University of Information Technologies, Uzbekistan
  • Prof. Oya Tunaboylu, Süleyman Demirel University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Belgin Elmas, TED University, Türkiye
  • Prof. Gülsev Pakkan, TED University, Türkiye
  • Asst. Prof. Ceyhun Karabıyık, Ufuk University, Türkiye
  • Assoc. Prof. Rome Aboh, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • Prof. Murat Hişmanoğlu, Uşak University, Türkiye