Undergraduate Research Trends in English Language Teaching in Türkiye: Insights from TÜBİTAK 2209-A Project Titles

English (OpenAlex)

This study investigates current tendencies in undergraduate research in English Language Teaching (ELT) in Türkiye by analysing project titles accepted under the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students between 2021 and 2024. A total of 301 project titles were examined using qualitative document analysis and thematic analysis. The findings reveal a diverse research landscape in which undergraduate students engage with both established and emerging areas of ELT. Traditional concerns such as methods and techniques, materials development, language skills, assessment, curriculum design, and psychological constructs remained prominent. At the same time, newer orientations were observed in projects on technology and artificial intelligence, inclusivity and social justice, responses to emerging crises (COVID-19, 2023 earthquake), and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Undergraduate researchers also demonstrated attention to professional contexts through projects on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and teacher education. These findings illustrate how undergraduate ELT research in Türkiye both reflects long-standing scholarly traditions and adapts to global, technological, and social developments. The study highlights the value of undergraduate research in fostering reflective and innovative future teachers, while recommending further inquiry through in-depth interviews and comprehensive project analysis to complement title-based thematic mapping.