Results and discussion The quality of English language teaching/learning process has always been one of the most important concerns in Turkish educational system. Lyons (2001) argues that learning is a complex activity, and is affected by several factors such as students’ perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes; teaching resources; teachers’ skill; curriculum; physical condition; and the design of the school facility. Teaching strategies, methods and techniques play a vital role to provide in designing effective language teaching/learning process. It is important to how to relate these key factors to realize effective language teaching.
The present research evaluated and compared high school students’ perceptions of methods and techniques used at English classes in Elazığ city, Turkey. The results of the present study indicate that high school students’ perceptions of effective use of methods and techniques at English classes differed significantly by gender. One of the most significant conclusions to be drawn from the findings was that female students found English language teaching methods and techniques more efficient than male students did. This result can be based on the interest of female students towards English language learning.
Statistically significant differences were observed between male and female students’ opinions toward the effective communication between students and teachers at English classes. Female students considered communication activities more efficient than the female students did. A significant difference was found between students groups in terms of effective communication based on grade levels in English classes. Tenth and eleventh grade students found school climate from the point of building good communication better and more efficient than did ninth graders. Ninth graders found it insufficient. Building good school climate based on effective communication between teacher and student in the classroom has a direct impact on how a teacher manages the classroom. High school students’ opinions toward effective use of language teaching methods and techniques differed significantly related to school type. Students of general and Anatolian high schools indicated that their teachers used teaching methods more effectively than those of Vocational and technical high schools. This may be related to the conditions of vocational/technical high schools in recent years. The number of students selecting vocational/technical high schools decreased significantly because of the conditions of university entrance exam. But the system has changed and future studies may present different results.