Güven Sak, the Founding Director of TEPAV, participated in the panel titled “What has changed? Technology, labor market needs, and the demand for English,” held as part of the “English in a Changing World: A Two-Day Forum” organized by the British Council. He addressed the transformation of English education in Turkey and its increasing importance in the business sector.

Pointing out the economic transformation Turkey has undergone in the last 40 years, Sak stressed that English has become essential not only for career development but also for securing jobs. He noted that Turkey’s export volume was just 1 billion dollars annually in 1980, but today it has exceeded 250 billion dollars. He also mentioned that 90% of exports in 1980 consisted of agricultural products, while today this ratio has shifted to 90% industrial products. Sak stated that Turkey exports over 1,600 industrial products competitively to more than 110 countries, adding that this diversity requires proficiency in English both in terms of products and markets.

“English is no longer just a language proficiency”

During the panel, Sak remarked that English is no longer merely a language proficiency; it has also become an indicator of better education and skill sets due to the differences in the education system in Turkey. He noted that this situation reflects on career opportunities. He emphasized that technology will significantly contribute to English education, diversifying teaching opportunities through artificial intelligence and digital tools, but warned that if these technologies are not distributed equitably, the digital divide will deepen further.

“Increasing teacher training capacity is essential”

Sak stressed that to improve English education in Turkey, the primary focus should be on increasing the capacity for teacher training. He recalled that studies assessing the state of English education in Turkey were conducted in 2015 and 2021 in collaboration with TEPAV and the British Council, and the data obtained from these studies formed the basis for policy recommendations. He also stated that English education should be widespread not only in major cities but across all of Turkey. He highlighted the importance of establishing local centers of excellence that could replicate the success achieved in vocational training by TOBB in collaboration with local chambers of commerce and industry.

“National and regional partnerships are important”

Sak emphasized the significance of national and regional partnerships for a sustainable English education policy, stating that working closely with the Ministry of National Education plays a critical role in this process.