Can Social Studies and Language Lessons be Integrated via Global Education? English Language Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions

AbstractEnglish language and social studies lessons play an important role in teaching global citizenship, global awareness and connections. The aim of this study is to investigate the perception of English Language teacher candidates about integrated social studies and English lessons via global education. To gain this aim, survey model has been employed. 30 teacher candidates studying 4th grades in English Language Teacher Education Department, during the academic year of 2012-2013 participated in this research. Descriptive analysis techniques—one of qualitative analysis techniques—was utilized for the analysis of the data collected through open ended questions. In the light of these data, it seems that majority of teacher candidates are willing to integrate social studies and English via global education especially on the topic of earthquakes, floods, poverty, AIDS…. Furthermore, teacher candidates have some misconceptions about what global education is. At the end of the study some suggestions are made based on these results