Challenges Ahead to Train Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teachers

Training culturally and linguistically responsive teachers (CLRT) is a growing need in a time marked by rising populations of culturally diverse students. The training process is surrounded by many challenges and identifying those challenges as a starting point is pivotal. Drawing on the findings of a needs analysis of EFL teachers, this study is based on participatory research to explore the challenges in the Turkish teacher education context by organizing a panel discussion with six experts and practitioners. To collect data, a roundtable discussion is adopted that resembled a focus-group interview. Findings indicate training CLRT is a multi-layered issue surrounded by many factors, demanding layer-by-layer solutions at individual, institutional, and systemic levels, for which comprehensive reforms are needed.