A Study of Young Gifted Learners’ and Their Teachers’ Perceptions of Effective EFL Learners*

Abstract

This study compared gifted learners’ and their English teachers’ perceptions of who is an effective English as a foreign language (EFL) learner. The research questions include the following: (a) What are young gifted learners’ perceptions of an effective EFL learner? (b) What are English teachers’ perceptions of an effective EFL learner? and (c) Is there a match between young gifted learners’ and their English teachers’ perceptions of an effective EFL learner? The participants were two gifted learners attending the English classes at the Science and Arts Center (BILSEM) in Adana, Turkey, and two English teachers working with these students. Data were collected through repertory grids, written accounts of the students, and retrospective interviews. Findings include implications for designing appropriate instruction for gifted EFL learners and teacher educators who work with these specific learners.