Asmalı, Mehmet2026-01-242026-01-2420202146-59592146-5967https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/tr/yayin/detay/398427https://doi.org/10.5961/jhes.2020.388https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12868/4470English language teaching (henceforth ELT) has always been criticized due to the performance of Turkey in global English proficiencyindices and students’ lack of speaking ability. Despite several attempts to change language teaching programs, it cannot be claimed that thesituation has transformed. ELT programs and students studying in these programs as one of the major elements of language teaching andlearning issues in the country have been investigated in this study. The statistics regarding ELT programs and ELT students between theyears 2016 and 2019 have been taken from YÖK Atlas, an online platform launched by the Council of Higher Education. The statisticaldata taken from this platform were analyzed, taking students’ gender, educational background, university preferences, and foreign languagetest mean scores as well as ELT programs’ academic staff, performance in exchange programs, and students’ program preference statisticsinto account. The statistics indicated the dominance of female students and relatively low English proficiency of the students in ELTprograms. Assistant professors were found to be the leading academic staff in these programs. Moreover, ELT students’ preferences withregard to geographical proximity and availability of student exchange programs have been provided in the findings. Finally, some potentialfuture research topics have been suggested.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessEğitimEğitim AraştırmalarıArticle10.5961/jhes.2020.388102264275398427