ABSTRACT

Music Teachers Proficiency, Music Teaching Methods and Music Teaching Materials In the Güzelyurt Primary Schools

1^st Writer: Assist Prof Dr Ertem Nalbantoğlu

2^nd Writer:  Jale Yıltaş

Music education is important as it increases children’s cognitive development. In many parts of the world, generalist teachers are the only teachers of music in primary schools (Bresler-Latta, 2008).  Similarly in North Cyprus, most of the teachers giving music lessons in the primary schools has no expertise in music education. This research aims to state the findings about the proficiency of the classroom music teachers, teaching methods and the teaching materials music teachers are using in primary schools. The research is significant as it is the first to search out the information about the music education in Güzelyurt District. The sample of this research consists of 12 music teachers of 12 schools in Güzelyurt District. Drawing from questionnaire data augmented by classroom observations and interviews in 2013 spring, music teachers are mostly Atatürk Teacher Academy graduates,
the teachers had no sufficient training in higher education programme to give music lessons in the primary schools classroom. Therefore the music teachers are taking private music lessons to expertise in music education.  Teachers stated that they are restricted by the lack of musical materials they are able to use in music lessons.  On the other hand, research pointed out that the teachers are not using effective music education methods in the classroom.