Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
THE JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING, cilt.15, sa.2, ss.201-222, 2025 (ESCI)
Effective communication becomes a
critical component of survival and rescue operations in disasters. Earthquakes,
particularly, strike with little warning, leaving affected populations in
urgent need of clear and concise information and aid to ensure their safety. A
fundamental grasp of "emergency English" can prove invaluable for
non-English-speaking communities or those in multilingual environments. This
case study investigates the language barriers of earthquake victims during the
Kahramanmaraş Earthquake on February 6, 2023, in Turkiye. Data were collected
from three groups: interpreters, international search and rescue teams, and
English language teachers working in the earthquake area to determine the
language barriers. A needs analysis study was conducted using semi-structured
interview questions drawn from an evidence-based
approach. Interpreters offered insights into their experiences and challenges
in receiving crucial information, while rescue teams provided perspectives on
communication obstacles during response efforts. English language teachers also
contributed their expertise in identifying the gaps in language preparedness
and the potential for improving emergency English training in such scenarios.
Results from the three groups showed that language components such as
vocabulary items on health, earthquake terminology, and functions of giving
directions, describing places, and reporting statements were the most needed
language components to overcome the barriers in spoken communication in the
crisis area. As a solution, the participants identified the necessity of
developing an emergency English language teaching programme for K-12 education
nationwide. The paper concludes with suggestions for stakeholders and
implications for future research.