This study aims to examine the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of foreign students studying at Turkish universities regarding their learning processes of the Turkish language and culture. The research is descriptive in nature, and data were collected through a questionnaire prepared by the researcher. The participant group consisted of 20 foreign students from various countries. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis, and four main themes were identified: linguistic competence, cultural awareness, learning motivation, and adaptation challenges. The findings reveal that students perceive Turkish not only as a means of communication but also as a medium of cultural identity, belonging, and value sharing. Most participants learn Turkish for academic and educational purposes, and their interest and sympathy toward Turkish culture increase throughout the process. The study indicates that the most common difficulties are related to grammar, lack of speaking practice, and understanding cultural differences. Half of the participants reported using textbooks and TÖMER materials as primary resources, while social media, TV series, and digital platforms were also mentioned as effective supplementary tools. Furthermore, although 75% of the participants initially experienced cultural adaptation challenges, they stated that the hospitality and openness of the Alanya community facilitated their adjustment process. In conclusion, the study suggests adopting a culturally integrated, technology-supported, and value-based approach in teaching Turkish as a foreign language to enhance both linguistic proficiency and intercultural competence.
Teaching Turkish, Foreign Students, Cultural Adaptation, Values Education, Cultural Transmission
| Author : | Yavuz UYSAL |
|---|---|
| Number of pages: | 21-32 |
| DOI: | http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/isorej.87616 |
| Full text: | |
| Diğer Dilde Full text: | |
| Share: | |
| Alıntı Yap: |
By subscribing to E-Newsletter, you can get the latest news to your e-mail.
