Research in Second Language Education

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Preface

Globalization increasing its power by using language, and language becoming more effective by using the arguments of the global world, result in countries attaching great importance to language education. In fact, it is observed that researches on language education are gradually increasing with the effects of globalization being experienced in recent years.

The convergence policies Turkey is following, primarily towards Africa and Middle Eastern countries, and its efforts for integration with other world countries also produce an intensive synergy in the policies Turkey is following for language education. Turkish has gained ground in becoming a world language specifically in recent years. Turkish cultural centers, opened in many countries, have both played a significant role in revealing this interest and caused this interest to continue increasingly. In parallel with these developments, in scientific environments interested in Turkish, language education in general and specifically education in Turkish as a foreign language come into prominence as a special subject field.

Specifically, when the social, cultural and economic effects of world power countries on other countries are considered, examining problems experienced in this field more and immediately putting forth solutions are very important. In fact, it is also seen in this book that the effects of language education methods, effects of language on culture transfer, effects of course – book examinations, behavior, attitude and motivation on language learning and place of specifically YouTube, Facebook and such social platforms in language education are selected more as subjects for examination by researchers.

The book in this respect is intending to meet some important studies performed on Turkish as a second language with researchers. The articles in the book are the developed and revised forms of oral presentations of researchers at the Congress of Turkish Education as a 2^nd International Foreign Language held in Munich on the dates May 19–21 2016. Our greatest wish is to have the studies be beneficial for all researchers, primarily trainers.

We should like to state that we have not been alone while performing all these activities; on the contrarily, we have received support from many people and institutions. Beyond doubt, the greatest support was from Turkish enthusiasts who have set their hearts on Turkish academically. In this regard, the support of Sakarya University, Yunus Emre Institute, T.R. Prime Ministry of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities and Turkish Language Society in ← 9 | 10 → organizing the congress cannot be ignored. We’d like to thank once again the individuals, institutions and their managers who have provided full support.

Editors
Ismail Güleç
Bekir Ince
Alpaslan Okur

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Scientific Committee

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Prof. Dr. Cemal Yildiz* & Okt. Seçil Şen**

The Suitability of Turkish Textbooks for Target Audience: A Case Study of Turkish Learners in Berlin

Abstract: Multiculturalism in Berlin and the multilingualism that accompanies it is an undeniable reality. The multicultural structure of the target learner group is a notable point in terms of learning needs and cultural transfer in language teaching. There are many language schools in Berlin where various Turkish textbooks are used. This study aims to investigate if the textbooks “Yeni Hitit” by Ankara University TÖMER, “Yabancı Dilim Türkçe” by Dilmer and “Yedi İklim Türkçe” by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü are suitable for the target learner group in Berlin. This research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. A survey was conducted in order to acquire background knowledge about the target learner group, determine its needs and gain insight into its thoughts about the textbooks used by the group. Four criteria were determined and used while preparing the questions for the survey. The views of a group of Turkish learners were elicited using interviews and the survey was carried out in two language schools and the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Turkish Culture Center Berlin. The textbooks were thus examined with regard to their physical features, educational design, visual representation and their methods by means of basing them on topics, texts and exercises included in the contents. The findings are presented from a critical point of view.

As a result of the study, the profile of Turkish learners in Berlin was determined. According to the profile, the target learner group reflects the multicultural society in Berlin. According to the reasons for learning Turkish, learning needs and opinions of Turkish learners about the textbook they use, all three textbooks that were analyzed lack certain features. In particular, taking into account the fact that intercultural interaction increases the level of motivation in language learning, cultural transfer can be viewed as an insufficient feature of those textbooks which should be improved. When Turkish learners in Berlin are analyzed, it is understood that the reality of a multicultural society should be taken seriously and cultural transfer in language teaching should be provided. Additionally, it is determined that there is a need for the development of teaching materials that are suitable for the European standards of quality (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), address the needs of both university students and other learners, provide ← 13 | 14 → opportunities for improving all language skills, include authentic dialogues and texts, and at the same time give information about Turkey and the Turkish culture. The scarcity of these kinds of materials negatively affects the quality of Turkish teaching abroad.