Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye

Esma Bostan; Elif İlhan

doi:10.17275/per.26.12.13.1

Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the “Turkish as a foreign language course programs” implemented in public education centers to teach Turkish to foreign adults. Applying a qualitative case study design, data were obtained from semi-structured interviews. The study group consisted of 11 instructors and 33 trainees in public education centers operating in Ankara. In data collection process, two separate semi-structured interview forms were used, and the content analysis method was used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that the programs largely meet the needs of trainees, but issues as inadequacy of the duration, deficiencies in material support, the weight of traditional methods in measurement and evaluation processes, limited application of communicative approach principles and insufficient consideration of individual differences limited their effectiveness. Moreover, the instructors stated that the programs should be more flexible, functional, and andragogy-based. Additionally, the trainees emphasized their satisfactions with instructors’ competencies, the need to focus more on skill-based development in course content and exam practices. The study highlights the necessity of revising Turkish as a foreign language course programs in alignment with andragogic principles. In line with the results, suggestions for regarding curriculum development and instructor training are presented along with the ones with the further research.

Keywords

Adult education, Andragogy, Curriculum, Immigrant, Refugee, Teaching Turkish to foreigners, Turkish course programs

Ethical Statement

This study was discussed at the meeting numbered 04 of the Ethics Commission of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Rectorate held on 24.04.2024 and it was unanimously decided that there was no ethical objection. Research approval was notified with the letter dated 11.03.2024 and numbered 254971 (Research Code No: 2024-109).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Language Studies (Other), Specialist Studies in Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Esma Bostan
0000-0003-9797-0585
Türkiye

Elif İlhan ^*
0000-0002-8536-1571
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

December 9, 2025

Publication Date

January 5, 2026

Submission Date

July 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.12.13.1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39MP82JY

APA

Bostan, E., & İlhan, E. (2026). Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye. Participatory Educational Research, 13(1), 213-230. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.12.13.1

AMA

1.Bostan E, İlhan E. Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye. PER. 2026;13(1):213-230. doi:10.17275/per.26.12.13.1

Chicago

Bostan, Esma, and Elif İlhan. 2026. “Analysis of ‘Turkish As a Foreign Language Course Programs’ Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye”. Participatory Educational Research 13 (1): 213-30. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.12.13.1.

EndNote

Bostan E, İlhan E (January 1, 2026) Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye. Participatory Educational Research 13 1 213–230.

IEEE

[1]E. Bostan and E. İlhan, “Analysis of ‘Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs’ Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye”, PER, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 213–230, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.17275/per.26.12.13.1.

ISNAD

Bostan, Esma - İlhan, Elif. “Analysis of ‘Turkish As a Foreign Language Course Programs’ Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye”. Participatory Educational Research 13/1 (January 1, 2026): 213-230. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.12.13.1.

JAMA

1.Bostan E, İlhan E. Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye. PER. 2026;13:213–230.

MLA

Bostan, Esma, and Elif İlhan. “Analysis of ‘Turkish As a Foreign Language Course Programs’ Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye”. Participatory Educational Research, vol. 13, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 213-30, doi:10.17275/per.26.12.13.1.

Vancouver

1.Esma Bostan, Elif İlhan. Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye. PER. 2026 Jan. 1;13(1):213-30. doi:10.17275/per.26.12.13.1

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Analysis of “Turkish as a Foreign Language Course Programs” Implemented in Public Education Centers in Türkiye

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