Teaching Turkish as a Foreign Language in Turkey's 100th Anniversary

Abstract

Turkish has been spoken and used across vast geographical areas throughout history. Accordingly, the history of teaching Turkish to diverse populations dates back quite far. However, the systematic development of teaching Turkish as a foreign and/or second language is relatively recent. Language teaching holds significant importance in the concept of soft power. Therefore, attention has been paid to language teaching throughout history. In recent years, the increasing economic and political power of Turkey has given additional importance to the teaching of Turkish.

The aim of this study is to determine the progress made in the teaching of Turkish as a foreign language in Turkey as of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, and to examine significant milestones in this process. In this context, the study examines the development of teaching Turkish from the first instance with Kutadgu Bilig to the present day, both domestically and internationally, in various institutions with numerous learners. Utilizing a literature review methodology, the study identifies the advancements in teaching Turkish as a foreign language from its inception to the 2020s. Additionally, it focuses on the progress and outcomes achieved in the field of teaching Turkish as a foreign/second language, which has gained momentum since the early 2000s.