Examination of social studies teachers' opinions on the problems faced by foreign secondary students (Antalya Konyaaltı example)

This study aims to examine the opinions of social studies teachers about the problems faced by foreign secondary school students (Antalya Konyaaltı example), identify these problems, and propose solutions to the identified issues. In these research, a qualitative research method with a phenomenology design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured interview forms from (38) social studies teachers working in (15) private and state middle schools in Konyaaltı district during the 2022-2023 academic year and the collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. In the study, according to the opinions of social studies teachers, the problems of foreign students are language problems, communication, adaptation, academic failure, exclusion by their peers, being taught slang words by their peers, psychological problems, grouping and ganging up among themselves, not needing to learn another language, and resistance to using language, Turkish parents' concern that they may become a minority, problems stemming from the social studies curriculum, etc. problems have been identified. To address these problems, the study recommends adding new topics to the social studies curriculum that cater to foreign national and local (Turkish) students, providing language education and adaptation programs, establishing adaptation classes, offering inclusive in-service training for teachers and teacher candidates regarding foreign national students, adding multiculturalism courses to the social studies curriculum, expanding extracurricular learning opportunities, conducting seminars, conferences, and other activities, conducting quantitative studies on the subject, and periodically renewing ongoing efforts.