Direct and indirect speech in teaching Turkish as a foreign language

The communication of a nation with different nations has caused the need to learn a foreign language. In this context, some approaches, methods and techniques have been used to teach and learn each language. Although the history of teaching Turkish as a foreign language is rather old, teaching Turkish as a foreign language modern techniques and methods has gained momentum in the last fifty years. Especially the Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities established within the premises of the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry, as well as Maarif (Education) Schools, Yunus Emre Institute and Turkish Education Centres of universities opened to teach Turkish to foreign students at their schools, have made a great contribution to the teaching of Turkish as a foreign language. Individuals who learn Turkish as a foreign language are supposed to learn the grammar rules and use them with other language skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking). The subject of "direct and indirect speech" was dealt in three main sections in our study: current grammar books, source books of teaching Turkish as a foreign language and textbooks of teaching Turkish as a foreign language. Compiling out of all these sources and various works, the subject of "direct and indirect speech" was analysed through examples. The rules of the steps that should be applied in turning direct sentences into indirect sentences were presented and exemplified. Activity examples of the subject of "direct and indirect speech" were also presented. It is projected that giving the subject of "direct and indirect speech"- an important language structure for people who learn Turkish as a foreign language- in reading, comprehension, writing and speaking activities will contribute to language learners' better understanding of the subject.