Evaluating the readiness levels of ninth grade students for the Turkish Language and Litarature course

For the successful fulfillment of teaching objectives changes were made in the education system and programs through the Ministry of National Education since the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. One of these changes is the transition to the 12-year compulsory education system. With the restructuring of the system, Turkish teaching and Turkish Language and Literature (TLL) teaching have also entered a new educational process. Students who had started secondary school in the 12-year compulsory education system in 2012-2013, started high school education in the 2016-2017 academic year. The aim of this research is to determine and evaluate the level of readiness of the students who started their high school education during the 12-year compulsory education period for the Turkish Language and Literature (TLL) curriculum. Additionally, this research aims to determine and evaluate the effect of students' level of readiness on TLL course success along with some other variables. In this study, Turkish Language and Literature teaching, four basic language skills, grammar teaching, 12-year compulsory education system, Turkish and Turkish Language and Literature curriculum and readiness level were discussed. An achievement scale was developed to determine students' level of readiness for the TLL course. After obtaining the necessary permissions from Balıkesir Provincial Directorate of National Education, the "Turkish Language and Literature Course Readiness Test" was applied to the students studying in Balıkesir. The readiness levels of the students for TLL course and findings related to other sub-problems were reached by analyzing the obtained data using the SPSS23 statistical analysis program. Additionally, Turkish Language and Literature teachers' opinions about the contribution of students' level of readiness for Turkish Language and Literature course success were collected using the "Semi-Structured Interview Form". The contribution of the level of readiness for the TLL course to the success of the TLL course was realized in the teacher interviews held on the rostrum titled "Semi-Structured Interview Form" for teachers' opinions. The quantitative dimension results of the study indicates that students with higher levels of readiness for TLL course are more successful in the Turkish Language and Literature courses. The qualitative dimension results of the study also shows that readiness for TLL affects the Turkish Language and Literature course success. Additionally, it was realized that the effect of readiness on success was higher than other factors examined together. In this case, it was concluded that students' level of readiness for the Turkish Language and Literature course affectes their Turkish Language and Literature course success.