An evaluation on cultural transmission in turkish language teaching textbooks for bilingual Turkish children (Turkish language and Kulture textbooks 1–8)

This study aims to identify the information related to Turkish culture and examine cultural transmission in the Turkish Language and Turkish Culture textbooks, which were prepared by the Turkish Ministry of National Education starting from the 2019-2020 academic year for bilingual Turkish children living abroad. In line with this objective, the study investigates which cultural elements are included in the texts and activities within the textbooks, how frequently these elements appear, and the level of cultural transmission achieved. Qualified and functional textbooks are the most significant factor in ensuring successful language teaching and facilitating cultural transmission, thereby helping individuals establish strong ties with society. A well-prepared textbook will significantly influence and even guide the connection of Turkish people living abroad with their own culture. In the study, the cultural elements presented in the texts and activities of the Turkish Language and Turkish Culture textbooks -prepared by the Ministry of National Education for eight different levels (Levels 1 to 8) in accordance with the decision of the Board of Education and Discipline dated 15.05.2018 and numbered 77- were identified based on the "Scale of Cultural Elements and Sub-Elements Reflected in Texts." The frequency of these cultural elements within the texts and activities, as well as their thematic distribution, was also determined. The scope of the study was expanded by adding the category of cultural diversity to the existing scale, which originally included daily life, interpersonal relations, values and education, literature, art and music, traditions and folklore, social life, geography, and space. Using the content analysis method, this study systematically examined the cultural elements intended to be transmitted through the textbooks. The findings reveal that the Turkish Language and Turkish Culture textbooks contain a considerable number of cultural elements, which are supported by visuals and activities. However, while some cultural elements are heavily emphasized, others are underrepresented. In this context, it was concluded that the cultural elements included in the textbooks are not evenly distributed, which may hinder students from comprehensively understanding cultural diversity. For bilingual Turkish children to recognize, embrace, and sustain their own culture, it is crucial that cultural elements are presented in a balanced manner within the textbooks, thereby enhancing their cultural awareness. Despite the advancements in technology, textbooks continue to play a significant role in terms of accessibility and usability, serving as an essential tool for bilingual Turkish children to systematically learn, preserve, and develop their mother tongue and cultural heritage. In this regard, analyzing the cultural elements presented in the textbooks is of great importance in highlighting the significance of cultural transmission.