Investigating the contribution of the European Union Erasmus Plus (Erasmus+) Youth Exchange projects to foreign language learning

The purpose of this study is to investigate the views of the European Union (EU) Erasmus+ Youth Exchange (YE) projects' participants regarding their foreign language motivation and speaking fluency development. By utilizing purposive sampling method, the study was carried out with the participation of members of non-governmental organisations, namely, Edirne Nature Sports Club Association and Sakarya Cycling and Nature Sports Club Association. Both Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been actively involved in European Union Erasmus+ projects implemented between 2014 and 2020. In this study, qualitative research design and 'standardized open-ended interview' model were utilized. The research questions aim to find out whether the EU Youth Exchange Program plays an important role on participants' foreign language learning motivation and English speaking fluency. Qualitative research questions prepared by the researcher aim to explore two main research questions; 1. What are the participants' views regarding the contribution of EU Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects to their English speaking skills? 2. What are the participants' views regarding the contribution of EU Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects to their English learning motivation? The participants of the study were 10 Turkish teenagers and young adults whose ages ranged from 27 to 31. Content Analysis Method was used to analyze the interviews. In this qualitative study, interviewees were addressed ten open-ended interview questions that had been approved by expert opinion. The interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed by utilizing descriptive coding and Content Analysis method via MAXQDA 2018 Qualitative Data Analysis Software. For the validity and credibility of the research, codings and findings were reviewed and approved by an expert in the qualitative research field. The findings of the research reveal that according to the views of the participants EU Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Projects provide several benefits to participants in terms of improving foreign language level, and Youth Exchange projects have contributed to participants' English speaking fluency and foreign language learning motivation.