Comparison of textbooks used in teaching Turkish and Arabic as a foreign language

Textbooks are one of the most important tools in teaching a foreign language. Preparing materials requires attention, time and effort. Language is a living thing, constantly changing therefore, materials should continuously be updated. Foreign language materials have a significant impact on student's success and becoming fluent in a foreign language. In this study textbooks used in teaching Arabic and Turkish as a foreign language were comparatively studied. The comparison of different languages and textbooks contributes in the field and education. Detecting similarities and differences helps in answering questions such as; how to develop textbooks, how to make textbook better and what to pay attention to. In this study the similarities and differences in İstabul Yabancılar İçin and Yedi İklim Türkçe Turkish textbooks, Al-Kitaab and Silsiletü'l-Lisan Arabic textbooks were detected using document analysis which is one of the qualitative research methods. Also the methods used to enhance the student's four language skills in Turkish and Arabic textbooks which are the data sources of this research.The data obtained by document analysis were analyzed according the ADOÇM (Common European Frame work of Reference for Languages). As a result of the examination, it was seen that the textbooks used in language teaching of Turkish and Arabic used similar methods to enhance the student's four language skills. It was also proven that the similarities between textbooks of Turkish and Arabic language are more than the differences and Istanbul textbooks used in teaching Turkish as a foreign language are the books that explain grammar in the widest way. The obtained results and suggestions are thought to help Turkish and Arabic instructors and designers of textbooks in this field.