In teaching Turkish as a foreign language the effect of turkish language proficiency on the sociocultural adaptation

This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of Turkish language proficiency on the sociocultural adaptation of international students studying in Turkey. The research also investigated the sociocultural adaptation of students in relation to age, length of stay in Turkey, gender, and reasons for studying in Turkey. The scope of this study covers 205 students studying Turkish at Gazi University TOMER. Of the students surveyed, 92 of them were enrolled in A1-level classes, 96 of them were in B1-level classes, and 17 of them were in B2-level classes. The data were collected using a sociocultural adaptation scale that was developed by Ward and Kennedy in 1991. Permission to use the scale was obtained from the writers via e-mail. The sociocultural adaptation scale is a Likert-type scale, consisting of 20 items. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the scale and yielded two distinct factors: cultural empathy and individual efforts. According to the results gathered from the study, students' language proficiency has a positive effect on their sociocultural adaptation. In the study, it was found that the sociocultural adaptation of B2-level students is better than B1- and A2-level students in terms of both factors and the scale's total point value. A significant difference between B1- and A-level students was not identified. A significant connection was not identified between the students' length of stay in Turkey and their age. Furthermore, no connection was detected between the sociocultural adaptation of students and their age and length of stay in Turkey. When the connection between the students' gender and their sociocultural adaptation was examined, female students were found to have scored higher in the second factor and in the total point value of the scale. According to this data, female international students have achieved better sociocultural adaptation than male international students in Turkey. In the research, it was found that the students' primary reasons for studying in Turkey were "their own interest" and "to receive an education in Turkey." These were followed by appealing scholarship opportunities in Turkey and other reasons. No meaningful connection was found between students' preference for Turkey and their sociocultural adaptation. The data gathered from the study were interpreted and the necessary suggestions to improve students' sociocultural adaptation were outlined. Keywords: International Students, Sociocultural Adaptation, Language Proficiency, Cultural Shock