The effect of using Quizlet in teaching vocabulary to those learning Turkish as a foreign language

Language is a tool that individuals use to convey their feelings and thoughts. This tool played an important role in many civilizations taking their place on the stage of history and transferring their experiences to future generations. People need communication in order for societies to live together, to transfer cultural and social values to another community, and to maintain commercial activities throughout the ages. In this respect, communication has served as a bridge between civilizations. Technology has become an indispensable tool today, as the internet has become widely used as a tool since the 21st century, individuals' need for technology has increased, technology-related developments have occurred in the social and cultural fields, and societies have interacted with different cultures in their environments. With the developments in technology, different applications have been produced through which people can learn languages. Especially in teaching Turkish as a foreign language, it is seen that educators use technology to provide faster and more permanent information to learners. Web 2.0 tools used in education make it easier for individuals to learn the language they are trying to learn and accelerate the learning process. One of the preferred digital tools for teaching vocabulary in a foreign language is Quizlet. Quizlet is a tool that supports vocabulary teaching in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. Vocabulary studies in Quizlet allow learners to learn faster and easier. Quizlet's features, such as being able to be used both in the classroom and in individual study areas, being able to track the learner's progress, and making mistakes are noticed by the application, provide great convenience to the learner. Many studies have been conducted in teaching English as a foreign language investigating the effect of Quizlet on vocabulary learning. Studies have shown that Quizlet is effective in learning vocabulary. When the literature is examined, it is seen that the effect of Quizlet on vocabulary learning in teaching Turkish as a foreign language has not been investigated. In this context, the question "What and how is the effect of Quizlet on teaching vocabulary to those learning Turkish as a foreign language?" Based on the problem question, it is aimed to determine what and how the effect of Quizlet is on teaching vocabulary to those learning Turkish as a foreign language. A mixed research model was used in the study. A quasi-experimental research model was chosen for the quantitative part of the study. The experimental and control group consists of 40 learners learning Turkish at B1 level. Research data were collected with a vocabulary test created by the researcher as a pre-test and post-test. The data obtained was analyzed with the SPSS program. Case study design was used in the qualitative study part of the research. Data were collected from 20 learners in the experimental group through the activity evaluation form created by the researcher and by conducting a focus group interview with 4 students in the experimental group. The data obtained was analyzed by content analysis. As a result of the study, it was determined that the use of Quizlet in teaching vocabulary to students learning Turkish as a foreign language was effective in improving the vocabulary knowledge of the learners and that it made a significant difference in the development of the vocabulary knowledge of the experimental group. 2 themes and 55 sub-sections were created from the data obtained from the evaluation forms regarding the impact of Quizlet. When the opinions obtained from the focus group discussions were examined, 2 themes and 21 sub-themes were reached. The results obtained from the students' opinions reveal that using Quizlet in teaching vocabulary has positive effects. Key words: Teaching Turkish as a foreign language, teaching vocabulary, teaching Turkish vocabulary as a foreign language, Web 2.0 tools, Quizlet.