Cultural needs analysis in teaching Turkish as a foreign language

Even though teaching a foreign language dates back to old times, developing and changing world in the last century, correspondingly rapid technological developments and changes in individual learning strategies have led teaching language to become almost a necessity. TÖMER centers which have been established in the scope of universities through Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities under Prime Ministry have become the sub-organizations providing the biggest service in this area. The aim of this study in the field of YTÖ(teaching Turkish as a foreign language) is to determine the cultural needs of graduate and undergraduate international students in Turkey and the elements of culture primarily given in teaching Turkish. In the study, qualitative and quantitative data collection has been used. Sample of the study is made up of 735 graduate and undergraduate international students in 53 universities in Turkey, and besides, interviews have been held with 20 students from 5 universities. The study has been analyzed by "IBM SPSS Statistics 24" and MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software programs. Once the results from this study are evaluated, it is clear that the teacher has significant role the transmission of Turkish culture , textbooks and supplementary materials are useful .In addition to this , It is revealed that out of school trips contribute to the students' language and cultural development. Besides, Turkish culture is learned and acquired more by means of communication like TV and radio, rather than social media networks like Twitter and Facebook. It has been concluded that communication based teaching approach to teaching language in context of Turkish culture ,family structure ,the transmission of literature ,films, theater and some subject related with politics and history should hand in after language teaching It is foreseen that this study on the cultural needs of graduate and undergraduate international students in Turkey will contribute to teaching approaches and methods by developing materials. Key Words: Turkish, international student, culture, cultural needs, needs analysis.