Examination of the opinions on the problems faced by teachers in teaching Turkish to foreign students -Adana province sample-

In our country, institutions and organizations that teach Turkish to foreigners generally provide education for adults. However, the lack of variety in the course material prepared for younger age groups, the shortage of resources, the use of language teaching methods and techniques suitable for children are some of the problems experienced by teachers who teach Turkish to children. In this study, it is aimed to collect information about the opinions about the problems faced by the teachers in teaching Turkish to foreign students. Qualitative research method was used in the research and it was designed in a case study pattern depending on this method. The study group of the research consists of 20 permanent elementary school teachers in Adana and 29 PIKTES teachers assigned in Adana. Interviews were conducted with 5 of 29 PIKTES teachers through a semi-structured interview form, and data was collected with a semi-structured interview form with 24 of them. Interviews were conducted with 20 permanent teachers through a semi-structured interview form. The data obtained in the research were analyzed by content analysis method and descriptive analysis method. As a result of the research, one of the most important problems in Turkish teaching is that despite learning to read and write, there are difficulties in understanding, their readiness is insufficient, there are problems in adapting to the environment, the families do not provide enough support, the course materials are limited and the classrooms are physically unsuitable for language teaching. In some of the applications and suggestions, some similarities and some differences were determined. Teachers agree that teaching Turkish language to foreign children should start in preschool or from the first grade. Keywords: Foreign children, Turkish as a foreign language.