Teaching Turkish as a Second Language: Research Trends, Results, and Future Perspectives

The present study reviewed research on teaching Turkish as a second language in primary schools in Türkiye using a descriptive approach. A total of 127 articles and postgraduate theses were analyzed through descriptive content analysis, with discussions about research “trends” and “results” for each study. The findings indicated that the number of publications rose in 2020, 2021, and 2023, and the studies primarily aimed to determine the current status of teaching Turkish as a second language in primary schools. These studies were conducted using qualitative research methods; the study groups included teachers, and data were collected through interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Most studies did not examine a specific language skill but focused on educational environments, characteristics of teachers and students, and innovative methods. Results of the studies were categorized as structural and functional concerning educational environments, teacher and student characteristics, and innovative approaches and methods. The present study's findings were discussed based on the literature, and several recommendations were provided for future research.