The use of personalized texts for teaching Turkish as a second language

Abstract

This study attempted to identify the advantages of using personalized texts for teaching Turkish grammar rules to foreigners. The sample comprised two homogenous groups, one experimental and one control, who studied at TÖMER (Turkish Language Learning Research and Application Center) at Gazi University. The students in the experimental group were taught grammar classes using personalized texts based on information obtained from a student-completed personal information form (including their age; the names of their parents; their birthday and marital status; the names of their children, if any; and their occupation, country, and address). Similarly, the pre- and post-tests contained questions that were specifically designed for them. On the other hand, the students in the control group were taught grammar classes using the examples included in the grammar textbook. The results showed that those in the experimental group exhibited higher achievement in the grammar classes and were quicker to make progress in using the language.