TÜRKÇENİN YABANCI DİL OLARAK ÖĞRETİMİNDE HALK BİLİMİ UNSURLARI: ALTAY TÜRKÇE ÖĞRENİYORUM SETİ ÖRNEĞİ

This study analyzes the use of folklore and folk literature elements in the Altay Turkish Teaching Set for students learning Turkish as a foreign language. Using a descriptive analysis method, the units, texts, visuals, and activities at both beginner (A1-A2) and intermediate (B1-B2) levels were systematically classified in terms of cultural content. Findings indicate that at the beginner level, students’ linguistic and cultural learning is facilitated through everyday life practices and concrete cultural indicators, such as greetings, family structures, and local landmarks. At the intermediate level, more abstract and interpretable elements, including fairy tales, legends, proverbs, traditional ceremonies, and handicrafts, are emphasized. Such a structured progression seeks to ensure the concurrent enhancement of learners’ linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness. The study argues that the systematic incorporation of folklore into language teaching materials enhances learners’ engagement with and understanding of the target culture beyond functional language use. Its primary contribution lies in demonstrating how level-appropriate cultural content can be operationalized through concrete textbook examples, thereby emphasizing the pedagogical significance of structured cultural transmission in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. These findings offer practical implications for textbook design and curriculum development in the field of Turkish language education.