The Reasons of Syrians Learning Turkish as a Second Language, Their Perceptions of Turkey and Their Future Expectations

International Association of Educators. Available from: PEN Academic Publishing. e-mail: [email protected]; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://inased.org/ijpepi/

Y

20

Foreign Countries; Turkish; Second Language Learning; Learning Motivation; Employment; Higher Education; Refugees; College Students; Student Attitudes; Place of Residence

Syria; Turkey

1554-5210

The Syrian question has not remained as an internal conflict; instead, it has affected both Turkey as well as whole Europe. According to 2020 statistics, approximately three and a half million Syrians reside in Turkey, and approximately 850 thousand of these Syrians are young people between the ages of 15-24.The determination of the reasons why the young population who could be regarded as the future of the Syria learn Turkish, their perceptions of Turkey and expectations from the future, is vitally important for both the proper administration of their process' of learning Turkish as a second language, as well as for the planning of the future of the young Syrians. This study, which aims to determine the reasons why Syrians who choose to learn Turkish as a second language, their perceptions of Turkey and expectations from the future, has been prepared per the qualitative research model. An interview form to be used in the study was prepared by the assistance of experts in the field and the form was administered to sixty-six participants. The data were analyzed by using the descriptive analysis method. According to the results of the research, Syrians want to learn Turkish in order to meet their basic needs, to get education, to find a job, to work and to eliminate communication problems in daily life. Language, education, finding a job, adaptation problems, university placement and getting an identity card stand out as the issues that Syrians have difficulties in Turkey. 52.1 percent of the young people plan to graduate from university and begin working immediately. The most important factor in this is that people have families they are responsible for and they have to make a living. The future expectations of young people, who are struggling to learn a language, receive higher education, find a job and continue their lives, look for security, peace, stability and success. Syrian young people want to leave the war behind and carry on the future with hope. In this context, it is necessary for all countries to accept their responsibilities and to determine a common framework for the solution of the problem.

As Provided

2022

EJ1332592