The event titled “Teaching
Turkish to Foreigners and Cultural Diplomacy,” organized online by FBÜTÖMER
via Blackboard on 29 January 2025, was held with the participation of academics
and educators who are experts in the field. The guest speaker was Associate
Professor Aslı FİŞEKÇİOĞLU of Marmara University.
Associate Professor Aslı
FİŞEKÇİOĞLU discussed the importance of cultural diplomacy and its influence
and power in teaching Turkish to foreigners, drawing on examples from her
academic experience and personal observations. Based on her expertise, she shared
key considerations regarding the approaches that should be adopted in Turkish
language teaching and provided particularly valuable guidance for instructors
who are new to the field. She emphasized that cultural diplomacy is not limited
to the process of teaching a language but also serves as an important means of
strengthening intercultural interaction.
The event was further
enriched by the contributions and insights of academics from different
universities. By sharing their own experiences, the participants created a
productive environment for discussion on cultural diplomacy and teaching
Turkish to foreigners. The educators exchanged views on how cultural elements
could be incorporated more effectively into language teaching.
A question-and-answer
session was held at the end of the event. Participants addressed their
questions to Associate Professor Aslı FİŞEKÇİOĞLU and received further
information on the topics that interested them. An interactive discussion
focused particularly on how cultural elements could be addressed more
effectively in Turkish language teaching and conveyed to students.
The event provided a
productive and informative gathering for academics and educators working in the
field of teaching Turkish to foreigners, combining theoretical knowledge with
practical experience.
The event, attended by 79
participants, concluded with Lecturer Egemen Ozan SÖNMEZ, Director of the
Center, presenting Associate Professor Aslı FİŞEKÇİOĞLU with a certificate of
appreciation.
