Turkish

Rationale and Aims

Rationale

Communication is a human imperative. Communication in Turkish involves interaction to convey meaning, as well as imagination, creativity and a broad understanding of ourselves and others. Language learning provides the opportunity for students to engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world and its peoples, and to reflect on their experience in various aspects of social life, including their own participation and ways of being in the world.

Learning Turkish broadens students’ horizons in relation to the personal, social, cultural and employment opportunities that an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world can offer. The interdependence of countries and communities means people in all spheres of life are required to negotiate experiences and meanings across languages and cultures. A capability solely in English, despite its status as a world language, can limit global opportunities. A bilingual or plurilingual capability is the norm in many parts of the world.

Learning Turkish develops learners’:

• communication skills
• literacy skills in their first and additional languages
• intercultural capabilities
• understanding of, and respect for, diversity and difference, and openness to different experiences and perspectives
• understanding and appreciation of how culture shapes worldviews, and extends their understanding of themselves, and their own heritage, values, culture and identity
• critical and creative thinking.

Turkish has been taught in some Australian schools and tertiary institutions since the 1950s, as well as in community-run organisations prior to this time. Turkish is the official language of the Republic of Türkiye and one of the official languages of Cyprus, used predominantly in Northern Cyprus. It is the most commonly spoken Turkic language worldwide, and is widely spoken in parts of Europe, the Middle East and the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan.

Turkish speakers have contributed to shaping multicultural Australia. The campaign of the Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I laid the foundations of what was later to become strong Australian–Turkish connections, and is today characterised by warm and mutually respectful relations, cultural exchanges, consular cooperation and economic and bilateral trade relationships.

Learning Turkish provides opportunities for students to engage socially, culturally and economically in many domains, such as business, trade, science, law, education, tourism, diplomacy, international relations, health and communications.

Australia has strong cultural, historical, political and trade connections with Türkiye, including economic and commercial cooperation and expanding relationships in science and technology. Many Turkish companies have branches in Australia. Turkish speakers and the Turkish language make a distinctive contribution to commerce, sport, art, architecture, cuisine, music, religion, fashion, science, literature, film and theatre.

Aims

The 4 interrelated aims of the Turkish language curriculum are to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure students:

• communicate in Turkish
• understand the relationship between language and culture
• develop intercultural capabilities
• understand themselves as communicators.