TURKISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN TERMS OF LANGUAGE TOURISM AND LANGUAGE TOURIST

Abstract

This study analyzes students' language learning motivations using a mixed-method approach by addressing the concepts of "language tourism" and "language tourist" for the first time in Turkish tourism history. With globalization, communication, and educational processes, language tourism has become a significant form of tourism. It refers to individuals traveling to a country where the target language is spoken in order to learn or improve that language. Beyond the classroom setting, this method is supported by cultural interaction and real-life experiences. Türkiye, with its historical richness and unique cultural heritage, is a strong destination for language tourism. The process, which began during the Ottoman period with the practice of sending "Dil Oğlanları- Language Boys," became institutionalized with the establishment of Ankara University TÖMER in 1984. As of 2018, Turkish language teaching centers exist in 166 universities. Between 2013 and 2023, 1,621,974 international students came to Türkiye, significantly increasing the country's economic gain from language tourism. Long-term stays and cultural engagement position language tourism as an important pillar of sustainable tourism.