Abstract:

The teaching of compulsory modern foreign languages in primary schools in the European countries, especially during the last decade, has been a top issue on the educational agenda. As a natural result of the importance given to the teaching of modern foreign languages, we encounter the teaching of compulsory modern foreign languages in primary schools as a common practice in Europe. Since Turkey, as in its other social systems, struggles on accordance with EU countries on its educational system, it is crucial that the arrangements and applications in European primary schools in relation to the teaching of compulsory modern foreign languages in primary schools should be known. Therefore, in this study the current situation in relation to the teaching of compulsory modern foreign languages in primary schools in thirty European countries are comparatively studied on the issues of; starting age to compulsory foreign language teaching, the most taught foreign language, time and duration devoted to the teaching of modern foreign languages, who teaches modern foreign languages and pre-service teacher education as well as priority issues in the modern foreign language in primary school curricula

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