Abstract:

In 1935, Sinology Department at the Faculty of Languages, History and Geography was established with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s directives. With the establishment of Sinology Department, Professor Annemarie von Gabain, who was a German specialist of Turkic language and culture, was appointed to head of Sinology Department. Subsequently, in 1937, Professor Eberhard, one of the most accomplished sinologists, took over the head of Sinology Department from Professor von Gabain. These two most valuable professors trained the Turkish students who contribute to field of China studies and laid the foundation for Chinese language teaching in Türkiye. Today, China studies in Türkiye continues to grow rapidly with the legacy of Prof. Dr. Muhaddere Nabi Özerdim, the first Turkish female Sinologist of Türkiye trained by Eberhard himself, Professor von Gabain, andProfessor Eberhard. Recently, each year, hundreds of students learn Chinese with Chinese programs at Ankara University, Erciyes University, Istanbul University, Okan University and Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University as well as primary and secondary schools which offer Chinese courses. The aim of this study is to examine the phases of teaching Chinese as a foreign language in Türkiye from past to present. In addition, our aim is to shed light on the questions about when Türkiye started teaching Chinese language and how the process continued.

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