The Role of Proverbs in Forming Intercultural Awareness (On the Basis of Teaching English, Georgian and Turkish Languages)

The research is expected to contribute to the study of proverbs in foreign language acquisition to develop intercultural competence and fill in the gap in foreign language teacher education. The research investigates what attitudes English teachers in Turkey and Georgia have towards the teaching of proverbs in foreign language classrooms and their knowledge of proverbs in general. The research hypothesis is the following: "Foreign language teachers underestimate the significant role of proverbs in forming intercultural competence in foreign language acquisition; however, designing creative materials will encourage teachers to teach proverbs in foreign language classes." The goal of the research is to raise the teachers' awareness of the teaching of proverbs and has suggestions for foreign language teachers to promote the value of proverbs in their second language teaching classes. Our study of proverbs was developed to investigate three specific areas: 1. "Semantic approach to proverbs about children in English, Georgian and Turkish languages." 2. "English Teachers' attitudes towards learning and teaching proverbs." 3. "Developing Foreign Language Skills and Intercultural Awareness of Young Students by Teaching Proverbs in English, Georgian and Turkish Languages." The novelty and theoretical value of the research is that it is the first systematic study of the proverbs in three languages (English, Turkish and Georgian) in the areas outlined above.Proverbs improve intercultural awareness among students; thus foreign language teachers are expected to be inspired by the results of this research. The Methods used in the study are comparative (proverbs from three nations, English, Georgian, and Turkish) and contrastive methods of identification (teachers of English from Georgia and Turkey); descriptive methods; collection of primary data; statistical/quantitative (the Survey), and qualitative (in-depth interview analysis) methods. 177 English language teachers from Georgia and Turkey participated in the Survey. Research results are presented in figures and tables, and further explanation with summary comments is provided in respective sections. Research subject is determining the conceptual framework for the study of proverbs in foreign language acquisition in order to develop intercultural competence, and addressing the importance of teaching proverbs in second language teaching education. Research target groups are 13-18 year old pupils as well as field specialists, EFL methodology experts, English language teachers, and pupils' parents. The theoretical value of the study is that it is the first systematic study of the proverbs in three languages (English, Turkish and Georgian) in the directions outlined above. The results of the study can be used in theoretical and practical courses of paremiology and foreign language teaching. Research outcomes are reflected in conclusions and recommendations presented in the thesis. [Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]