School of Foreign Languages

Hello. I am Dr. Ferdane DENKÇİ AKKAŞ, Assistant Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University's School of Foreign Languages. I am the director of the School. Our School is dedicated to providing preparatory education to students who are enrolled in the university's programs that are entirely taught in a foreign language and who do not meet the required foreign language proficiency. Additionally, we offer preparatory education for students who wish to receive it as an optional program in Turkish-medium programs. Furthermore, our School also offers various courses within the undergraduate programs of faculties. These include general-purpose foreign language courses, specialized foreign language courses, academic foreign language courses, and professional foreign language courses. Currently, our School provides preparatory education in English and Spanish. Starting from the academic year 2023-2024, with the initiation of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences' student admissions, we will also introduce an Arabic preparatory program. We have a considerable number of instructors proficient in English, Spanish, Arabic, and French, specifically for departmental courses. All our instructors hold a master's or doctoral degree or are currently pursuing their graduate studies. The classrooms in our School, located in the Orhanlı campus, are designed specifically for foreign language education. Our classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboard systems, which are essential for foreign language instruction. We also have a computer laboratory where students can engage in individual studies. The computer laboratory provides various applications and materials for our students. Additionally, we have a dedicated reading room exclusive to the School of Foreign Languages. In our reading room, we have a wide range of graded reading books and various study materials that students can borrow during their free time. Students can benefit from these resources to enhance their foreign language learning process. The preparatory program at our institution lasts for one academic year, consisting of a total of 30 weeks. We do not follow a modular system in our preparatory program, but we plan it in four periods. Each period lasts approximately 7 to 8 weeks. Based on the midterm exam results at the end of each period, we determine the new classes for our students. Students continue their classes with new programs and instructors in their respective new classes. During the preparatory program, our students follow the curriculum prepared by our curriculum and materials development office. When students first join the preparatory program, they take a placement exam at the beginning of the academic year and a proficiency exam. Students who do not pass the proficiency exam are placed in an appropriate level based on their placement exam scores, and they continue their classes at that level throughout the year. They follow the curriculum and use the materials provided by the curriculum and materials development office according to their level. In the preparatory program, we aim to improve both general language proficiency and provide students with the academic competence they will need in their respective undergraduate programs. Additionally, all the exams conducted within our preparatory program, including the placement exam at the beginning of the year, proficiency exams at the beginning, middle, and end of the year, as well as quizzes and midterm exams, are prepared and administered by our measurement and evaluation unit. The progress of the program is also monitored by this office. Furthermore, to evaluate students' performance throughout the year, we utilize alternative assessment methods since we provide a process-oriented education. Students prepare portfolios, make presentations, develop projects, and thus enhance their foreign language learning process.

In order for a preparatory student to be considered successful in the preparatory program, they must score at least 70 on the foreign language proficiency exam. However, for undergraduate programs in English Language Teaching and Spanish Language and Literature, our passing grade is 80. Additionally, students with a cumulative grade average of 85 and above throughout the year can directly start their undergraduate studies without taking the proficiency exam. For students who choose to enroll in a program taught entirely in a foreign language at Istanbul Medeniyet University, I have some recommendations. First and foremost, they should remember that our university is a state university. Furthermore, if they choose to study in a program conducted entirely in a foreign language, they will undergo a one-year preparatory education at the School of Foreign Languages. In this regard, I would like to highlight the following features that distinguish our School of Foreign Languages from other institutions: our most important feature is our young and dynamic faculty, who are experienced and experts in foreign language education. We have a faculty composed of young instructors who are highly experienced in foreign language education, particularly catering to the age group of young adults. The second point I would like to mention is the highly equipped classrooms of our school for effective foreign language education. Our classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and sound systems, which greatly contribute to technology-supported and interactive teaching. We have a traditional pre-fest, which is a preparatory festival, at our vocational school. At the end of the academic year, with the support of our faculty members, our students organize this event. We arrange a small spring festival with self-written plays, concerts, competitions, and sports activities performed in a foreign language. Furthermore, throughout the year, we introduce them to their department instructors, raise awareness about opportunities for studying abroad, and support various social activities they wish to organize. I want to emphasize that we provide them with support in these endeavors. University life, as I mentioned before, is not just about academic studies. I can say that we orient them to the period they will spend in their departments. Finally, I wish you all success in the university entrance exam process. On behalf of Istanbul Medeniyet University, I would like to express that we look forward to welcoming all of you to our institution and university.