Programın Detayları

Introduction

Rapid developments in globalization and communication technologies have made it necessary for individuals to communicate effectively not only in their own languages but also in foreign languages. Today, learning a foreign language has gone beyond being merely an individual goal; it has become an essential tool that supports cultural interaction, academic achievement, and professional development.

In this respect, foreign language teaching programs aim not only to provide linguistic competence but also to establish a dynamic structure that promotes cultural awareness and fosters lifelong learning skills.

Through its international higher education activities conducted by the Open Education Faculty, Anadolu University has been offering educational opportunities for more than forty years to Turkish citizens, individuals of Turkish origin, and citizens of various other countries in more than forty countries, especially at Europe. Throughout this period, the objectives have extended beyond the transmission of academic knowledge; preserving the Turkish language and culture, passing them on to new generations, and reinforcing a sense of cultural belonging have also remained among the principal aims.

The Turkish Language and Culture program addresses not only individuals of Turkish origin but also a wider student population wishing to learn Turkish as a foreign language. By offering comprehensive Turkish preparatory education at the A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 levels, the program seeks to develop students’ linguistic competencies in a systematic and progressive manner.

Upon completing the preparatory stage, students continue to a two-year associate degree program and become part of comprehensive educational process centered on the Turkish language, Turkish culture, and Turkish social life. Within this program, alongside courses designed to further develop language skills at an advanced level, students are also offered content in areas such as Turkish literature, geography, cultural values, the structure of Turkish society, and everyday life in Türkiye

Thanks to this integrated model, the program is not confined to language teaching alone; it also enables students to become familiar to Turkish culture in a multidimensional and contextualized way. Thus, beyond learning the structural features of the language, students are expected to develop a broad perspective on Turkish society and to continue their academic lives in a more well-equipped manner.

The sustainability and academic quality of the program are ensured through Anadolu University’s strong digital infrastructure, extensive experience in distance education, and institutional expertise in organizing international education.

General Objectives of the Program

The Turkish Preparatory Program has been designed on the basis of the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)” published by the Council of Europe. Within this framework, Turkish language teaching is structured to cover the levels A1–A2 (Basic User), B1–B2 (Independent User), and C1 (Proficient User).

The program aims to develop the communicative competencies, linguistic awareness, and cultural interaction skills of individuals learning Turkish as a foreign language. It seeks to enable participants to use Turkish effectively in situations they may encounter in daily life and to develop the four fundamental language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through a holistic approach.

The program has been prepared in accordance to the general objectives and basic principles of the CEFR and supports students not only in terms of linguistic proficiency but also in terms of cultural sensitivity, openness in communication, and social adaptation skills. In line with this framework, it aims to gradually develop the communicative, grammatical, social, and intercultural competencies of individuals learning Turkish as a foreign language.

The content of the program has been structured according to the level descriptors specified in the CEFR for the stages A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1:

Basic User:

• A1: Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of concrete needs. Can introduce himself/herself and others, and can ask and answer questions about personal details (for example, where they live, people they know, and things they have). Can interact in a simple way provided that the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
• A2: Can understand frequently used expressions and sentences related to areas of most immediate relevance such as personal and family information, shopping, work, and the immediate environment. Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe his/her background, education, surroundings, and immediate needs.

Independent User:

• B1: Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in a country where the language learned is spoken. When clear and standard language is used, can understand the main points of speech on familiar matters such as work, school, and leisure activities. Can express himself/herself in a simple but connected way on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe events and experiences; explain dreams, expectations, aims, and goals; and give basic reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
• B2: Can grasp the main ideas of texts dealing with both abstract and concrete topics; can understand discussions in his/her own field of specialization. Can interact with native speakers with a degree of fluency and naturalness without much strain. Can express himself/herself clearly and in detail on a wide range of subjects, state an opinion on a current issue, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a given issue.

Proficient User:

• C1: Can understand long and complex texts of various types and recognize implicit meanings and nuances within the text. Can express himself/herself fluently and spontaneously, immediately using accurate words and expressions without much obvious searching. Can use the language effectively and flexibly for social, professional, and academic purposes. Can present views on complex issues clearly, systematically, and in detail, and can appropriately use a variety of linguistic devices to connect texts.

Turkish Preparatory Program

A modular system is implemented in the Turkish preparatory program. Each module covers one language level. When students successfully complete their current level, they proceed to the next level.

Program Duration

The Turkish preparatory program is planned to be completed within one academic year. Each level in the program consists of a total of eight (8) weeks, of which seven (7) weeks are devoted to instruction and one (1) week is allocated to examinations. A newly enrolled student whose Turkish is insufficient is obliged to raise his/her Turkish to an adequate level within one (1) academic year in the “Turkish Preparatory Program.”

Instructional Platform

The Turkish preparatory program will be conducted through the online instructional platform accessible at https://turkish.anadolu.edu.tr/ By offering rich and integrated content for all language skills on the platform, the program aims to help students develop their reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills simultaneously

Through this platform, students will be able to access textbooks, live classes, individual study materials, video lessons, interactive activities, and topic summaries. In addition, the platform will enable students to become familiar with Turkish culture, thereby helping them develop language learning within a cultural context. Thanks to this holistic structure, students will have the opportunity both to reinforce their language skills and to learn Turkish together with its cultural depth.

The midterm and final examinations to be administered within the scope of the program will also be conducted through the same online platform. Thus, students’ learning, review, and assessment processes will take place within a single integrated structure.

Materials Used

Throughout the program and at all levels, the Turkish for International Students textbook of Anadolu University is used. The textbook consists of seven units, and each unit is made up of three sections.

To support the textbook, there are materials aligned with the theme of each unit. These materials include:

Video Lessons

The video lessons included in each unit have been prepared to present the topics in a simple, clear, and instructive manner. Students can access these lessons without any limitation of time or place and follow them at their own pace of learning.

The video lesson content is designed to include vocabulary teaching, explanations of grammar structures, and presentations enriched with practical examples. In this way, students consolidate the learning outcomes of each unit through visual and auditory support and experience lasting learning.

What have we learned so far?

This section provides students with a review area that enables them to revisit the topics covered in the relevant unit. The topics addressed throughout the unit are explained again through audio-visual materials such as videos and infographics. In this way, students have the opportunity to reinforce what they have learned, to revisit the points they need, and to manage their own learning processes more effectively.

Now It’s My Turn!

In this section, which allows students to reinforce what they have learned, there are interactive activities related to the grammar and vocabulary included in the units, such as drag-and-drop, matching, and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Through these activities, students can monitor and check their own learning

About Everyday Life

Within this section, dialogues taken from daily life, cultural situations, and examples related to real life are presented. The aim is to show students how they can use the language they have learned in real-life contexts. This section includes content aligned with the theme

Culture Corner

Through this section, students are expected to gain an understanding not only of the language but also of Turkish culture through videos presenting cultural values such as Türkiye’s traditions, social structure, food culture, holidays, and related elements

Assessment and Evaluation

At each level, a midterm examination and a level completion examination (DBS) are administered in order to monitor students’ learning processes and support their progress. The student’s achievement grade is calculated based on the 30% contribution from the midterm examination and the 70% contribution from the level completion examination.

The midterm examination is evaluated based on quizzes and the completion status of the content available on the instructional platform. The student’s achievement grade is taken as the basis for progression to the next level. A student who is unsuccessful at the end of the level repeats the level that he/she has failed.

Certification

Students who successfully complete the Turkish preparatory program at the B2 level are considered to have reached independent user proficiency in the language. According to CEFR criteria, the B2 level includes the ability to understand the main ideas of complex texts, communicate fluently in social and academic environments, and express one’s thoughts clearly. Students who reach this level become eligible to start the associate degree program.

Students who wish to obtain the Anadolu Turkish Proficiency Certificate must continue to the C1 level offered on the instructional platform and successfully complete this level as well. Students who successfully complete the C1 level may use the Anadolu Turkish Proficiency Certificate they have obtained in their academic education and professional work.