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English Preparatory School

Istanbul Arel University - International Office

Speaking Club: 

 

The Speaking Club is organised at both the Kemal Gözükara and Sefaköy campuses. With the Speaking Club, it is aimed to improve the English speaking skills of Istanbul Arel University students. The activities conducted as part of the Speaking Club are carried out under the supervision of a foreign national lecturer and open to all students.

 

Reading Club:

 

A wide range of English books covering all levels have been included to the library collection of the School of Foreign Languages. With the Reading Club, it is aimed to encourage and develop the reading habits of students and improve their language proficiency. Students can also utilise the collection as part of their project assignments. Click here to access the list of books that are available.

 

Exemption Exam:

 

At the beginning of each academic year, students have the opportunity to take the Exemption Exam and, depending on their score, can be considered exempt from the English Preparatory Programme. The minimum score for the Exemption Exam is 70. Students who obtain a score lower than the required minimum score (70) are obliged to take an exam to determine their level of English proficiency and are placed into classes according to the results they obtain in this exam. TOEFL and IELTS are also accepted to obtain exemption from the English Preparatory Programme. For more information on the Exemption Exam, please refer to the Preparatory Programme Guideline.

 

Placement Exam:

 

At the beginning of each academic year, all English Preparatory Programme students are required to take an exam to determine their level of English proficiency and are placed into classes according to the results they obtain in this exam. With this exam, it is aimed to place students with similar language proficiency in the same classes. As a result of the Placement Exam, students start at A1 or A2 levels.

 

Student Orientation:

 

The first week of each academic year is considered as orientation week. During orientation week, students have the opportunity to get to know the University, learn about the general rules, meet their lecturers and discover the opportunities the University has to offer.

 

Attendance:

 

Students are required to attend 80% of their English Preparatory Programme classes. Students with absenteeism receive warnings from the Coordination Office at regular intervals and are informed about their attendance status periodically to prevent unwanted situations.

 

Teaching Materials and Online Teaching:

 

The materials utilised during the courses conform with the standards laid by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Learning is supported by smart boards installed in every classroom through which the progress of students is monitored and thus a more interactive learning environment is achieved.

 

Language Level System:

 

Language Level System is applied in the English Preparatory Programme. With this system, it is aimed for student to complete 3 language levels by the end of the Programme. Students start the Programme at A1 or A2 levels and finish at B1 or B2 levels at the end of the year. Students can drop or advance to another level depending on the results they obtain from the exams carried out every two weeks and at the end of the each level and the evaluation of the lecturers.

 

Presentation:

 

As part of the speaking classes, students are required to give a presentation at the end of the first and the second terms. These presentations are taken into consideration when determining the final grade.

 

Writing Portfolio:

 

Students are required to collect the assignments they conducted throughout the year in a portfolio which is taken into consideration when determining the final grade.

 

Towards Higher Education:

 

In order to prepare student for the education they will receive after the English Preparatory Programme, various activities are organised to unite students with their future lecturers during the second term. Students are also equipped with different sources and materials that will help them become familiar with the terms used within their areas of study. For the students that will go on to study translation and interpreting, a special programme is applied following the first term.

 

Course Schedule:

 

One course week consists of a total of 28 hours that comprise main course class (which includes reading) with a total of 18 hours, writing class with a total of 6 hours and speaking class with a total of 4 hours.

 

Education System:

 

The final grade consists of 40% of the exams conducted every two weeks, 40% of the Proficiency Exam and 20% of the evaluation of the lecturers.

 

The evaluation of the lecturers consists of the writing portfolio graded a maximum score of 6, speaking graded a maximum score of 6 and participation in lessons, online activities and attendance graded a maximum score of 8.

 

A minimum score of 60 or 70 (depending on the language level) is required to successfully complete the Programme. The minimum score is determined in accordance with the level studied. For instance, the minimum score for the students who will go on to study translation and interpreting is 70.

 

Proficiency Exam: 

 

The Proficiency Exam is carried out at the B2 level. 40% of the exam result is incorporated into the final grade.

 

Summer School:

 

Students who fail the English Preparatory Programme have the opportunity to complete the Programme by attending summer school if it is offered. In general, the summer school begins in the last week of June and ends in the second week of August. Further details regarding the summer school are announced in June.

 

Student Guidance:

 

Students can request extra support from their lecturers. The requests of the students are evaluated by the Coordination Office and, if the requests are deemed acceptable, students are provided with a schedule.

 

Administration:

 

The programme groups at both the Kemal Gözükara and Sefaköy campuses are administered by the Preparatory Programme Coordination Office. There is also a supervisor available assigned specifically to the Sefaköy Campus.

 

Training of Trainers:

 

In order to support their development, our lecturers take part in various educational programmes. The Teaching Materials and Online Teaching Programme carried out at the beginning of each academic year is one of these programmes. Furthermore, lecturers are encouraged to take part in the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Programme and write an Erasmus+ project.

 

Classroom Observation:

 

Through an official designated by the Coordination Office, the classroom environment is observed and evaluated during each academic year. With these observations, educational activities are monitored and personal development is ensured.

 

Survey:

 

At the end of each academic year, students are asked to complete a survey where they have the opportunity to assess their lecturers, the materials, the Coordination Office, the system and other areas. Necessary developments are made in line with the surveys.

 

Testing Office and Assessment and Evaluation:

 

The Coordination Office prepares, conducts and assess the exams and tests conducted.

 

Prospective Students