COMPULSORY AND OPTIONAL ENGLISH PREPARATORY PROGRAM (LANGUAGE SCHOOL)
The English Preparatory Program, which has an expert team in the field, serves to provide our students with the ability to use a foreign language effectively by offering departmental courses in English. Accordingly, Istanbul Medipol University English Preparatory Program, which has been prepared to meet the needs of our students, consists of four levels. Beginner level (A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), Advanced Beginner level (A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), Intermediate level (B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and Upper Intermediate level (B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Completion of all levels is scheduled for 32 weeks. The weekly lesson time is planned as 20-28 hours according to the levels and each lesson consists of 45 minutes. At the end of 32 weeks, our students are expected to reach B2 (Advanced Level) where they can use English correctly and fluently. Our intensive English program aims to provide our students with the necessary basic skills (grammar, reading, listening, writing and speaking) and to enable them to use English fluently in a globalized world and in their careers. During this intensive program, in addition to using basic language skills, students will learn to use the four basic elements of a language; grammar, speaking, writing and listening skills effectively. The ability to use English effectively will enable students to comprehend and interpret academic readings and write scientific and academic articles in different fields. Upon successful completion of this intensive program, students will have the English language skills to follow the courses in their field of study.
The Preparatory Program is designed to be effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of the students as required by the teaching objectives. Throughout the academic year, various measurement tools such as exams, projects and presentations are used to see the progress of the students and to identify their deficiencies. In this way, both students and instructors will have the opportunity to eliminate or minimize any English-related problems they may encounter.
The Preparatory Program is organized in accordance with a global and contemporary language education. The weekly class schedule consists of 20-28 hours (depending on the level). Main Course consists of Grammar, Academic Reading, Listening, Speaking and Academic Writing.
The methods chosen are those accepted in contemporary language education systems and are appropriate to the needs, levels and development of the students. In our Preparatory Program, our main goal is not only to provide our students with a good language education, but also to inform them about the cultural structure of the countries where the target language is used, which is an inevitable process of language education. As mentioned above, our primary goal is for students to understand the language, to be able to express what they understand, to be able to write it down and to be able to use it in their academic studies.
Throughout the courses, our students will be given the opportunity to practice along with the theory, tests, study questions, information brochures, visual and digital resources. In addition, the language learning methods we have chosen will provide our students with the opportunity to work alone, guide and guide them on the subject. Another point that we find it appropriate to emphasize is vocabulary teaching; our students will learn an average of 1000-1200 new words during each education period. They will be able to use these words effectively in daily life, both when speaking and when writing essays or articles.
Our lecturers working in our university preparatory school are diligent, experienced educators who have worked in preparatory schools for many years and have many certificates on different techniques and methodologies in the field of English language education in Turkey and abroad. Our lecturers will allocate their time to work with students one-on-one or in groups during the week outside of class time and will inform the students of this on a schedule. The number of students in the groups will be kept to a minimum for effective language instruction and the working environment will be tailored to the needs of the students.
HOW DOES THE COMPULSORY AND ELECTIVE PREPARATORY PROGRAM (LANGUAGE SCHOOL) SYSTEM WORK?
The English Preparatory Program consists of four eight or nine-week tranches. Students start with General English in the first tranche and continue with the four main skills (Reading, Speaking, Writing and Grammar) in the following tranches. Each tranche has a standardized grading system, the details of which are specified in the relevant sections. After enrollment at Istanbul Medipol University, students whose language of instruction in the department is English are subjected to an exemption exam. Students who are not exempted by the Exemption Exam take the Placement Exam at the beginning of the Academic Year and are placed in their classes according to their appropriate level and begin their Preparatory Education.
EXEMPTION: Students who get a passing grade of 75 in the Medipol University Preparatory Program Exemption Exam or who pass any equivalent exam approved by YÖK (YDS-E-YDS: 70, CAE: B, CPE: C, TOEFL IBT: 84 - Toefl-IBT Home Edition is not accepted), PEARSON PTE Academic: 71, Oxford Test of English: B2, IELTS Academic: 6.5 - IELTS Online Not Accepted) taken in the last three years are exempted from the Preparatory Program. (Click HERE for more details)
Click HERE to access a sample Exemption Test.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAM
The Proficiency exam consists of five sections; Listening, Reading, Vocabulary, Use of English and Writing. The passing mark for the section is 75. Students who score between 60 and 74 in this exam are then tested on their speaking skills in a Speaking test.
SPEAKING TEST
Students who score 75 in the Speaking Test are also exempted from the preparatory program and pass to their departments. Those who fail in any of these stages will be placed at an appropriate level according to the results of the Placement Test to be held later and start the English Preparatory Program.
HALF-TERM PROFICIENCY EXAM
At the end of the first semester (Tranche 2), an Proficiency Exam is administered as stipulated by YÖK. The content and implementation of this exam will not differ in terms of level and scope from the exemption exam held at the beginning of the year.
TRACK SYSTEM
The English Preparatory Program consists of four tracks of eight or nine weeks each. In each track, students study all the core skills and are assessed accordingly. In each tranche, students receive average grades in teacher assessment (TA), projects, portfolios, the Mid-Term Test (MTE) and the Term Achievement Test (TAT). In addition, the grades of ESP (English for Specific Purposes) courses are added to the overall average during the two trimesters in the Spring semester. Since Istanbul Medipol University Preparatory Program does not apply a modular system, there is no retention or repetition in tracks. According to the student's success in the previous semester, new classes are formed according to their levels after each semester.
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION SYSTEM
Once students are placed in an appropriate level, a program based on a departmental needs analysis will be followed. The following assessment and evaluation system will be used throughout the academic calendar:
Mid-Trimester Examination (MTE): There will be a Mid-Trimester Examination in each track measuring the progress of the students.
Teacher Assessment (TA): Each student will be assigned a teacher assessment grade by each lecturer based on their attendance, class participation and homework assignments. The relevant criteria may vary.
Trimester Achievement Test (TAT): At the end of each trimester, there will be a Trimester Achievement Test to measure students' progress.
P.L.A.T. (Language Measurement Proficiency Test): At the end of the year, a test is administered that tests students' Listening (Doing & Note-taking while Listening), Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary, Writing and Use of English.
P.L.A.T. Make-up Exam: Students who fail the P.L.A.T. exam can take the P.L.A.T. Make-up Exam.
ESP ( ESP (English for Specific Purposes): ESP (English for Specific Purposes) courses are given in order to familiarize our students with the terminology they will use in their departments. These courses take place in the 2nd semester.
Project: These are applications that provide our students with the opportunity to work collectively and to work and produce on a subject.
Portfolio: It is the evaluation of the work done by our students in order to improve their writing skills.
Evaluation Criteria
Percentage
Mid-Slice Examination (MTE)
%20
Slice Achievement Test (SAT)
%30
Project
%20
Portfolio
%20
Teacher Assessment (TA)
%10
TOTAL
%100
Table 1: 1st and 2nd Tranche Evaluation Criteria and Percentages
Evaluation Criteria
ANNUAL GRADING
The final grade is 70 and this grade is calculated by taking 60% of the average of the four sections and 40% of the P.L.A.T. exam result. If a student's four-slice average grade is 80 and above, the student is considered successful and is exempt from the P.L.A.T. exam.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ABSENTEEISM
Students' attendance is compulsory and is the responsibility of the student as it affects their TA grades and their success in all tranches. There is a strict policy of keeping attendance records and all lecturers are responsible for doing so as it affects TA grades. However, students will lose their right to take the P.L.A.T. and P.L.A.T. make-up exams at the end of the year if their absences exceed 15% of the total number of courses taught.
OFFICE HOURS
In each track, lecturers have predetermined office hours. These office hours are organized for at least one hour per week to support English language skills outside the classroom.
COUNSELING SYSTEM
Each class is assigned a class advisor at the beginning of each semester. This lecturer is responsible for informing and guiding students about announcements, course schedules, exam contents, project and portfolio processes and administrative issues.