German, French, and Spanish are taught as World Languages at Terakki Middle School.
Why learn German, French, or Spanish?
German is spoken in many European countries (Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Russia, and Belgium), amounting to approximately 120 million people with German language aptitude. It is one of the official languages of the European Union, and is especially important in the fields of science, textiles, medicine, and engineering. Germany places a significant role in the import and export businesses of Turkey. Many German companies operate in Istanbul and in neighboring cities.
French is spoken by more than 200 million people on 5 continents, and around 128 million people speak French as their mother tongue or as a second language. French is an official language of many global organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, the International Olympic Committee and the Red Cross. It is also the language of culture, opening your door to the culinary world, fashion, architecture, arts, theatre, and dance.
Spanish is spoken as an official language in more than 21 countries all over the world and has over 500 million native speakers. Learning Spanish is not just about learning a language; it is about meeting and exploring different cultures in Spain and Latin America. From art to sports, to textiles and to the pharmaceutical industry, Spanish is the 3rd most widely used language in the world.
Our Objectives
Our key objectives in teaching a World Language are to:
- teach students about other cultures in order to foster understanding and tolerance towards the world and different perspectives,
- facilitate their cultural development and raise their awareness regarding other cultures,
- help students to acquire critical and creative thinking skills,
- enable students to follow the terminology necessary for literature and fine arts,
- enable students to develop the skill of expressing themselves in foreign languages in environments where those languages are spoken,
- develop self-confidence, social and communication skills in students so that they can study abroad.
Our Goals
The goal is to help students acquire either German, French or Spanish skills at the A2 level according to the Common European Language Framework (CEFR) standards by the time they graduate. In terms of using the language, this includes being able to:
(Listening Comprehension) Understand the phrases related to the topics they are interested in and frequently used words. (e.g. basic personal and family info, shopping, local environment, profession). Students at A2 level can understand short, clear, and simple messages and the basic idea in announcements.
(Reading Comprehension) Read short and simple messages. They can understand general knowledge in simple daily texts such as advertisements, user guides, menus, and timelines, and understand short, personal letters.
(Speaking) A2 level students can communicate in simple and familiar contexts that require direct information exchange about familiar topics and activities. They can get involved in short conversations although they may not get the whole idea or be able to continue the conversation.
(Verbal Expression) Students can use a series of phrases and sentences in order to describe their families and other people, living conditions, educational background and jobs.
(Written Expression) Students can write short, simple notes and messages. They can write short personal letters such as thank-you-notes.
Our Teaching Practices
Culturally and socially oriented language learning:
Students’ social skills that will help them to communicate effectively are developed through activities and competitions such as projects, talking about pictures, telling stories, jokes, or myths, and introducing people and places. Texts and topics are chosen carefully so that students can acquire an intellectual and cultural background as they learn a new language. Technology plays an important role in the classroom facilitating learning, assessment and collaboration.
Independent language learning activities:
Activities that teach students how to learn (interpreting the meaning of new structures in the text, identifying and building knowledge gaps, preparing and presenting projects, etc.) are highlighted and research activities are carried out to make language learning more efficient.
Enhancing communication skills:
Verbal expression is highlighted in classes, and students are expected to use the target language as they sort out problems, express ideas, tell stories and work together with their peers.
International Certification Exams
Every year in semester 2 students in Grades 7 and 8 volunteer to sit A1 and A2 level exams in German, French, and Spanish (German: Fit 1 and Fit 2; French Delf 1 and Delf 2; Spanish Dele 1 and Dele 2) and become successful. The Terakki World Languages curriculum includes activities related to these tests.
Individualized support:
A Special Support Program is offered outside of class time for those students who need additional support with the curriculum, or whose foreign language skills are at an advanced level.
Extra-curricular Activities
Celebrations and Events
Throughout the school year, students have many opportunities to connect with the culture of their World Language and to practice their language skills through a range of activities such as broadcasting radio shows and actively participating in events surrounding the European Day of World Languages.
Cultural Trips
Beyond school, the World Languages Department offers numerous opportunities to interact with other speakers of German, French and Spanish on overseas trips.