In line with the Terakki vision and mission statements, the Foreign Languages Department’s purpose is to equip its students with:
- the communicative language skills and competence to reach their personal and professional goals in a globalized world,
- the academic skills to succeed in a modern higher education system,
- the cognitive skills necessary to become curious and critical thinkers as well as independent Turkish and World citizens.
Through our education program, we strive to impart the value of language, culture, communication, and life-long learning.
As an accredited IB Primary Years Program school, students in our Kindergarten learn English through inquiry in alignment with the themes they explore in their homeroom lessons.
Throughout their language-learning journey at Terakki, students follow our K-12 curriculum, which is based on the CEFR (The Common European Framework of References). The CEFR was established by the University of Cambridge and is recognized as the quality benchmark for language learning. Terakki FLD is also an accredited member of Eaquals (Evaluation and Accreditation of Quality Language Services), the leading language learning association.
Our Objectives
The main objective of the English Program in the Primary School is for students to become confident users of English, who are knowledgeable about other cultures, and who have respect and understanding for the world they live in and the beings with whom they share the planet. By developing their language and literacy, we give our students access to information, and the ability to interpret it, as well as the ability to communicate in a broader context and a variety of situations. This will enable our students to be able to make choices about their role and place in our changing world.
The Teaching and Learning Environment
Learning engagements expose our students to the use of English in real life situations.
Our students become accustomed to the art of independent learning, as they develop social and self-management skills in individual and group learning situations.
Our students develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as they interact with each other to discuss, analyze and use information to construct meaning and create new products. Furthermore, integrated technology and library lessons enable students to find, create and present information, and communicate with others outside of school.
The themes we touch on during the course of the academic year are significant, relevant and engaging to our student’s lives, building on prior knowledge and experiences.
The learning environment supports a variety of interests and learning styles. In all grade levels, co-teaching allows teachers to differentiate strategies, content and assessment to suit all learners’ needs. In addition, there is a weekly support program (ETP). This means that students are guided and supported in line with their needs and interests.
Outside of the classroom, students have many opportunities to use their English, such as; English Fun Day, Drama Club, Opposites Day, World Water Day, Spelling Bee and Terakkivision.
Meeting Our Objectives
Students learn how to communicate confidently in English with different people in a variety of situations by:
- being exposed to use of English in a range of authentic contexts,
- having opportunities to use English in a range of authentic (albeit simulated) contexts,
- developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills,
- learning how to use technology as a tool to find, create and present information,
- critically analyzing and using information to create new products,
- acquiring the language necessary to communicate about a range of topics,
- using English to meet personal and group needs in a variety of situations.
Students become language learners by:
- developing social, self-management, thinking and research skills,
- receiving the individual support necessary to develop cognitively, socially and emotionally,
- engaging in themes and learning experiences that are significant and relevant to their lives and building on prior experiences.
- reflecting and self-assessing as routine practice.
Grade 2
The focus in Grade 2 is to build on receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) skills, to be able to interact with, and interpret information, and communicate personal meaning using a range of functions. An integrated phonics program supports students to understand and communicate information. At the end of the school year, students present their ‘My English Corner’ to their peers, teachers and parents during the ‘My Learning Journey’ exhibition.