Academic Calendar

High quality education and training of Atılım University 

Preparatory School is ensured by the following:

• A team of highly qualified teaching staff.

• Pre-Service and In-Service training sessions delivered by the Teaching Training Unit as well as seminars designed to familiarise instructors with new methods and techniques. Instructors are given full support in developing their teaching skills through attendance at various courses and seminars held at other teaching institutions.

• Selection of modern course books appropriate to our students’ needs.

• The continuous updating and improvement of the teaching programmes. The Utilisation of extra materials produced and developed by the Material Development Unit in lessons as supplementary materials.

• Limiting the number of students to between 15-20 in classes.

• Evaluation of students by means of both announced and unannounced tests.

• Programming supplementary courses tailored to the specific needs of the students during the education period.

• Using modern instruments and materials in language teaching, such as OHPs, video players, video cameras etc.

• Using Self-Access Centre equipped with computers, video players, TV sets, a movie collection, English Learning CD sets, written materials etc.

• Providing a Psychological Counseling Centre where specialized staff can help to solve both personal and school related  problems that the students may experience. In addition, the centre organizes seminars in order to improve learning techniques and motivation for both students and instructors.

• A voluntary Summer School Programme for those students who either fail to complete the Programme in the academic year or do not pass the Proficiency examination.

Atılım University has a close working relationship with the University of the Incarnate Word in the United States of America. In this programme students are able to study in the United States either on a summer school or Academic Year basis and in this way Atılım students cannot only improve their academic level and standard of English, but also broaden their cultural horizon.

Proficiency and Placement Examinations top

At the beginning of each academic year, students who have gained entrance to Atılım University enter two English language examinations : the Proficiency Examination and the Placement Examination.

Students who prove successful on the Proficiency Examination (a minimum grade of 60 for all departments except English Language and Literature and Translation and Interpretation Departments which require a minimum grade of 70) and those who present the evidence of  successful on internatonally accepted Exams (TOEFL 173, IELTS 6.0, FCE C for undegraduate programs and TOEFL 213, IELTS 6.5, FCE B for students of   English Language and Literature and Translation and Interpretation Departments) begin their faculty studies.

Those who do not demonstrate the aforementioned language proficiency enter the Placement Examination-the results of which determine whether they will begin studies at the Beginning, Intermediate, or Upper Intermediate Level. A one week grace period is maintained for students to change levels at instructor and administration discretion. This insures that all students study at the level most appropriate for them thus allowing progress to occur more readily.

Weekly class loads consist of 27 hours with students who are placed in Atılım University. However, late registering students have 30 hours per week. In this manner students who start their studies later are integrated into the system in a short time.

Course System top

In order to provide more success and control of student progress and consequently higher success, in the 1999-2000 academic year, the Preparatory School converted to a course system. A student who does not show sufficient success at any particular level instead of continuing on, is required to repeat the same level. Upon appropriate success at that level, the student progresses to the following one. This system insures that each student is given the chance to develop strong skills and to progressively build on a sound foundation.

Level Evaluation top

The academic year consists of three terms continuing for 10-12 weeks. Evaluation of achievement tests, project work, quizzes, writing and speaking determine the level success grade for each student.

In turn a minimum score of 60/100 is required to pass the Level.

Quality in Education top

In addition to its greatly valued instructors, the Preparatory School has a young, strong and dynamic teaching team who are made stronger through the implementation of seminars which equip them with the latest developments in language teaching and learning.

20 student classes are assisted in learning by three instructors, -in this way, monotony that often accompanies language programs is broken and replaced with variety. Students are encouraged to participate and to be active through the use of texts, extensions of unit topics, and extra material such as exercises, activities, and visual aids, which are specially prepared according to each groups level and interests.

The importance given to the writing skill is evidenced by the fact that writing classes are conducted for three hours per week by writing instructors. Every week parallel with classroom topics, students are required to write compositions, articles, letters, etc. with all submitted work evaluated according to pre determined criteria, and then remitted to students with extensive explanation. The writing section on all examinations is given high point value to emphasize the importance of the skill. Additionally groups of three or four students prepare projects on assorted topics, which are later presented-an aide in the development of their presentation skills.

To develop student reading skills in addition to class texts, reading passages that have been chosen and prepared by experienced instructors are assigned for class work or homework. To the same purpose in addition to classroom work, students are required to complete one level appropriate book-an evaluation of which is done in pop quiz form.

Video classes which are held a minimum of one hour per week, are organized again in a manner that is parallel to classroom topics-and provide visual richness to the program.

An undeniably important part of our program is the pop quiz which is given one or two times a week with/out prior notification. This procedure encourages our students to stay abreast of the program, encourages them to study regularly and ensures classroom attendance. Pop quizzes, which make up 10 % of the Level Success Grade, if missed, are graded as “0”.