LEARN TURKISH @ İstanbul Bilgi University TÜRMER
İstanbul Bilgi University’s Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center,
BILGI TÜRMER, officially started in July 2013 and had its first meeting with students in
October 2013. The learning methods are based on the distinct structural and semantic
properties of Turkish, as this is considered appropriate for learners of Turkish. The classes use
both books put together according to European Language Portfolio’s language levels, and
audio-visual materials prepared in line with the needs of the class and students.
Participants are placed in courses based on their level of Turkish. Those without prior
knowledge of Turkish start with the A1 elementary level. Those with prior Turkish language
experience may start at levels A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, depending on the results of a placement
test. Those already holding a course certificate may automatically progress to the subsequent
level without the need for a placement test.
In teaching the four basic skills of language – reading, listening, writing and speaking, the
classes use a method known as the “drama method”. This method facilitates retention of
information and is often considered to be more entertaining and straightforward. The drama
method helps to accelerate the learning process by making use of body language and
imagination when practicing phonological elements such as stress, intonation and rhythm.
There are various additional learning aids used to support the courses. In the classroom,
projectors and audio systems are used. In addition, native Turkish speakers are often invited
to classes to ensure real-life simulations in a fun and relaxed environment.
The objective for attendees of all levels is to improve their use and understanding of Turkish
in situations where they require it in daily life (social occasions and daily interactions). An
additional target is to enable reading texts and comprehension skills; writing ideas, thoughts
and feelings; and proceeding to learn the language after having completed the Turkish
grammar course.
The BILGI TÜRMER staff includes dynamic and versatile teachers who are continually
looking to develop by researching and practicing modern methods. The staff are enthusiastic
and passionate about teaching, and enjoy the experience of being in a language-teaching
environment. At the center, the focus is not just on the technical side language, but also on
fields where language intersects with real life and culture. Hence, classroom activities are
supplemented with trips in Istanbul, where speaking activities about the places visited are
carried out over a cup of traditional tea or Turkish coffee. During trips, participants have the
opportunity to apply the linguistic material they have pre-studied to real-life cases.
Furthermore, in situations where they run into difficulties, they can ask for the teacher’s help.
The trip experiences are discussed extensively in class afterwards, paving the way for the
participants to experience better communication in daily life.
BILGI TÜRMER is located at Santralistanbul, which has a reputation for being one of
Istanbul’s finest university campuses. There are free shuttle services to the campus from the
city’s major hubs, including Beşiktaş, Halıcıoğl, Tophane, Osmanbey and Taksim. For
detailed information please visit our website at tomer.bilgi.ed.tr
İstanbul Bilgi University Turkish Language Teaching and Research Center
Web Sitesi’nden
İstanbul Bilgi University Turkish Language Teaching and Research Center teaches Turkish by
immersing the students in the language. The program includes analytical methods on sound
and structure as well as interactive applications for speech practice. Participants will benefit
from experiencing the city and college life on our centrally located campuses.
The program is open to all who wish to learn Turkish as a foreign language and is carried out
in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
BİLGİ TÜRMER – İstanbul Bilgi University Turkish Education Practice and Research
Center officially started its activities in July 2013 and met with its students for the first time in
October 2013.
Our university has campuses in the center of Istanbul and currently hosts large foreign student
groups who come here through various exchange programs or are enrolled in undergraduate
or associate’s degree programs.
A unique dynamism has been brought to our university through those who came from outside
of the university to learn the language and our university has taken the initial steps towards
becoming a Turkish learning center with its teaching, application and research activities
carried out by TÜRMER.
Teaching Methods
BİLGİ TÜRMER uses the following methods by taking into consideration the different learning
styles of students who come from many different cultures and countries:
Analytic Approach (grammar, text analysis)
Creative Drama
Role play
Presentation
In teaching the four basic skills of language – reading, listening, writing and speaking, the
classes use a method known as the “drama method”. This method facilitates retention of
information and is often considered to be more entertaining and straightforward. The drama
method helps to accelerate the learning process by making use of body language and
imagination when practicing phonological elements such as stress, intonation and rhythm.
There are various additional learning aids used to support the courses. In the classroom,
projectors and audio systems are used. In addition, native Turkish speakers are often invited
to classes to enable real-life simulations in a fun and relaxed environment.
The objective for attendees of all levels is to improve their use and understanding of Turkish
in situations where they require it in daily life (social occasions and daily interactions). An
additional target is to enable reading texts and improving comprehension skills; writing ideas,
thoughts, and feelings; and proceeding to learn the language after having completed the
Turkish grammar course.
The BİLGİ TÜRMER staff includes dynamic and versatile teachers who are continually
looking to develop by researching and practicing modern methods. The staff are enthusiastic
and passionate about teaching and enjoy the experience of being in a language-teaching
environment. At the center, the focus is not just on the technical side of language, but also on
fields where language intersects with real life and culture. Hence, classroom activities are
supplemented by trips in Istanbul, where speaking activities about the places visited are
carried out over a cup of traditional tea or Turkish coffee. During trips, participants have the
opportunity to apply the linguistic material they have pre-studied to real-life cases.
Furthermore, in situations where they run into difficulties, they can ask for the teacher’s help.
The trip experiences are discussed extensively in class afterwards, paving the way for the
participants to experience better communication in daily life.
Course Levels
Course levels are defined according to the Common European Framework.
Basic Users
A1
It is aimed that users can meet their daily needs. They can talk about or describe themselves
and other people. They can give details about themselves. They can understand common daily
expressions and phrases on a basic level. They can understand when spoken to slowly and
clearly and they can reply in a simple way.
A2
They can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to personal life,
family, shopping, work, and the environment. They can communicate and express their ideas
about familiar subjects.
Independent Users
B1
They can describe their personal experiences and report events. They can talk about their
dreams, hopes, and ambitions. They can give short reasons and explanations in their
explanations. They can express themselves through simple and well-organized texts about
familiar subjects or interests. They can solve everyday life problems they encounter.
B2
They can express themselves in a detailed and understandable way on different subjects such
as social problems, their preferences and problems or experiences and they express their own
perspective on an issue by expressing the advantages or disadvantages of the issue. They can
understand the main idea of complex texts, grounded abstract and concrete subjects and they
can carry out technical discussions in their field of study. They can communicate confidently
with a native speaker.
Proficient Users
C1
They can understand various difficult and long texts. They can grasp ambiguous meanings
and they can recognize indirect and implied messages. Their vocabulary is enlarged by most
of Turkish idiomatic and daily life expressions. They can express themselves in a fluent and
natural way. They can use the language in their social, professional and educational lives
efficiently and appropriately.
C2
They can use the language for academic and professional purposes and in their daily lives in a
flexible and effective way. They have mastered the terminology in their area of interest. They
can summarize the information they get from various verbal or written resources such as
articles, newspapers or magazines and they can produce similar texts.
For International Students
Information about Visa and Residence Permit for International Students
An “acceptance letter”is sent to students who complete the online application and pay the
course fee to the İstanbul Bilgi University bank account.
Students who need a visa to enter Turkey can apply at the nearest Turkish embassy to get a
“student visa” with the acceptance letter. Students will register at BİLGİ TÜRMER after
coming to Turkey.
After final registration at İstanbul Bilgi University, students will go to Police Department with
a student certificate of BİLGİ Türmer, on the date of appointment which is arranged
on http://yabancilar.iem.gov.tr/ to get a residence permit for education purposes.
This permit is only for educational purposes. It does not permit students to work in Turkey.
Students with an expired residence permit have to extend the residence permit during the last
15 days of date of their permit.
Accommodation
Recommended places for accommodation are shown to give but a general idea about
accommodation. Alternative options exist.
Click to see dormitories and residences of İstanbul Bilgi University.