Primary School   
 
 Our Philosophy Of Foreign Language Instrucion

At Ekin, we consider language as a means for communication and believe that foreign languages can only be thought by providing students with safe, fun and natural environments where they can develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Every individual who learns his/her mother tongue, has the potential to acquire a second language as long as the necessary conditions are provided.

We have a highly qualified and experienced foreign languages department where teachers keep up with the latest developments in the field of English Language Teaching by joining workshops, seminars and conferences. We value continuous professional development immensely.

Our English lessons are conducted by bilingual and foreign teachers. We use modern, communicative methodologies and use age appropriate materials and props. We not only teach the language but also help students discover different cultures so they become better equipped communicators.

Our language teaching approach values 21st century skills such as creativity, innovation, collaboration and critical thinking.

  Foreign Language Learning in Nursery School

Our basic aim at this age group is to encourage students to love the language and create a positive attitude in them towards it. Since this age group requires games and fun, their language teaching starts with storytelling, animation, chants, songs, group games, handcrafts, collage and poster activities. With the same understanding, the teaching of our second foreign language, German, will be implemented in the curriculum in the 2014-2015 academic year.

To address the various learning styles of our students and to support their cognitive, physical and social development, different methods and techniques are employed. Some of these examples could be art activities in order to shape student's muscles, music and movement for their motor skills, and pre-writing activities for their cognitive development.

One of our most important methods is learning through stories. Throughout the year, students improve their vocabulary knowledge by reading books with their teachers. In the mean time, they also improve their cognitive skills of estimation, reasoning, sequencing events and teamwork. Students also learn how to establish cause and effect relations, make question and answer structures as well as composing short dialogues.

At our school, foreign language teaching is planned in accordance with the program of “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” (CEFR).

  Methods, Techniques and Equipments

Teachers here at Ekin are all well-trained on new technology and methods of teaching. They follow the latest trends in teaching and carry these into the classroom. They participate in national and international collaborative activities with experts to widen their horizons. With the slogan of ‘’EACH CHILD IS A DIFFERENT WOLRD’’, our teachers create an interactive and student-oriented learning environment for kids and take each student’s learning style into consideration. Pedagogical games and group reading activities and computer assissted activities are also used.

  Second Foreign Language

At Ekin, the second foreign language is German. Apart from students’ mother language, German holds the same importance and significance as the English Language. Beginning from 2014-2015 academic year, our students will be taught German starting from the nursery school until the end of 8th grade.

  •  OUR ENGLISH PROGRAMME FOR 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GRADES

    Our 1st grade programme includes theme-based topics such as my body, my family, my class, my toys and animals which are related with their daily lives. We use story-telling techniques, role-play, songs, group activities and crafts to create a playful and natural learning atmosphere. Our students take 10 English lessons per week.

    Our 2nd and 3rd grade programmes are organised in the same way. We use cross-curricular tecniques, videos, Cd Roms and CLIL ( Content and Language Integrated Learning). Learning through stories has an important role in the process of learning English at all levels. Our students increase their vocablary and enjoy reading while they improve their cognitive skills such as predicting, reasoning and sequencing. Through group work activities, they learn cooperation. Reading stories help them express their feelings and ideas.

    Our students have the chance to take Cambridge Exams starting from 3rd grade. Four language skills are evaluated through this exam and the students get a certificate. Our students can take these exams in the following years as well.

     OUR ENGLISH PROGRAMME FOR 4TH GRADE

    Our students take 11 English lessons per week. Studies are organized to develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Also "oral assesment" programme is applied to our students to evaluate their speaking skills. Our native teachers run the reading programme. This programme involves regular and long sentences, paragraphs and enlarged vocabulary scale. Pronunciation and phonetics studies are held.

    Our students have the chance to take Cambridge Exams . Four language skills are evaluated through this exam and the students get a certificate. Our students can take these exams in the following years as well.

     OUR FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMME


    In our school, language education is organized according to " The Common European Framework of Refrence for Languages".

    CEFR programme has three levels: LEVELS CONTENT A(Basic User) A1-A2

    B(Indepentdent User) B1-B2

    C(Proficient User) C1-C2

    We aim our graduate students to reach B1-B2 levels.

     B1

  • Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
  • Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
  • Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
  • Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

     B2

  • Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation.
  • Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
  • Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

    Additional Programmes Summer: courses start at summer holiday for our new students. Also these students take additional lessons throughout the year. Learning a language is a process which takes a long time. Our students are evaluated based on their development and get feedback.
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