Student Handbook

MEDIPOL UNIVERSITY

TURKISH PREPARATORY PROGRAM COORDINATORSHIP

STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
2026–2027

This handbook has been prepared for international students commencing the Turkish Preparatory Program. Welcome to the Turkish Preparatory Program at Medipol University. This handbook provides essential information that students may need throughout their educational process.

1. TURKISH PREPARATORY PROGRAM

The Turkish Preparatory Program is designed to develop students’ Turkish language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, which they will need in their academic studies.
The program is conducted in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Turkish preparatory education consists of the following proficiency levels according to students’ language levels: A1, A2, B1, and B2.

2. EDUCATIONAL MODEL

Education is conducted entirely face-to-face.
In addition to grammar, the courses cover the following areas:

• Communication skills
• Academic Turkish
• Everyday spoken Turkish
• Vocabulary development
• Listening and pronunciation practice

These components are integrated into the instructional process.

3. CLASS HOURS

Turkish Preparatory Program classes are held five days a week.
Students receive the following number of hours of Turkish language instruction at each level:

• A1: 150 hours
• A2: 150 hours
• B1: 175 hours
• B2: 175 hours
• C1: 200 hours

4. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Regular attendance is one of the most important requirements for success in learning Turkish. Attendance is compulsory.
Absence should only be used in compulsory circumstances such as:

• Illness
• Official procedures
• Emergencies

In case of illness, students are responsible for submitting their medical reports to the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship.
Students who are unable to attend a class are expected to inform their instructor in advance.
Students are responsible for following up on any lesson notes and assignments they have missed.

5. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION SYSTEM

Students’ four fundamental language skills are assessed in all examinations.

Students’ language proficiency is assessed based on the four fundamental language skills. In final examinations, listening, reading, writing, and speaking are each assessed out of 25 points, with the total examination score calculated out of 100.
To be considered successful in the final examination, students must obtain at least 13 points in each of the four fundamental language skills and achieve an overall score of at least 70 points. If any of these requirements is not met, the student is not considered successful and must repeat the relevant level.
To enhance the reliability of the assessment and evaluation process, writing and speaking examinations are independently assessed by two different instructors/lecturers. The student’s score for the relevant skill is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of the scores awarded by the two assessors. If a difference of 5 (five) points or more is identified between the assessors’ scores, a third instructor/lecturer is appointed by the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship. In such cases, the final score is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all three scores. This process strengthens inter-rater consistency, minimizes subjective differences in assessment, and ensures that students’ performances are evaluated in a fair, transparent, and reliable manner.
For detailed information regarding examinations, please refer to the Assessment and Evaluation section of the website.

https://www.medipol.edu.tr/en/academic/turkish-preparatory-coordination-office/assessment-weighting-level 

6. TYPES OF EXAMINATIONS 

The following examinations are administered throughout the preparatory program:

Short Quizzes

Short quizzes are administered to regularly monitor students’ learning throughout the course, identify areas requiring improvement, and provide timely feedback during the learning process. These examinations assess students’ fundamental grammatical structures, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and written expression skills appropriate to their respective levels.

Midterm Examination

The midterm examination comprehensively evaluates the language proficiency students have acquired during the first part of the level they are studying. The examination consists of sections assessing reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and written expression. It also aims to assess students’ knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Final Examination

The final examination assesses the language learning outcomes that students are expected to achieve by the end of the level. Reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression are assessed together in accordance with the learning outcomes of the relevant level, thereby determining students’ overall language proficiency.

Story Examination

The story examination assesses students’ ability to understand, interpret, and analyze literary works or stories appropriate to their level. Through this examination, students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, textual analysis, critical thinking, and written expression skills are evaluated. Where necessary, students’ oral expression skills may also be incorporated into the assessment process.
The story text for which students are responsible is provided to them by the instructor/lecturer two weeks before the examination. Students prepare for the story examination by analyzing the characters, time, setting, and plot of the text and by studying relevant vocabulary.

7. EXEMPTION SYSTEM

The Turkish Exemption Examination, administered by the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship at the beginning and end of the academic term, is conducted to determine students’ existing Turkish language proficiency and assess whether they may be exempted from preparatory education. The exemption examination consists of two stages, and the assessment process is conducted in accordance with the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
In the first stage, students’ listening, reading, and writing skills are assessed. Based on the results of this stage, students are evaluated in three different categories according to their performance.

• Students who obtain 75% or above of the total score in the written examination, which consists of listening, reading, and writing skills, meet the direct exemption criterion and are considered exempt from the Turkish Preparatory Program.
• Students who do not meet the direct exemption criterion but satisfy the minimum achievement requirements specified in the relevant directive are entitled to take the second-stage speaking examination. In the speaking examination, students are assessed according to level-appropriate criteria, including oral expression, fluency, pronunciation, grammatical accuracy, vocabulary, and communicative competence.
• Upon completion of all stages of the exemption examination, students who meet the achievement criteria specified in the Directive of the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship are exempted from the preparatory program. Students who do not meet the required achievement criteria are placed in the Turkish Preparatory Program at a level appropriate to their current language proficiency and begin their education accordingly.

At the end of the academic year, the year-end achievement score is calculated by assigning a 25% weight to each of the students’ A1, A2, B1, and B2 level achievement scores and adding these weighted scores together.

Requirements for Exemption Based on Year-End Achievement Score

To qualify for exemption based on the year-end achievement score, students must meet the following requirements:

• Not have repeated any level.
• Successfully complete at least the B2 level and obtain an overall achievement average of 80 points or above in all examinations taken up to and including the A1, A2, B1, and B2 levels, including short quizzes, story examinations, midterm examinations, and presentations.

Students who meet the above-mentioned requirements are not required to take the exemption examination.

8. GRADING

At the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship, assessment and evaluation are carried out at each level through various assessment tools, including short quizzes, story examinations, midterm examinations, final examinations, and presentations. Examination content is structured according to students’ proficiency levels, and the four fundamental language skills—reading, listening, writing, and speaking—are assessed through an integrated approach. Each examination contributes to the student’s overall grade at a different percentage.

9. COURSEBOOKS

Throughout the Turkish Preparatory Program, the Yeni İstanbul Türkçe and Yedi İklim Türkçe coursebooks are used in accordance with students’ language proficiency levels.

10. SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

To support learning, the following supplementary materials are used:

• Worksheets
• Reading texts
• Tests
• Vocabulary cards
• Digital games
• Videos
• Songs
• Classroom activities
• Artificial intelligence applications
• Other coursebooks used in teaching Turkish as a foreign language

11. ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM

Assignments are an important component of the learning process.

Objectives

Assignments are designed to:

• Reinforce and consolidate acquired knowledge
• Address areas requiring improvement
• Facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge
• Support individual development

Types of Assignments

• Reading
• Writing
• Listening
• Video preparation
• Watching films
• Group work
• Online tests

12. CREATIVE DRAMA AND SPEAKING CLUBS

In addition to Turkish language classes, students have the opportunity to participate in creative drama and speaking clubs, offered both face-to-face and online.

Through a variety of activities and games, students have the opportunity to both enjoy themselves and practice Turkish in the Speaking Clubs.

All students enrolled in the Turkish Preparatory Program are eligible to participate in the Speaking Clubs.

13. IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

To support Turkish language learning, classes incorporate activities and applications such as:

• Kahoot
• Taboo
• Who Am I?
• What Am I?
• Speaking activities
• Writing exercises
• Songs
• Video analysis
• Presentations
• Creative drama

14. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

At least two extracurricular activities are organized at each level during the course. These activities aim to enhance students’ social and cultural adaptation to Türkiye while providing opportunities to practice Turkish in authentic contexts.

Activities include:

• Museum and historical site visits
• Cultural excursions
• Artistic activities such as cinema and theatre
• Picnics

In addition, a traditional end-of-year picnic is organized with the participation of all students at the end of the academic year. In addition to refreshments provided to students, various games and dance activities are organized, allowing students to celebrate the completion of the Turkish Preparatory Program in an enjoyable atmosphere.

15. TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• ✓ Arrive at classes on time.
• ✓ Maintain regular attendance.
• ✓ Do not hesitate to speak Turkish.
• ✓ Submit your assignments on time.
• ✓ Practice Turkish in your daily life.
• ✓ Be sure to ask your instructor about any topics you do not understand.

16. ACADEMIC CALENDAR

The academic calendar is announced by the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship at the beginning of each academic year.

Students are required to regularly follow examination dates, official holidays, and important announcements.

For the 2026–2027 Academic Calendar of the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship, click here.
 

17. CONTACT INFORMATION

Medipol University
Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship

North Campus
C Block, 4th Floor, No. 429

Kavacık Neighborhood, Ekinciler Avenue No. 19

Beykoz / Istanbul

E-mail:

[email protected] 

Instagram:
medipolturkcehazirlik

You can access the academic calendar, announcements, forms, and up-to-date information through the official website of the Coordinatorship.

We wish you a successful, productive, and rewarding academic year.

Medipol University
Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship

Click here to view the Turkish Preparatory Program Coordinatorship brochure.