Overview of the English Preparatory Program

Overview of the English Preparatory Program

What is modular system?

The curriculum of the English Preparatory Program is based on a modular system.

An academic year in the English Preparatory Program consists of 4 modules, each lasting 8 weeks. According to the results of the English Placement Exam (FBU-Placement), our students are placed in the appropriate levels at the beginning of the fall semester which are “Elementary” (A1), “Pre-Intermediate” (A2), “Intermediate” (B1) and “Upper-Intermediate” (B2). General English is taught at the Elementary (A1) and Pre-Intermediate (A2) levels, while Academic English is taught at the Intermediate (B1) and Upper-Intermediate (B2) levels. Listening, speaking, reading and writing skills which are necessary to be a proficient user of a language are taught with an integrated skills approach at all levels.

The modular system is a flexible structure that encourages students to adapt to changes quickly.

Each module consists of learning and teaching stages that motivate students to follow a dynamic study plan. The system allows each student to progress at their own learning pace and be aware of their own progress, and allows them to be closely monitored.

Levels

Elementary (A1)

If the students have no or minor knowledge of English, they are placed in this level. Students starting from this level must successfully pass the A2, B1 and B2 modules in order to complete the English Preparatory Program. Students placed at this level at the beginning of the academic year complete the English Preparatory Program at the end of the spring semester and take the English Proficiency Exam (FBU-Proficiency).

Elementary (A1) learning outcomes

If you are a student starting the English Preparatory Program at this level, at the end of the module, you will be able to

• master the use of basic English vocabulary and grammar
• gain the ability to understand simple and structured reading and listening texts
• understand the basics of paragraph writing and presentation skills
• gain the ability to make short-term presentations in the community.

Pre-intermediate (A2)

If the students' knowledge of English is slightly above the elementary level, they are placed in this level. Students starting from this level must successfully pass the B1 and B2 modules, to complete the English Preparatory Program. Students placed at this level at the beginning of the academic year complete the English Preparatory Program at the end of the spring semester and take the English Proficiency Exam (FBU-Proficiency).

Pre-intermediate (A2) learning outcomes

If you are a student starting the English Preparatory Program at this level, at the end of the module, you will be able to

• understand the main ideas and details about the topics you are familiar with
• provide simple and brief explanations about daily topics orally
• defend the ideas you support by providing simple justifications in semi-prepared situations
• ask and answer questions and exchange ideas using simple patterns
• read short and simple texts written using common everyday words
• create a fluent paragraph by writing a series of simple phrases and sentences on topics you are familiar with

Intermediate (B1)

If the students' knowledge of English is at an intermediate level, they are placed in this level. Students starting from this level must successfully pass the B2 module to complete the English Preparatory Program. If they want, they can pass the English Proficiency Exam and complete the preparatory program at the end of the fall semester or continue their English education at C1 and C2 levels in the spring semester.

Intermediate (B1) learning outcomes

If you are a student starting the English Preparatory Program at this level, at the end of the module; you will be able to

• read and understand the general topics by identifying main ideas and information and specific details
• write down critical information and key ideas while listening to general topics
• make coherent descriptions about general issues and provide factual information
• communicate with confidence about general matters, including non-routine, unprepared situations
• read clearly structured texts on general topics with high frequency vocabulary
• write clear and long paragraphs in accordance with simple academic writing conventions on general subjects

Upper- intermediate (B2)

If the English knowledge of the students is above the intermediate level, they are placed in this level. Students who start from this level need to complete this level successfully and take the English Proficiency Exam. Depending on the success in the English Proficiency Exam, they can complete the English Preparatory Program at the end of the fall semester or continue their English education at C1 and C2 levels if they wish.

 Upper- intermediate (B2) learning outcomes

If you are a student starting the English Preparatory Program at this level, at the end of the module, you will be able to

• understand the standard language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics encountered in social, academic and professional lives
• understand authentic and long talks on a wide range of topics
• identify important points in a structured speech and take notes based on the main ideas
• communicate fluently, naturally, and spontaneously in relatively less predictable situations
• communicate and express exactly what you want to say

How to pass to a higher level in the modular system

Students who complete the module with an average grade of at least 60 (sixty) are considered successful in the relevant level and can pass to a higher level. Students whose GPA is below 60 (sixty) are considered unsuccessful and repeat the level they have failed in the following module. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information.)

Assessment in the modular system

Each module includes an 8-week learning and assessment process. In addition to midterm and final exams, quizzes are applied, portfolio studies, projects and presentations are carried out in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of students in each level. At the end of each module, students are evaluated with the letter grade "A" (Very Good), "B" (Good), "C" (Passes), "F" (Fails). Students who get the letter grade "F" repeat the same level. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information).

Attendance in the modular system

It is compulsory for the students to attend classes, practices and other studies assigned by the instructors. The attendance requirement is at least 80% for the English Preparatory Program. The absence of a student through a module cannot exceed 20% of the total teaching time of the relevant module. Duration of absenteeism in one module is not added to absenteeism in another module. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information.)

Exams in the English Preparatory Program:

English Placement Exam (FBU-Placement): Students who enroll in the English Preparatory Program take the exam, which has a multiple choice and writing section, to determine their English language level. It is compulsory for newly registered students to take this exam in the registration period. In the Placement Exam, students' grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening and writing skills are evaluated. Students who score 65 or above from this exam are eligible to take the Fenerbahçe University Proficiency Exam. Students who do not get enough points from the exam are placed in one of the appropriate levels in the English Preparatory Program according to their scores. There is no excuse for the English Placement Exam. Students who miss this exam start their education at A1 level. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information.)

Sample questions for the English Placement Exam (FBU-Placement):

Sample question for grammar:

Ashley: David looks so sad these days. Do you know what his problem is?

John: Well, I am not sure but it may be about his job. He is thinking of quitting his job if he _______  a good one.

a) is finding

b) finds

c) found

d) has found

Sample question for vocabulary:

A new study conducted for the World Bank by Murdoch University's Institute for Science and Technology Policy (ISTP) has _______ that public transport is more efficient than cars.

a) applied

b) expanded

c) demonstrated

d) carried out

Sample question for reading:

George pointed out to the reasons of the failure, but it was a futile act to save the company.

George _______.

a) didn’t want to save the company

b) was the reason of the failure

c) probably failed the company

d) discussed the causes of failure

In the listening section, students choose the correct or the most appropriate answer among the multiple-choice options according to the question they listen to.

Sample question for writing:

Write a paragraph describing a recent vacation that you took with your family. Be sure to describe the paragraph in detail, and conclude with what you loved most about your trip.

English Proficiency Exam (FBU-Proficiency): The English Proficiency Exam is the exit exam of the English Preparatory Program. Students who have previously failed the English Proficiency Exam, as well as those who have recently registered and scored 65 points or more from the Placement Exam, take the English Proficiency Exam. It is not compulsory to take the English Proficiency Exam for new students. Students who achieve at least 60 points out of 100 from the English Proficiency Exam are exempted from the English Preparatory Program and continue their associate or undergraduate degree programs. English Proficiency Exam takes place in two sessions, written and oral. The written exam, consisting of reading, listening, and writing, takes about three hours. The second session is held the next day of the written exam and a speaking exam is given. Speaking exam takes about 15 minutes and students are asked to be in the waiting rooms 30 minutes before the appointment time allocated to them. Students who score at least 60 out of 100 in the English Proficiency Exam are considered successful. There is no excuse for the English Proficiency Exam. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information.)

English Proficiency Exam entry requirements

At the beginning of the academic year, the English Placement Exam (FBU-Placement) is given and students who get enough points from this exam are entitled to take the English Proficiency Exam (FBU-Proficiency). Newly registered students who do not get enough points from the English Placement Exam (FBU-Placement) are placed in one of the appropriate levels in the English Preparatory Program according to the results of the English Placement Exam (FBU-Placement).

Students who complete the B1 level with 80 and above and those who finish B2 level successfully in the same academic year are entitled to take the English Proficiency Exams at the end of the fall, spring and summer semesters. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information.)

Requirements for the exemption from the English Preparatory Program

Students who pass the English Proficiency Exam (FBU-Proficiency) are exempted from the English Preparatory Program. This exam is held 4 (four) times a year: at the beginning of the relevant academic year, at the end of the fall, and spring semesters and at the end of the summer school. The exam dates are announced in advance in the academic calendar.

Students who score 60 or more out of 100 in this exam are exempted from the English Preparatory Program. They proceed to their academic studies in their relevant faculties or the courses accepted by the University Senate according to their enrollment status. (Please read the English Preparatory Program Education and Training Guidelines for detailed information.)

Students who demonstrate English proficiency through national or international exam results are exempted from the English Preparatory Program. As the validity period, the period between the exam date stated in the exam result document and the start date of the Fall term of our university are taken into consideration.