Department Overview
The Department of Foreign Language Education was established in 2000 as a unit under the Department of Educational Sciences at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Yıldız Technical University and was reorganized within the Faculty of Education in 2004. The program, which is based at the Davutpaşa Campus, introduced a preparatory class starting in the 2012–2013 academic year. The English Language Teaching Program includes courses on educational approaches used in foreign language education, as well as methods of second language acquisition and second language instruction. In addition to required second foreign language (German/French) courses, students have the opportunity to develop professionally in line with their areas of interest through elective courses offered in the program. The courses offered in the department lay a foundation for students in the general functioning of the English language during the first two years and aim to equip prospective teachers with professional skills through courses such as assessment, material development, and teaching foreign languages to children in the third and fourth years. During the 7th and 8th semesters, students prepare for their future careers by applying the theoretical and practical knowledge they have gained throughout their education in real educational settings at various schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, as determined by the department’s faculty members.
Our department consists of 2 professors, 2 associate professors, 3 assistant professors, 2 instructors, and 3 research assistants. One of our instructors holds a Ph.D., while our other instructor and research assistants are continuing their education and research.
Department Features
Although our department was established relatively recently, it boasts a young and dynamic faculty that is rapidly advancing in their respective fields. While the department’s specialized courses are taught in person, faculty members and instructors utilize various educational technologies in line with contemporary needs to support students even outside of class hours. In addition, department students are equipped with the skills to utilize technologies for foreign language education that will enhance their professional lives. As part of the Community Service Applications course, students contribute to the development of social responsibility awareness by collaborating with various non-governmental organizations—such as the Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation, Darülaceze, and LÖSEV—to develop comprehensive social responsibility projects.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
The primary goal of the English Language Teaching undergraduate program is to train modern and well-equipped English teachers to meet the needs of our country. A wide variety of career opportunities are available to students graduating from the department. The first and most fundamental of these is working as an English teacher at public and private elementary and secondary schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. In addition, our graduates can work as instructors and teaching assistants at various public and private universities, particularly in schools of foreign languages. Furthermore, some of our students continue their studies by pursuing master’s degrees and pursuing careers in academia. They are also appointed to various administrative and executive positions within the framework of European Union initiatives. Additionally, they have the opportunity to work as translators or guides in the foreign exchange departments of banks, as well as in national or international companies.
Accreditation - International Opportunities
Our department is part of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS); the ECTS credit assignments for all courses have been completed. The English Language Teaching program offers a first-cycle degree worth 240 ECTS credits. The department has bilateral agreements with a total of 17 universities in various European countries, including Austria, Spain, Sweden, and Italy, and each year an average of 15 of our students and 2 faculty members participate in this exchange program under the Erasmus program. In addition, students and faculty members from these countries join our department, contributing to the diversity of our educational programs.
For more information, please visit our ERASMUS page
http://www.yde.yildiz.edu.tr/yde/6/Öğrenci-Değişim-Programları-(Erasmus-Farabi-Mevlana)/142
Internship Information and Research Opportunities
Students in the English Language Teaching undergraduate program conduct classroom observations and teaching practicums at elementary and secondary schools during their 7th and 8th semesters. As part of these courses, our students have the opportunity to complete internships at schools of all levels—including Çapa Anatolian Teacher High School, Şair Nedim Elementary School, and Adnan Menderes Anatolian High School—with which we collaborate in various districts of Istanbul. The department is equipped with a full range of educational tools and resources—including laptops, data projectors, video cameras, and audio recording devices—that our students and faculty members can use for lectures and projects.
Student Activities
Students enrolled in our department have access not only to the activities of the student clubs at Yıldız Technical University but also to all social, cultural, and sports events organized at our university. In April and May, student clubs and groups organize traditional sports and cultural festivals. The festival, organized entirely by students and featuring student participation, includes sports competitions, conferences and panels, theater performances, concerts, and film screenings.
Students in the English Language Teaching program organize an exhibition to showcase the materials they have developed for language instruction in their classes; as part of the Community Service Applications course, they engage in volunteer activities and organize events such as charity fairs. In addition, throughout the academic year, both within the department and across the university, they organize panels, conferences, field trips, and exhibitions. Academics, authors, journalists, and artists participate in these activities. By taking part in these cultural and scientific events, students can deepen their understanding of the world, broaden their horizons, and expand their vision.