PURPOSE

To provide high standard English education to Istanbul Kent University students.

MISSION

In the framework of Istanbul Kent University's vision of training well-educated and equipped individuals, in addition to language proficiency skills, the acquisition of skills and practices that will allow students to become world citizens in their business and everyday lives.

VISION

Students at Istanbul Kent University can express themselves in English not only during their studies at the faculty, but also in their working lives. In addition to English language skills, our students are also equiped with skills such as time management for studies and business life, using academic resources, conducting research, critical thinking, expressing themselves properly both verbally and in writing in the English Preparatory Program.

VALUES

• Well-prepared and well-conducted educational programs
• A positive learning environment
• Respect for students and different cultures
• Critical thinking and questioning
• Academic research skills
• Transparency
• Innovation

​Istanbul Kent University English Preparatory Program’s curriculum consists of 4 modules which last at least 7 weeks. These modules are named as follows to coincide with a level in English learning:

• ​​Beginner (A1)
• Elementary (A2)
• Intermediate (B1)
• Upper-intermediate (B2) 

There is an integrated teaching design in the curriculum at all levels. In other words, there aren't specific courses of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Language skills are taught as a whole.

General English is taught at Beginner (A1) and Elementary (A2) levels. In the levels of Intermediate (B1) and Upper-intermediate (B2) English language skills that students will need in their academic lives; namely academic English is taught. 

Measurement and evaluation system is designed in a process-based manner in line with the curriculum. Students take one regular exam during the 7-week module. In addition, alternative measurement methods such as process-based writing studies, classroom presentations, video projects, group discussions are implemented to measure the education program. 

At the end of the module, students take Module Exit Test (MET). By taking the average of the grade they have received out of 100 in the module and the grade they have received out of 100 in MET, each student's average module points are calculated. Accordingly, students are graded in the following manner:

• ​​A  letter grade: 85-100
• B letter grade: 75-84
• C  letter grade: 60-74
• F letter grade: 0-59 (Failed)

To move on to the next level, students must get an A, B or C letter grade. Students who receive an F, repeat the same level using different books/materials from the previous level.

In the Kent English Preparatory Program, students are required to attend at least 85% of class hours during a module. Students who surpass 15 % absence limit can not take the Module Exit Exam (MET) and they must repeat the level. 

Our students, who have a certificate proving that they have succeeded at the level determined by our university from the international language proficiency exams, which are considered equivalent and valid by our university, who have sufficient knowledge of English and want to be exempt from the Preparatory Program, can apply to the Directorate of Student Affairs. Applications must be submitted no later than one month before the start of the fall semester courses and in writing.

The equivalence table of English Proficiency Exams accepted by Istanbul Kent University (for undergraduate and graduate students):​

KELT: Istanbul Kent University English Language Test

TOEFL IBT: Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-based TOEFL (https://www.etsglobal.org/Tests-Preparation/The-TOEFL-Family-of-Assessments/TOEFL-iBT-Test)

PTE ACADEMIC: Pearson Test of English Academic Version (https://pearsonpte.com/)

* Pursuant to the decision of the Higher Education Council dated January 22, 2016, IELTS is no longer on the list of valid exams for English proficiency.   

* For the evaluation of the approval of other exams that are not included in the equivalence list, a scanned copy of the relevant document must be sent to prep@kent.edu.tr.

ENGLISH PLACEMENT EXAM (DBS)

Students who have enrolled in an English program at Istanbul Kent University take a multiple-choice exam to determine their English level. The total duration of English Placement Exam (DBS) is 50 minutes and it consists of grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening sections. The English Placement Exam is held to determine the English level of the students and place them in a suitable preparatory class and determine the students who are eligible to take the Istanbul Kent University English Proficiency Exam (KELT). The exam consists of 30 grammar, 30 vocabulary, 20 reading and 20 listening multiple choice questions. Students who have received a sufficient grade from this exam are eligible to enter KELT, while other students are placed at one of the appropriate levels in the English Preparatory Program according to their grade. If students think that they are not placed in a class according to their level, they can contact the lecturers within the first week. Students who do not take the exam are placed in an A1-level classroom and receive basic English education.

It is also possible for students, who have enrolled in a bachelor's or associate's degree program in Turkish, to be exempt from English 101 and/or English 102 courses by taking this exam. English Placement Exam is also required for students who study in a Turkish Programme but wish to study in English Preparatory Program for one year.

KENT ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAM (KELT)

Istanbul Kent University English Proficiency Exam (KELT-KENT English Language Proficiency Test) is the exit exam of English Preparatory Program. KELT is held with students who meet the exam entry requirements before the start of the academic year, at the end of the fall semester, at the end of the spring semester and at the end of the summer semester. This exam consists of the sections of “reading”, “listening”, “writing” and “speaking”. It takes place in two different sessions, "written exam" and "oral exam". The written exam, consisting of reading, listening and writing sections, lasts about three hours. 

The written exam is held in the morning. A second session is held in the afternoon of the same day or the next day, and "oral" exam is held. "Speaking" exam lasts about 15 minutes. At the end of the first session, students learn the place and time of the "oral" exams from the lists in the classroom where they take the written exam. Students are asked to be in the specified waiting area 30 minutes before the exam time. Exam times are not changed after the lists are announced. If a student misses any session, even if they have a medical report or similar excuse, they can not enter KELT make-up exam.

During the exam days, students are required to have another official ID with an up-to-date picture along with their school ID with an image. If the images do not match, the lecturer may ask for a second official ID.

KELT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 

Students newly enrolled in the university take English Placement Exam before the English Proficiency Exam, which is held at the beginning of the academic year, on the registration days. Students who get sufficient points in English Placement Exam are contacted and informed that they are eligible to take the English Proficiency Exam and when they will take the exam. Students may prefer to study in the English Preparatory Program at this stage. If a student decides to study, he/she waives the right to take the English Proficiency Exam. Newly registered students who do not get sufficient points are placed at one of the appropriate levels in the English Preparatory Program according to the results of the DBS. 

Students, who have successfully completed the last level (B2 - intermediate level) of English Preparatory Programme in the same academic year, and attended at least 85% of the courses, are eligible to enter KELT exams at the end of the fall semester, spring semester or summer term. 

Reading Section

Students are expected to answer a total of 20 multiple-choice questions by reading two texts. A total of 60 minutes is allocated for "reading" section, and each question is worth 1.5 points. Students are expected to answer the questions within the given time and fill in the optical form. No additional time is allocated to fill in the optical form. The reading section consists of multiple-choice questions. It is recommended that students take a look at the sample exam on the University website for more detailed information about types of questions. The reading section accounts for 30 percent of the exam.

Listening Section

There are two listening tracks in KELT. First listening track is a 10- to 15-minute-long dialogue and students are expected to answer listening questions simultaneously while listening to this conversation. The first listening track consists of 10 questions, and the total cumulative points is 10. In the second listening track, students are expected to listen to an academic lecture track of 13 to 15 minutes and take notes. Then, students are asked to answer the questions after listening, using the notes they have taken. In the second listening track, there are 10 questions, and the total cumulative points is 10. The listening section contains multiple-choice questions. The time allocated for the entire listening section is 35 minutes. No additional time is allocated to fill in the optical form. The listening section accounts for 20 percent of the exam. 

Writing Section

Students are expected to write an essay in which they discuss an idea related to the academic lecture audio they have listened to or one of the texts in the reading section. They are asked to write an academic essay of about 300 words in a total of 60 minutes. Student essays are evaluated in terms of organization, content, vocabulary and grammar. The evaluation criterion for essay / written expression can be found in the sample exam section on the University website. The writing section constitutes 30 percent of the exam. 

Speaking Section

Students are admitted in pairs to the hall where two lecturers are present. "Speaking" exam lasts about 15 minutes, and according to the exam procedure, students' performances are recorded. Students learn the place and time of the "speaking" exams from the lists in the classroom where they take the written exam on the day of the first session. Students are asked to be in the specified waiting rooms 30 minutes before their appointment. Appointment times cannot be changed after the lists are hung up. The speaking exam consists of three parts. In the first part, students are asked personal questions to introduce themselves. In the second part of the exam, students are asked to express their opinions on an academic topic. Students are given time to think and are expected to talk about the topic for about a minute at the end of this time. In the last part, students are asked to evaluate the topic of discussion from the point of view assigned to them and try to convince other student who defend the opposite opinion and refute their ideas. This discussion can last about six minutes. Student performances are evaluated in terms of grammar skills and communication skills, fluency and content richness. The oral exam evaluation criterion can be found in the sample exam file on University website. Speaking section accounts for 20 percent of the exam.

GRADING 

Students are expected to have received at least 60 points in total to be successful in the English Proficiency Exam. Total points are announced as A, B, C and F letter grades. The range from 85 to 100 corresponds to the letter grade A, the range from 70 to 84 corresponds to the letter grade B, and the range from 60 to 69 corresponds to the letter grade C. Students who receive a grade below 60 receive an F letter grade. Exam results are announced to students by sending an e-mail to their institutional email address with the domain of @ogr.kent.edu.tr.

APPEALING EXAM RESULTS

Students have the right to appeal exam results within 5 (five) working days after the exam results are announced. Students who will appeal must sign the appeal form which can be found on the website of Istanbul Kent University and hand it in to the department secretary or email a scanned copy or photo of it to prep@kent.edu.tr. Appeals are finalized in two working days and the results are announced by sending an e-mail to the students' institutional e-mail address.

INTERNATIONALLY VALID EXAMS 

Students who wish to be exempted from English Preparatory Program due to their language proficiency, may submit certificate of international exams which are accepted by our University, in addition to English Proficiency Exam (KELT) held during certain periods. Students who have a certificate proving that they are successful according to the level determined by our University can apply to the Student Affairs Directorate on this issue. The validity period of these exams is two calendar years. Applications must be submitted in writing no later than one month before the start of faculty courses.

Director of School of Languages Lecturer Deniz KARACA

Head of the Department of Foreign Languages: Lecturer Doğan Can VURAL

English Preparatory Programme Coordinator:Lecturer  Furkan Yiğit TORNACI

Turkish Preparatory Programme Coordinator: Lecturer Belgin KOÇ

Secretary of the School of Languages: Asena TUNALI

Contact: prep@kent.edu.tr