Republic of Turkey
Lokman Hekim University
Turkish Preparatory Education, Teaching, and Examination Guidelines
(Approved by the Lokman Hekim University Senate at its meeting on 6 July 2021, revised at its meetings on 30 November 2021, 23 August 2023 and 31 July 2024.)
PART ONE
Purpose, Scope, Legal Basis and Definitions
Purpose
ARTICLE 1- (1) The purpose of this guideline is to determine the principles regarding the Turkish preparatory programme to be implemented for international students seeking to pursue associate degree, undergraduate, and graduate-level education, as well as Turkish courses to be offered for foreigners wishing to learn Turkish.
Scope
ARTICLE 2- (1) This guideline applies to the Turkish preparatory programme to be implemented for international students seeking to pursue associate degree, undergraduate, and graduate-level education, as well as Turkish courses to be offered for foreigners wishing to learn Turkish at the Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre, as well as Turkish courses for foreigners wishing to learn Turkish. It covers the principles of education and training, student/course participant registration and admission requirements, course and exam fees, and exam and evaluation activities.
Legal Basis
ARTICLE 3- (1) This Guideline has been prepared in accordance with the Higher Education Law No. 2547, the Regulation on the Principles to Be Observed in Foreign Language Instruction and Instruction in a Foreign Language at Higher Education Institutions, and the Regulation of the Lokman Hekim University Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre.
Definitions
ARTICLE 4- (1) The terms used in this guideline shall have the following meanings:
a) ADP: European Language Portfolio,
b) Framework Programme (CEFR): Common European Framework of Reference for Languages,
c) DİLMER: Lokman Hekim University Language Teaching Application and Research Centre,
ç) Preparatory Education: Turkish language education that students are required to take in programmes where the language of instruction is entirely Turkish or partially a foreign language,
d) KAS: Level Placement Exam,
e) Course Participant: Individuals who have registered for Turkish language courses offered at the Centre, excluding students of Lokman Hekim University,
f) Centre: The Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre affiliated with Lokman Hekim University,
g) Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees of Lokman Hekim University,
ğ) Student: A student enrolled at Lokman Hekim University who does not have sufficient Turkish language proficiency,
h) Program: The ‘Basic Level A1/A2’, ‘Intermediate Level B1/B2’, and ‘Advanced Level C1’ courses, each lasting a total of 960 hours and organised over two semesters,
ı) Level Placement Exam: The exam determining the level at which a student will continue their preparatory class education,
i) Proficiency/Certification Exam: An exam administered to candidates applying to the centre other than Lokman Hekim University students to certify their Turkish language proficiency,
j) Management Board: The Management Board of the Lokman Hekim University Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre,
k) YTB: Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities,
l) Year-end success score: The score obtained by adding 40% of the average of the course scores (excluding the C1 course) and 60% of the C1 proficiency exam score at the end of the Turkish preparatory programme for students and trainees,
shall mean.
SECOND PART
Principles Related to Education and Teaching
Purpose of the education and teaching programme
ARTICLE 5- (1) The purpose of the Turkish preparatory education and teaching programme conducted by the Lokman Hekim University Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre is to ensure that international students who wish to pursue undergraduate or graduate-level education in a department/programme where the language of instruction is Turkish, but who have not met the Turkish language exemption conditions, undergraduate, and graduate levels who have not met the Turkish language exemption requirements.
(2) The purpose of the Turkish language courses organised by the Lokman Hekim University Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre is to equip participants with the ability to understand what they read and hear, and to express themselves adequately in written and oral communication in cultural and social contexts.
(3) The language preparatory education and training is provided in accordance with the CEFR framework, in line with the aforementioned purpose.
Admission and registration requirements
ARTICLE 6- (1) International students who have registered for associate degree and undergraduate programmes with a Turkish language proficiency requirement at the beginning of the academic year, as well as international associate degree, undergraduate and postgraduate students referred to DİLMER by YTB or similar institutions and organisations, will begin the Turkish Preparatory Programme if they have not met the Turkish language exemption requirements.
(2) Students wishing to learn Turkish may register by completing the required application form along with the necessary documents. Registrations are processed in accordance with the principles determined by the Management Board and published on the website.
(3) Students from outside the university may apply online or in person to pre-register for a course at their desired date.
(4) Applications for courses or exams are evaluated and decided upon by the relevant units of DİLMER.
(5) Candidates who do not complete their final registration by the specified dates cannot claim any rights.
(6) Persons who register for courses organised by DİLMER are issued a temporary student certificate.
(7) Course fees paid by students who fail to meet the attendance requirements or fail the course exams twice will not be refunded.
Exam and Course Fees
ARTICLE 7- (1) The fees for exams, courses, and acceptance certificates to be collected from students and course participants, as well as the refunds to be made to students and course participants, are determined by the Board of Trustees.
(2) Students coming to Turkey on scholarships are provided with courses at the fees and hours determined by the YTB. No additional fees are collected from students under this scholarship.
Exemption Conditions
ARTICLE 8- (1) International students who have enrolled in programmes requiring Turkish language proficiency at the University and who meet any of the following exemption conditions are exempt from the mandatory Turkish preparatory programme. The exemption conditions are as follows:
a) Achieving a score of at least 70 in the Turkish exemption exam conducted by the Lokman Hekim University Language Teaching, Application and Research Centre at the beginning of each academic year
b) Achieving a score of at least 70 in the Turkish preparatory education programme conducted by Lokman Hekim University DİLMER
c) Possessing a valid examination result certificate demonstrating successful completion of the Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS) organised by the Yunus Emre Institute and confirming that the Turkish language proficiency level is at least C1 level.
ç) To have completed at least the last three years of secondary education at a secondary education institution where the language of instruction is Turkish (high schools in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as well as high schools abroad affiliated with the Ministry of National Education) and to have graduated, or to have graduated from an associate degree, bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university where the language of instruction is Turkish and to provide documentation of this.
(2) These documents must be submitted to the DİLMER Directorate by the deadline for adding or dropping courses specified in the academic calendar and approved by this unit.
Duration of the education and training programme
ARTICLE 9- (1) Turkish preparatory education/course levels and durations are as follows:
Courses
Hours
Level
A1
180
Basic
A2
180
Basic
B1
180
Intermediate
B2
180
Intermediate
C1
240
Advanced
(2) The above-mentioned education periods, course contents, course hours and exams are determined by the Board of Directors.
(3) Mid-term breaks are held on dates deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors at the end of each course.
THIRD SECTION
Exams and Evaluation of Success Turkish Proficiency and Level Determination Exam
ARTICLE 10- (1) Turkish level determination exam: A level determination exam is conducted by DİLMER for students admitted to associate degree, undergraduate, and graduate programmes to determine the level at which they will begin preparatory class education. Students who score 70 or above in this exam are required to take the Turkish C1 proficiency exam. Students who score 70 or above in this proficiency exam are exempt from Turkish preparatory education. Students who fail the level determination exam are granted one exam attempt in exchange for paying the Turkish exam fee determined for that academic year.
(2) Based on the score obtained in this exam, it is determined whether the student is exempt from Turkish preparatory classes and at which level they will study in the foreign language preparatory classes.
(3) Students who score at least 70 out of 100 at the ‘Advanced Level-C1’ level in the exam and pass the end-of-year proficiency exam are admitted to the relevant Faculty or Vocational School.
(4) Candidates other than Lokman Hekim University students who wish to have their Turkish language proficiency certified by applying to the centre may take the Turkish proficiency/certification exam held on various dates, provided that they pay the specified fee.
results, candidates are awarded certificates according to their language proficiency levels. The corresponding language proficiency level is determined based on the average score obtained out of 100 (one hundred) in the Turkish language proficiency and level determination exam.
Corresponding
Language Level
Score
Value
A1-Beginner
00-39
A2-Beginner
40-49
B1-Kuru
50-59
B2-Kuru
60-69
C1-Kuru
70-100
Midterm exams and level advancement exams
ARTICLE 11- (1) At least one midterm exam is administered within each level, and a level advancement exam is administered at the end of the level on the dates specified in the academic calendar. These exams are graded on a scale of 100. The final grade for each level is calculated by adding 40% of the midterm exam score and 60% of the level advancement exam score.
(2) Exams are designed to assess the student's reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression skills.
(3) The evaluation criteria for midterm exams and exams are determined by the Centre. The final grade for each level is calculated by averaging all skills at a 25% ratio. Students are considered to have passed the level advancement exam if they receive a grade of 60 or higher.
(3) The evaluation criteria for mid-term exams or exams are determined by the Centre. For the final grade, all skills are calculated equally at 25%. To pass the level advancement exam, students must score at least 60 points in total for each skill.
(4) The criteria for passing the four basic skills are specified in the table below.
Language Skill
Minimum
Maximum
Reading Comprehension
15
25
Listening Comprehension
15
25
Written Expression
15
25
Oral Expression
15
25
(5) If a student fails to obtain a passing grade in one or more language skills, they are granted the right to retake the exam for the relevant skill(s). If the student fails to obtain the required score in the retake exam, they must repeat the course. Students who fail the repeated course or are absent from the course are only eligible for education in the following academic year. The normal duration of preparatory classes is one academic year, and the maximum duration is two academic years. Students who fail to complete the preparatory class successfully within two academic years or who are absent from classes will be dismissed.
C1 Proficiency Exam and Year-End Success Grade
ARTICLE 12- (1) The C1 Proficiency Exam is a Turkish language proficiency exam at the C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
(2) The C1 proficiency exam is designed to assess the student's reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression skills.
(3) Exams conducted within DİLMER are evaluated on a scale of 100 points.
(4) The year-end success score for students and trainees is calculated by adding 40% of the average of the course grades obtained in the Turkish Preparatory Programme (excluding the C1 course) and 60% of the C1 proficiency exam score. The year-end success score must be at least 70.
(5) Students who successfully complete the Turkish preparatory education are deemed to have achieved C1 level language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and are eligible to receive a certificate from DİLMER at the C1 level.
(6) Students who fail the C1 proficiency exam at the end of the second semester of the preparatory class are granted an additional exam opportunity. Students who fail this exam are required to take the level determination exam at the beginning of the next academic year and continue their preparatory education at the determined level.
Excused Exam
ARTICLE 13– (1) Students who are unable to take exams due to acceptable and documented reasons must submit a written application to the Management Board within five days of the end of the excuse.
(2) A make-up exam may be conducted for students who were unable to attend the midterm exam due to valid and acceptable reasons, upon their request and if deemed appropriate by the Management Board. The relevant provisions of the Lokman Hekim University Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree Education, Teaching, and Exam Regulations apply to make-up exams. There are no make-up exams for final exams or comprehensive exams.
FOURTH SECTION
Miscellaneous and Final Provisions
Attendance Requirement and Leave
ARTICLE 14- (1) Attendance at Turkish preparatory classes is mandatory at a rate of 80%. Accordingly, a student or trainee who has not attended more than 20% of the total class hours is considered to have failed due to absenteeism and must repeat the course. Such a student or trainee will not be admitted to mid-term or final exams. The attendance requirements for students referred to the centre by YTB and similar institutions and organisations are determined by the relevant institutions and organisations. The absenteeism rate determined by these institutions shall not be lower than the rate determined by DİLMER.
(2) The procedures regarding the granting of leave and attendance status for students enrolled in Turkish language courses are evaluated and decided by the Management Board.
Summer programme
ARTICLE 15- (1) A summer programme may be organised for students who fail at the end of the academic year, subject to the decision of the Management Board. The implementation principles for the summer programme are determined by the Management Board and announced on the website.
Matters not covered
ARTICLE 16- (1) In cases not covered by this Regulation, the provisions of Law No. 2547, the Regulation on the Principles to Be Observed in Foreign Language Education and Instruction in Foreign Languages at Higher Education Institutions, and other relevant legislation shall apply.
Entry into Force
ARTICLE 17- (1) This Regulation enters into force on the date of its publication.
Implementation
ARTICLE 18- (1) The provisions of this Regulation are implemented by the Rector of Lokman Hekim University.
