Why German?

The German language is the most widely-spoken first language in Europe. By speaking German one can communicate with 100 million Europeans in their native language.

Germany is the most important trade partner of Turkey. There are more than 1000 German companies operating in Turkey and over 3 million German tourists visit Turkey every year. There are far more opportunities in the employment market for the people who speak German.

Germany is an appealing country in terms of higher education. Higher education in Germany provides people who speak German with various opportunities. One of these opportunities is postgraduate studies. Many students as well as Turks prefer studying in Germany . In addition, Turkish students have the opportunity to apply for DAAD scholarships and Erasmus Programmes and continue their higher education in Germany.

Owing to the Turkish immigrants in Germany, strong personal ties have been established between Germany and Turkey. Speaking German helps them to live together.
Speaking a foreign language broadens cultural, intellectual and occupational horizons and enables people to appreciate different cultures. In addition to its benefits in terms of enlargement of European Union, multi-lingualism always provides an advantage.

People who can read German not only gain a better understanding of the works of Goethe, Nietzsche, Kafka, Bach, Beethoven, Freud and Einstein but also have an advantageous position in the cyber world: German is the second most common language on the Internet after English. 20% of the books published all over the world is in German.

Lessons

In TOMER, all classes are furnished with a U-type seating system so that learners can communicate with the teacher as well as their peers in the most efficient way. Each class is equipped with DVD players and televisions and these are used during the teaching process effectively. Each class holds 5 to 16 learners.

German courses consist of 14 levels: 6 basic levels, 4 intermediate levels and 4 advanced levels. Learners who receive diploma in the German classes arranged in accordance with the European Language Portfolio reach C1 level. The diploma is received in 14 months (560 hours total) in monthly intensive courses or in 28 months (672 hours total) in bimonthly courses. A certificate is issued at the end of elementary and intermediate courses. ‘TOMER Diplomas’ confirmed by Ankara University Rectorship are issued at the end of advanced courses.

Eclectic Method is applied in the classes in TOMER and the learner holds the central position in teaching activities; the instructor acts as a guide in the class, every learner has an equal right to speak and the learners are dynamised in the classes. Target language (German) is spoken during the classes, four basic language skills (Listening Comprehension, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Written Expression) are practised equally, and Grammar, a lateral skill, is taught, as well.

Courses for General Purposes

Basic level coursebooks are LAGUNE 1 and LAGUNE 2. In Intermediate and Advanced levels EM series are used as coursebooks. In addition to these books, supplementary materials and tests prepared by TOMER German Department are used as course materials.

Course attendees who have completed elementary courses reach A2 level according to the European Language Portfolio. These learners are able to introduce themselves and their family members, ask for and give directions, order in a restaurant and do shopping by using the three basic tenses (present, past and future) and imperatives. Course attendees who have completed intermediate courses reach B1 level. These learners are able to express themselves easily, understand newspaper or magazine articles at least to a certain extent, prepare short reports, write CVs and application letters to apply for a job. Course attendees who have completed advanced courses reach C1 level. These learners are able to read and understand newspapers and articles easily, watch films in German without subtitles, understand the news and panel shows on TV or on the radio, summarize an article, follow and discuss the scientific articles in their own fields easily.

The most important feature of the books used in German classes is that they place equal importance to the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing Skills in accordance with The Common European Framework. Within the framework of the specified targets, learners practise listening, speaking, reading and writing regularly in each class from the beginning to the end of the programme.

Courses for Specific Purposes

Courses for specific purposes include KPDS-UDS, Translation and Family Reunion classes. KPDS-UDS tests preparation classes consist of three levels. At least A2 level in German is required to join these classes. KPDS-UDS Level 1 includes grammar in general. Grammar patterns which learners may have difficulty in understanding are taught in this level. In KPDS-UDS Level 2, the question types which are included in these tests (vocabulary, passage questions, finding the sentences violating the text cohesion, dialogue completion etc.) are practised. In KPDS-UDS Level 3 pilot tests are taken by the course attendees. These classes are comprised of 10 hours a week and 40 hours a month and 120 hours in 3 months in total. Family Reunion classes which have been hold since September 2007 consist of 2 levels. Course attendees take 180 hours of lessons in these two levels. The aim of these classes is to improve the course attendees’ grammar, vocabulary and four language skills (reading / writing / listening / speaking) for START DEUTSCH 1 test at A1 level.

Speaking Clubs and Speaking Classes

For learners already registered at TOMER German courses, there are speaking classes organised at different hours under the name of Speaking Club. The lessons are given by experienced Turkish and German instructors and the learners practise speaking in different topics which may arouse learners’ attention. These classes are free of charge for the course attendees of TOMER.
Paid speaking courses for people who need to improve their speaking skills in German are held upon request.

Final Tests  

Final tests evaluating the four basic skills are held at the end of each level which coincides with certificate levels. The test is taken at the end of 40 hours in intensive courses and 48 hours in bimonthly courses in order to evaluate to what extent the learners reach the stated targets. Grading criterion is presented below. If a learner fails to meet the pass mark required for a skill, a make-up test is given for the skill concerned only. Learners who fail in more than one skill are asked to repeat the level. Levels at the end of which a test is given are listed below:

In the levels which do not require a test at the end, learners’ success is assessed by the instructors according to the performance evaluation criteria. The instructors carry out these evaluations by observing the learners’ contribution to the classes, how regularly they do the homework given, their success in quizzes, their enthusiasm and the speed of their improvement. The learners who are disapproved to pass by the instructor may demand to take a final test and may pass according to the result of the test.

Grading Criteria for the Tests