Since its establishment in 2013, Ondokuz Mayıs University Turkish Teaching Application and Research Center (OMU-TURKISH) has been dedicated to teaching Turkish to international students and promoting Turkish culture.
A total of 3,767 international students, including 828 scholarship recipients from the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and 2,941 private students, have successfully completed Turkish language education at the center and continued their academic journeys. For the first term of the 2024-2025 academic year, Turkish language instruction is ongoing for 306 students, including 40 YTB scholarship holders and 266 private students.
Providing insights into OMU-TURKISH’s activities, Prof. Dr. Serkan Şen, Director of OMU Turkish Teaching Application and Research Center, emphasized that the center’s efforts go beyond language instruction. “Our center organizes various activities to promote Turkish culture and ease students' adaptation to life in Türkiye. In addition to teaching Turkish, we support cultural integration through city tours, visits to historical and touristic sites, and special events on religious and national holidays. Through these experiences, we aim to help students create lasting memories of Türkiye,” said Prof. Dr. Şen.
The language programs at OMU-TURKISH cover A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 levels. “Courses for A1, A2, B1, and B2 levels last 7 weeks each, while the C1 level spans 8 weeks. Additionally, YTB scholarship students receive a 4-week Academic Turkish program. Students who successfully complete their studies and pass the C1 proficiency exam are awarded the Turkish Proficiency Certificate, which is recognized by all universities in Türkiye,” Prof. Dr. Şen explained.
Highlighting the center’s significant role in teaching Turkish to international students and promoting Turkish culture, Prof. Dr. Şen stated, “When we teach Turkish, we are not just offering language lessons. We also introduce students to Türkiye, Turkish culture, and our traditions. Through both academic and cultural activities, we help them adapt more quickly to life in Türkiye.”
OMU-TURKISH is actively involved in various academic and cultural collaborations to promote Turkish language education on an international level. “Our main goals include establishing units for Turkish language instruction both domestically and abroad, promoting Turkey, supporting research projects, and organizing joint educational activities,” said Prof. Dr. Şen.
Reflecting on the center’s achievements, Prof. Dr. Şen remarked, “Over the past 12 years, we have reached a large student population, making significant contributions to their academic lives. We will continue working diligently to expand our efforts in the coming years. OMU-TURKISH moves confidently towards the future with contemporary approaches, striving to ensure that Turkish, the flag of our voice, continues to thrive as a global language. Inspired by Yunus Emre’s legacy of love, we are excited to share the language of love with humanity.”
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