BAIBU English Language Teaching Program is an undergraduate program within the Department of Foreign Language Education in the Faculty of Education. It was established in 1994 with the aim of training English teachers for all levels of education (primary, secondary, and higher education) as well as academic staff for higher education institutions. The program admitted its first students in 1999 and, as of 2025, has graduated its 23rd cohort.

Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language Teaching. Since 2016, the program has included a mandatory Preparatory Year. The one-year English Preparatory Program is compulsory, and students who pass the English proficiency exam at the end of the preparatory year are directly enrolled in the first year of the undergraduate program. The English Preparatory Class is not included in the total duration of study as shown in the program structure.

Students who meet one of the following conditions are exempt from the English Preparatory Program and are directly placed into the first year:
a) Those who provide documentation of achieving the required proficiency level in a national and/or international foreign language exam recognized by the university.
b) Those who pass the English proficiency exam administered by the university at the beginning of the academic year.

Students are subject to the provisions of the Regulation on Foreign Language Teaching and Teaching in a Foreign Language in Higher Education Institutions. Courses in the program are conducted 57.9% in English.

To complete the program, students must earn 240 ECTS credits, of which 139 credits are allocated to English Language Teaching field courses. This means that (139/240 x 100) 57.9% of the courses in the program are conducted in English. The language of instruction in field-specific courses is entirely English, while Educational Sciences and General Culture courses are taught in Turkish.

The Bachelor's Degree in English Language Teaching is a four-year undergraduate program comprising 240 ECTS credits. The program meets the ECTS requirements and level qualifications defined by:

• The European Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (QF-EHEA) at the First Cycle level (Bachelor’s).
• The Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TYYÇ) at Level 6.
• The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL) at Level 6.

In this context, students in the program have a total workload of 25-30 hours per 1 ECTS credit, amounting to 6,000-7,200 hours for the entire four-year program. This workload is determined by the Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TYYÇ) (see details).

Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Bachelor's Degree (Diploma) in English Language Teaching. Graduates of the English Language Teaching undergraduate program are qualified to work as English teachers at all levels of schools under the Turkish Ministry of National Education. Additionally, graduates may find employment in private educational institutions or organizations that require the use of English. Furthermore, graduates of this program have the opportunity to pursue Master's and Doctorate degrees in various fields and participate in research projects.

Student admission to this program is based on the results of the central YGS and LYS exams administered by the Higher Education Council (YÖK). International students are admitted to this program based on an internationally recognized high school diploma and internationally valid examination results.

The admission of exchange students is carried out within the framework of bilateral agreements (Erasmus or General Academic Protocol) signed between Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University and its partner universities. Guest students within the faculty and university may attend courses in this program if they receive approval from the relevant academic unit. Since 57.9% of the courses in our department are conducted in English, students must also provide proof of their English language proficiency to enroll in these courses.

Admissions to first-cycle degree programs in higher education institutions in Turkey are conducted through a central placement examination. This centralized examination is administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). The placement process consists of two stages: the first stage is the Basic Proficiency Test, and the second is the Field Proficiency Test. Students who achieve the required scores in these two exams can select their first-year programs based on their scores from these central exams. Placement into first-cycle degree programs is determined based on students' scores from the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) and their secondary education grade point average (in the Turkish education system, high school).

Each university under the Higher Education Council determines its own criteria for admitting international students and assesses whether applicants meet these criteria. Therefore, international students who wish to obtain a degree from an undergraduate program must apply directly to the relevant university's Student Affairs Office or International Relations Office.

Applicants must submit the required documents within the dates specified in the universities' academic calendars for international student admissions. After the submission of documents, faculty boards review and evaluate each applicant's application file. Once an application is accepted, the applicant is granted the right to enroll as a student in the relevant department of the respective university.

Students continuing their studies in the English Language Teaching undergraduate program at the Faculty of Education, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, may be exempt from courses they have previously completed at another institution, in accordance with relevant regulations.

If the content of the previously taken course(s) is deemed equivalent to the course(s) offered in this program and is approved by the Faculty of Education Dean’s Office, the student may be granted an exemption from those course(s).

Students who successfully complete our program are awarded a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Teaching degree.

Admission to this program is based on the results of the central YGS and LYS exams administered by the Higher Education Council (YÖK).

International students are admitted to this program based on an internationally recognized high school diploma and internationally valid examination results.

The Department of Foreign Language Education offers a four-year undergraduate program of 240 ECTS credits in English Language Teaching. Under normal conditions, the graduation period is eight semesters.

The main objective of the English Language Teaching program is to train English teachers and scholars who adhere to the principles and fundamentals of modern education, can adapt to technological advancements in education, and stay updated with developments in their field.

Additionally, the program aims to train English teachers who meet global educational needs, possess high foreign language proficiency, acquire subject knowledge and all necessary language skills related to foreign language education, and are committed to conducting individual and collaborative research, improving the educational institutions they work in, and enhancing their professional development.

Currently, the Department of Foreign Language Education offers only the English Language Teaching undergraduate program. The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical courses designed to equip future English teachers with the necessary competencies to meet the demands of globalization and modern times. Courses cover areas such as classroom application of foreign language skills, methods of teaching English as a foreign language, teaching English language skills, the use of technology in foreign language teaching, educational sciences, and general culture courses. In addition, school experience and teaching practicum courses are offered in collaboration with selected schools.

Through a combination of general, departmental, and non-departmental elective and compulsory courses, students are given the opportunity to develop themselves in social, cultural, and professional topics based on their individual interests.

The academic staff of the program consists of 1 Professor, 3 Associate Professors, 1 Assistant Professor, 2 Lecturers, and 1 Research Assistant.

Graduates of the program can work as English teachers in public and private schools, as well as in private tutoring centers affiliated with the Ministry of National Education.

Additionally, they may work as lecturers in higher education institutions.

Graduates can pursue postgraduate programs. The English Language Teaching Department offers a Master’s Program in English Language Education with a thesis, allowing graduates to continue their higher education.

Additionally, the department provides opportunities for students to enroll in master's programs under the Graduate School of our university.

Teaching Methods Used in the English Language Teaching Program:

Lecture, Question-Answer, Discussion, Practice and Application, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Drama, Group Work, Simulation, Brainstorming, Case Study, Workshop/Field Application, Individual Study, Problem Solving, Project-Based Learning.

Assessment and Evaluation Methods Used in the English Language Teaching Program:

Written Exam/Test, Oral Exam, Assignment, Project/Design Presentation, Portfolio Preparation and Presentation, Performance Task, Lesson Presentation, Practical Work/Workshop/Seminar/Presentation.

The Department of Foreign Language Education offers a four-year undergraduate program of 240 ECTS credits in English Language Teaching. Under normal conditions, the graduation period is eight semesters.

To graduate from the English Language Teaching Program, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 out of 4.00.
• Successfully complete all required courses and any other prescribed academic activities within the curriculum.
• Complete the total workload of 240 ECTS credits.

Graduation is approved by the relevant administrative board once these requirements are fulfilled. Graduating students are awarded a diploma along with a diploma supplement in English, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University
Faculty of Education, Department of Foreign Language Education
Gölköy Campus, Bolu, Turkey

Email: elt@ibu.edu.tr

Phone: +90 374 254 10 00 / 1725

Program Chair: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Akayoğlu

ECTS/DS Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Akayoğlu

Opportunities provided to students:

• An additional year of English language learning through the Foreign Language Preparatory Program.
• One academic year of education within Turkey through the national exchange program, Farabi Program.
• Up to 12 months of international education through Erasmus+ and Mevlâna exchange programs.
• The opportunity to pursue postgraduate education if accepted into master's programs after graduation.
• The English Language Teaching Department offers a Thesis-Based Master's Program in English Language Education, providing graduates the opportunity to continue their higher education under the university’s Graduate School.

The department has three classrooms, all equipped with necessary computers, projectors, and sound systems. Additionally, one actively used classroom includes a department library. Technological tools are effectively utilized in classrooms, and students have access to wireless internet.

The highest-scoring candidate admitted to this program (excluding supplementary placements) who does not receive a scholarship from another institution is awarded a non-repayable scholarship by the İzzet Baysal Foundation.

Candidates who list this program among their top five choices and are admitted may receive a scholarship from the Ministry of National Education (MEB), based on the number of scholarship positions specified in the "MEB" column. The Ministry of National Education’s official announcements should be followed for details (not applicable in supplementary placements).

For detailed information, visit: http://aday.ibu.edu.tr