A Level Turkish
What is it about at sixth form level?
Our A level Turkish qualification is designed to be appealing and engaging to students, while preparing them for future study and work. We have developed inspiring and culturally relevant courses based on feedback from teachers, students, subject associations, academics and advisors. The qualification has a clear structure, which will enable students to develop advanced-level, transferable language alongside a deeper cultural appreciation of Turkey and Cyprus and Turkish-speaking culture. There is an emphasis on promoting understanding of grammar to allow spontaneous, creative use of language to suit different purposes. The themes are engaging and relevant, combining familiar and new content. Popular texts and films have been chosen, both classical and contemporary.
Turkish is a significant first language because of the sheer numbers of people who speak it. 75 million people speak Turkish as their first language, making it one of the globe’s 15 most widely spoken first languages. There are other communities of speakers in the Balkans and the Caucasus, and several very large Turkish immigrant communities in Western Europe (Turkish is the second most widely spoken language in Germany, for example). Another 15 million people speak Turkish as a second language.
Why study it and what skills does it develop?
Knowledge of a foreign language is ever more valuable in an increasingly connected world. Many employers look for knowledge of at least one other language across a wide range of jobs.
Understanding a language is a first step to understanding a people and a culture. Another language enables you to enjoy everything from a casual conversation to a classic novel as it was meant to be read. It also provides a means by which to reflect upon your own culture and gain a deeper understanding of your mother tongue. An A level is typically a prerequisite for studying the language at university.
What prior knowledge and skills are required?
In order to study this subject, you must have achieved at least B at GCSE level. If you do not have a GCSE but speak the language at home, you will need to complete a simple speaking and written task to help us assess your suitability for the course.
– Understand and respond in writing to spoken language drawn from a variety of sources.
– Understand and respond in writing to written language drawn from a variety of sources.
– Manipulate the language accurately, in written forms, using a range of lexis and structures.
Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society of the countries where the language is spoken.
How is the course assessed?
Paper 1
– Translation into English, reading comprehension and writing (research question) in Turkish
– Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
– 40% of A level
Paper 2
– Translation into Turkish and written responses to works
– 2 hours 40 minutes
– 30% of A level
Paper 3
– Listening, reading and writing in Turkish
– 2 hours 15 minutes
– 30% of A level
Reading
– Literature Üç Anadolu Efsanesi, Yaşar Kemal, 1967, Yapı Kredi Yayınları Veda, Ayşe Kulin, 2008
– Everest Sessiz Ev, Orhan Pamuk, 1983, Yapı Kredi Yayınları
The books can be ordered at www.dr.com.tr / www.akakce.com / www.idefix.com
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