Deputy Minister of National Education: A foreign language teacher should start the lesson the moment they step into the classroom

Deputy Minister of National Education Nazif Yılmaz attended the English and Turkish Culture Program held at the Şehit Bekir Ferhat Kaya Imam Hatip Secondary School in the Yahşihan district of Kırıkkale.

The program showcased the achievements provided to students through intensive foreign language education.

The event, held in the school's conference hall, began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem. Afterward, students presented theatrical performances in English and Turkish, and sang songs and hymns.

Deputy Minister of National Education Nazif Yılmaz, in his statement, noted that intensive foreign language education is provided for 8 to 10 hours per week in nearly 600 Imam Hatip secondary schools, stating, "In the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, intensive foreign language education can be provided for 8 to 10 hours per week over a period of 3 years."

Emphasizing that the teacher must serve as a model in foreign language instruction, Yılmaz said, "If you are teaching a foreign language, the teacher must speak that foreign language. A foreign language is not taught by walking into a classroom and saying, 'Hello children, I am your English teacher'; our teacher should speak the language they are teaching in the best possible way the moment they step into the classroom, and the child should learn the language in this manner."

Yılmaz also drew attention to the multilingual preparatory classes opened in Imam Hatip high schools, stating, "German, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Persian, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian. Currently, in these 10 languages, they are performing just like our children here; they are holding debates, performing plays, and learning these languages in the most perfect way."

Kırıkkale Governor Mehmet Makas said, "We are obligated to raise a generation with one foot firmly planted on Anatolian soil and the other reaching out to the seven continents. We are following in the footsteps of our ancestors like Fatih Sultan Mehmet, who knew 7 languages. However, this is possible not only through language education but also through education supported by the foundation of the Quran and Sunnah."

Referring to the Century of Turkey vision, Governor Makas added, "In this era, which is the age of the Turk, we must raise well-equipped individuals who govern the world on the basis of justice and peace."

Deputy Minister Yılmaz also visited the Kırıkkale Governor's Office and received information from Governor Makas about the ongoing work.