The School of Foreign Languages (YDYO) was established on September 23, 1998, as a department under the Rector’s Office, and began offering instruction to undergraduate students in the 1998–1999 academic year. Starting in the 1999–2000 academic year, it also began providing language instruction for evening program students. The School of Foreign Languages has two main departments: Basic English and Modern Languages. The Basic English Department provides mandatory English instruction to students who do not achieve a sufficient score on the English Proficiency Exam (İYS) administered at the beginning of the academic year. The Modern Languages Department, on the other hand, offers courses such as Advanced English and English for Business to students who have completed this mandatory English preparatory instruction and have begun their undergraduate studies. This department also includes the German Language Office, which offers German language courses. Starting in the fall semester of the 2010 academic year, a 30% mandatory English instruction requirement has been implemented in many faculties at Yıldız Technical University. To enable YTÜ students to conduct their academic work in their respective departments, the School of Foreign Languages aims to equip students with the language foundation they need for both their academic and professional lives by blending up-to-date methods and approaches that meet students’ academic expectations, all in alignment with the university’s mission and vision. At the same time, these programs are designed to foster students’ development into self-confident, independent individuals who take ownership of their learning throughout their education.
Serving a total of 8,810 students—3,063 in the Department of Basic English and 5,747 in the Department of Modern Languages—during the 2020–2021 academic year, the School of Foreign Languages is one of Yıldız Technical University’s largest units. The School of Foreign Languages has been providing education in its building on the Davutpaşa Campus since the 2004–2005 academic year. Yıldız Technical University’s vision is to be a national and international focal point for pioneering work in the fields of science, technology, social sciences, and engineering. Given that English has become a world language of primary importance and that Yıldız Technical University is dedicated to advancing education and research in science and technology fields where English is used, learning English will not only help Yıldız Technical University students broaden their horizons, it will also enable them to develop international relationships, expand their knowledge base, keep abreast of current developments, and contribute to their respective fields. Thanks to the English knowledge and skills they acquire during their studies at the School of Foreign Languages, students will become more responsible and self-confident individuals. In this context, the aim of the School of Foreign Languages’ academic programs is to ensure that students possess sufficient language skills to follow courses in their respective faculties, to educate them as productive individuals imbued with dynamism and contemporary engineering values as well as independent learners, and to enable them to compete not only at the national level but also on a global scale.
The institutional values adopted by Yıldız Technical University—of which the School of Foreign Languages is a part—in all decision-making and/or planning processes are as follows. Students First: They are the reason for our existence. Professionalism: Everything we do must exemplify the highest standards of quality and integrity in language instruction. Creativity: Our strength is built on our ability to respond to our students’ needs. Collaboration: By working together with our partners at Yıldız Technical University, we can provide our students with greater value and attention. Inclusivity: We believe that access to learning is essential, and we remain open-minded about students’ needs at all times. Accountability: We are accountable to our students, our partners, Yıldız Technical University and the maintenance of its academic standards, to one another, and to upholding the academic quality of the School of Foreign Languages.