IKCU SFL PDU member Lect. Dr. Ezgi Çetin conducted a fruitful session entitled 'Communicating Beyond Words: Practising Soft Skills in the Language Classroom'. During the session, lecturers gained insight into the term 'soft skills' through interactive hands-on activities and speculated on possible scenarios in EFL classes.

  The Independent Learning Center recently hosted a Coffee Talk for Intermediate students, led by Lect. Susan Johnson. The session, titled “Language and Culture in the Land of 10,000 Lakes – Minnesota”, introduced students to the culture of Minnesota and highlighted commonly used expressions unique to the region. Following the talk, students joined a lively Q & A session and a fun small group activity, where they practiced their English while exploring cultural differences in an engaging and interactive way. The event gave students both language practice and a deeper understanding of culture in one of America’s most distinctive states.

On Monday, April 13, 2025, the Independent Learning Center hosted an inspiring Coffee Talk titled “Female Figures in Art Nouveau”. The speaker, Ezgi Özgültekin, an art educator from Arkas Art Gallery, shared her knowledge and passion with intermediate-level students. Participants explored the role and representation of women in Art Nouveau art, discovering the connections between art, design, and society. The talk also gave students the chance to practice listening and speaking skills in an engaging, real-world context.

Second İzmir Universities Student Debate Held at İzmir University of Economics   The Second İzmir Universities Student Debate took place on April 2025 at İzmir University of Economics, bringing together prep school students from various universities for a day of discussion and exchange of ideas. Our school was represented by Rufina Ali, Ceren Koyun, Kerem Hıra, and Selim Zunluoğlu as the main participants, with Mutlu Gürsel serving as the substitute. Eren Katın, Yağmur Karataş, Esma Mutlu, and Ece Nur Altun also attended the event as audience members and supporters. We would like to thank our coaches, Lect. Büşra Kamaz and Lect. Nazlı Civelekoğlu, for their time and guidance in preparing the students. We also extend our thanks to our Director, Assist. Prof. Dr. İrfan Arık, for his support and presence during the event. We appreciate all our students for their participation and contribution to this enjoyable and meaningful experience.

In this week's PDU session, IKCU SFL hosted Reza Vahdani from Oxford University Press. Lecturers involved in testing have received a very fruitful training by working on item writing, analysis and test specifications.

On February 20, 2025, the Independent Learning Center (ILC) held the Movie Day featuring the animated film Inside Out 2. Pre-intermediate and intermediate students gathered at 2:00 p.m. to enjoy the screening and explore the emotions portrayed in the movie.

The Independent Learning Center held the second session of the Crochet & Conversation Club on October 14, 2025. Once again, the room was filled with creativity, conversation, and cups of tea as students continued working on their scarves while practicing English in a relaxed and friendly setting. The session brought together both returning and new participants, who enjoyed chatting with their teachers and classmates while improving their language skills naturally. The combination of hands-on activity and conversation made the club a cozy and enjoyable space for learning. The Crochet & Conversation Club will continue every Tuesday in October, with limited space for students who wish to join future sessions.

On 16th April, IKCU SFL PDU hosted Merve Bako from Oxford University Press to deliver a session on 'Using Online Platforms and AI in Classes'. SFL lecturers enjoyed being a part of an interactive and hands-on session where they had opportunities to discover new AI tools in English Language Teaching.

On 30th April 2025, IKCU SFL lecturers Esra Topaloğlu and Ömer Dağdelen delivered an informative session on E-TEP: Integration of Technology and Artificial Intelligence into English Proficiency Exams. In a vibrant atmosphere, the participants got valuable insights into the novelty of language proficiency exams conducted around the country.

Coffee Talk: Erasmus Experiences in Two Cities – Bremen & Prague at ILC On October 8, 2025, the Independent Learning Center held a Coffee Talk for Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate students. The session was led by Lect. Dr. Gizem Bolcal Er, who shared her Erasmus experiences in Bremen and Prague.

Vice Director of İzmir Katip Çelebi University School of Foreign Languages Lect. Burak Çavuş attended a key informative meeting focused on sharing institutional experiences regarding accreditation processes in higher education at Dumlupınar University School of Foreign Languages. Representing the IKCU SOFL, Burak Çavuş contributed to the session by presenting the university's journey, challenges, and successful practices in achieving and maintaining quality standards in language education. The presentation highlighted strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement efforts that supported the accreditation process. The meeting provided a valuable platform for mutual learning and collaboration among institutions, promoting best practices in quality assurance and institutional development.

Trivia Event Brings İzmir University Students Together at Yaşar University On May 6, 2025, Yaşar University hosted a lively Trivia Event with student teams from various universities across İzmir. İzmir Katip Çelebi University participated in the event along with our lecturers, joining other universities in this enjoyable knowledge-based competition. The event featured a range of fun questions, giving students the chance to test what they know, work as a team, and connect with peers in a relaxed setting. We thank our students and lecturers for representing our university in this engaging and collaborative event.

The 17th annual meeting of the School of Foreign Languages (SFL) Administrators from across Türkiye was held on 15–16 May 2025, hosted by Kocaeli University at the Baki Komsuoğlu Congress Center. The event brought together SFL directors, deputy directors, and university representatives nationwide. The first day of the program included an informative session on the “ÖSYM E-TEP Exam” presented by the project team online via Microsoft Teams. Throughout the day, various key topics were addressed, including accreditation requirements, survey result analysis, group workshops, report presentations, and best practice sharing. On the second day, the program continued with the presentation of working group reports, a plaque ceremony, candidate presentations for the 18th SFL Platform host institution, and the final selection. The event concluded with a field trip to Ormanya National Park. Representing İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Assist. Prof. Dr. İrfan ARIK, Director of the School of Foreign Languages, actively participated in the sessions, contributing to the exchange of ideas and experiences in the areas of innovation in language education, digitalization, AI integration, and quality enhancement in foreign language teaching.

Coffee Talk at ILC: A Friendly Dive into Minnesota’s Culture On September 30th, the Independent Learning Center hosted a special Coffee Talk session for Pre-Intermediate level students. The session, titled “Language and Culture in the Land of 10,000 Lakes – Minnesota”, was led by Lect. Susan Johnson. Students explored common expressions and cultural aspects unique to Minnesota through engaging discussions and fun small group activities. 

IKCU SFL Lecturers visited the University of Lisboa Faculdade de Letras and meet with Dr. Miguel Gomes (the head of the department and and Erasmus Coordinator), Dr. Marisa Salvador, the Managing Officer of Certification and Assessment, and Dr. Anabela Machado, the Managing Administrator of Academic Services to discuss Accreditation and Quality Processes and common practices among two institutions. However, presentation by Dr. Neslihan Köroğlu and meeting with Ana Maria Lóio, President of the Pedagogical Council, to discuss education quality practices and its specific purposes and methods delayed due to electricity cut off throughout the country to be scheduled online later. Two institutions agreed to keep in touch for mutual benefits and improve their relationships.

As part of our ongoing professional development activities, Lect. Didem Dağkıran and Lect. Dr. Ezgi Çetin, members of the Professional Development Unit at IKCU SFL, facilitated Reflective Group Meetings today for Pre-intermediate and Intermediate level lecturers. Held in two concurrent sessions, these meetings provided our instructors with an invaluable opportunity to share best practices from their classrooms, discuss challenges encountered in teaching and learning processes, reflect collaboratively to enhance teaching effectiveness and learner engagement. These sessions aimed to promote a culture of reflection, collaboration, and continuous growth among our teaching staff—key pillars of professional excellence at IKCU SFL. We extend our thanks to all participating lecturers for their active contributions and commitment to ongoing professional development.

On February 25, 2025, the Independent Learning Center welcomed Iza and Piotr Miklaszewscy from Poland. They traveled for four years, visiting 39 countries with their dog, Snupek. They talked about their adventures, crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a sailboat, and the environmental problems they saw. They have given over 350 talks and write books and blogs about travel. The event helped the students learn more about travel and why it is important to protect the environment. Independent Learning Center

IKCU SFL Professional Development Unit members Lect. Didem Dağkıran and Lect. Dr. Ezgi Çetin organized a reflective discussion meeting aimed at fostering collaborative learning and professional growth among instructors on 15th October 2025. During the session, teachers shared their best practices, reflected on what has been working well in their classrooms, and discussed the challenges they have encountered in their teaching contexts. The meeting provided a collegial and supportive atmosphere that encouraged open dialogue, self-reflection, and the exchange of practical ideas. Such reflective discussions not only promote continuous professional development but also contribute to building a stronger community of practice within the School of Foreign Languages.

The School of Foreign Languages at Izmir Katip Çelebi University (IKCU) hosted an information session for intermediate learners on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The talk, titled "What's Next? Making the Most of Your Katip Çelebi Experience," was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Levent Aydın, the university’s Project General Coordinator. The event took place in the Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall and aimed to familiarize students with essential aspects of university life.

The third session of the Crochet and Conversation Club was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Participants enjoyed another cozy afternoon of tea, crafting, and conversation. As the scarves grow longer, so does the students’ confidence in speaking English!