The Arabic Language Teaching Program, located within the Faculty of Education at Istanbul Aydın University, was established in the 2013–2014 academic year with the aim of training qualified Arabic language teachers to work in primary and secondary education institutions, and began accepting students in the same academic year. Since its inception, the program has been structured in line with the teacher training policies determined by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and contemporary educational understanding. In its founding year (2013–2014), the Arabic Language Teaching Program admitted students without a preparatory class; however, considering the decisive role of Arabic language proficiency in the teacher training process, the program structure was revised. In this context, starting from the Fall Semester of the 2014–2015 academic year, the Arabic Preparatory Class became mandatory, and students were required to successfully complete a one-year Arabic preparatory education or pass the Arabic Exemption Exam before beginning their undergraduate education. Although the annual student quota for the program has been set at 20, this quota may vary from year to year.
The course plan for the Arabic Language Teaching Program was developed based on the teacher training programs prepared by YÖK in 1999 and updated in 2006 during the establishment phase and has been implemented since the 2013–2014 academic year. Subsequently, the Education Faculty Program prepared by YÖK in 2017 was implemented in the 2018–2019 academic year.
The program is located on the 3rd floor of Building T at Istanbul Aydın University's Halit Aydın Campus. The program currently has 3 professors, 2 associate professors, and 1 research assistant; in addition, 3 faculty members from the Arabic Translation and Interpretation Department of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences contribute to the academic process by teaching courses in the Arabic Teacher Training Program. While the program's language of instruction is Turkish, some courses are conducted in Arabic due to the nature of the field. The Arabic Language Teaching Program was evaluated by EPDAD in the 2019–2020 academic year and subsequently accredited for the period 24.04.2021–24.04.2026 following an interim evaluation process.
Arabic Language Teaching Program adopts a comprehensive academic approach that integrates subject-matter knowledge, pedagogical competence, and practice-oriented instruction in the teaching of Arabic as a foreign language. The program is designed to enable students to use Modern Standard Arabic effectively while developing their language skills in accordance with contemporary language teaching methods and techniques. The curriculum maintains a balanced structure of theoretical and applied courses, supporting teacher candidates in gaining professional experience through classroom practice, micro-teaching activities, and teaching practicum.
The program places emphasis on the development of intercultural communication skills, the integration of contemporary instructional technologies into educational processes, and the acquisition of scientific research skills. Through this approach, graduates are trained as Arabic language teachers who are capable of designing instruction tailored to diverse learner profiles, committed to ethical principles, embracing lifelong learning, and equipped to work in both national and international educational settings.
