[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":329},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article-\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school\u002F":3,"article-others-\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school\u002F":261},{"id":4,"title":5,"alternates":6,"audio":10,"augments":10,"author":10,"body":11,"category":221,"date":222,"description":223,"episode":10,"extension":224,"faq":225,"image":238,"kind":239,"locale":240,"meta":241,"navigation":242,"path":243,"position":244,"rawbody":245,"seo":246,"series":10,"sources":247,"speakers":256,"stamp":257,"stem":258,"template":10,"unit":10,"updated":259,"url":8,"__hash__":260},"articles\u002Farticles\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school.md","What Is a Bilingual Primary School? 8 Questions to Ask Before You Choose",{"tr":7,"en":8,"ru":9},"\u002Fblog\u002Fiki-dilli-ilkokul-nedir-nasil-secilir\u002F","\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school\u002F","\u002Fru\u002Fblog\u002Fdvuyazychnaya-nachalnaya-shkola\u002F",null,{"type":12,"value":13,"toc":214},"minimark",[14,23,28,31,53,56,60,110,114,190,193,196],[15,16,17,18,22],"p",{},"A ",[19,20,21],"strong",{},"bilingual primary school"," teaches children regularly and intensively in a second language alongside their mother tongue. In a good programme, the second language is not just a subject but a language used for communication during the day. In this article you will find how bilingual programmes work in Turkish private schools, 8 questions to ask when choosing one, and the English programme at TED Üsküdar College Primary School.",[24,25,27],"h2",{"id":26},"how-do-bilingual-programmes-work-in-turkey","How do bilingual programmes work in Turkey?",[15,29,30],{},"Turkish private schools follow the Ministry of National Education (MEB) curriculum. A bilingual programme does not replace it; it is added to it:",[32,33,34,41,47],"ul",{},[35,36,37,40],"li",{},[19,38,39],{},"Extra English hours:"," far more weekly English lessons than the national curriculum requires.",[35,42,43,46],{},[19,44,45],{},"Content taught in English:"," some topics, for example in maths or science, are also taught in English.",[35,48,49,52],{},[19,50,51],{},"A language environment:"," native or highly proficient English teachers, English activities and reading programmes.",[15,54,55],{},"Core subjects such as Turkish, maths and life studies continue to be taught in Turkish by the class teacher.",[24,57,59],{"id":58},"_8-questions-to-ask","8 questions to ask",[61,62,63,69,74,80,86,92,98,104],"ol",{},[35,64,65,68],{},[19,66,67],{},"How many hours of English a week?"," Does it change by grade?",[35,70,71],{},[19,72,73],{},"Which subjects or topics are taught in English?",[35,75,76,79],{},[19,77,78],{},"Who teaches English?"," Are teachers subject specialists with teaching qualifications? Are there international teachers?",[35,81,82,85],{},[19,83,84],{},"In which language do children learn to read first, and how is phonics taught?"," Planning matters so that reading in two languages doesn't get mixed up.",[35,87,88,91],{},[19,89,90],{},"What level is targeted by the end of grade 4?"," Is the target expressed on a measurable scale such as the CEFR?",[35,93,94,97],{},[19,95,96],{},"Is there preparation for international exams?"," Is the school an exam centre?",[35,99,100,103],{},[19,101,102],{},"How is the mother tongue protected?"," Are there reading sessions, library use and Turkish activities?",[35,105,106,109],{},[19,107,108],{},"Where is English used outside lessons?"," Competitions, theatre, reading programmes, a digital reading platform?",[24,111,113],{"id":112},"english-at-ted-üsküdar-college-primary-school","English at TED Üsküdar College Primary School",[115,116,117,130],"table",{},[118,119,120],"thead",{},[121,122,123,127],"tr",{},[124,125,126],"th",{},"Question",[124,128,129],{},"TED Üsküdar College Primary School",[131,132,133,142,150,158,166,174,182],"tbody",{},[121,134,135,139],{},[136,137,138],"td",{},"Weekly English",[136,140,141],{},"12 hours a week in each of grades 1-4",[121,143,144,147],{},[136,145,146],{},"Teachers",[136,148,149],{},"Turkish and international teachers who are subject specialists with teaching qualifications",[121,151,152,155],{},[136,153,154],{},"Reading and writing",[136,156,157],{},"Phonics in grade 1; a digital reading platform supports reading outside school",[121,159,160,163],{},[136,161,162],{},"Target level",[136,164,165],{},"CEFR A1-A2 by the end of grade 4",[121,167,168,171],{},[136,169,170],{},"Exams",[136,172,173],{},"Preparation for Cambridge Starters and Movers in grades 3 and 4; the school is a Cambridge exam centre",[121,175,176,179],{},[136,177,178],{},"Turkish",[136,180,181],{},"Turkish, maths and life studies taught in Turkish by class teachers; one Turkish lesson a week in the library in grades 1-4",[121,183,184,187],{},[136,185,186],{},"Beyond lessons",[136,188,189],{},"Spelling Bee, Junior Knowledge Competition, Spring Fest, Puppet Theatre, Reading Heroes",[15,191,192],{},"English is the only foreign language taught in primary school. The aim is a solid foundation in the first foreign language and readiness for the second foreign language (German or French) that starts in middle school.",[15,194,195],{},"The English programme actually starts in preschool: 12 hours of English a week from age 4, and phonics from age 5.",[15,197,198,199,204,205,208,209,213],{},"For details, see the ",[200,201,203],"a",{"href":202},"\u002Fen\u002Fprimary-school\u002Flanguage-policy\u002F","Primary School Language Policy"," page. To visit the primary school: ",[19,206,207],{},"+90 216 424 44 44"," or the ",[200,210,212],{"href":211},"\u002Fen\u002Finformation-and-enrolment-application-form\u002F","information form",".",{"title":215,"searchDepth":216,"depth":216,"links":217},"",2,[218,219,220],{"id":26,"depth":216,"text":27},{"id":58,"depth":216,"text":59},{"id":112,"depth":216,"text":113},"Choosing a School","2026-10-04","What a bilingual primary programme means in a Turkish private school, how many hours of English are enough, how the mother tongue is protected and which exams children prepare for — with an 8-question checklist and the English programme at TED Üsküdar College Primary School.","md",[226,229,232,235],{"q":227,"a":228},"What is a bilingual primary school?","A primary programme in which children receive regular, intensive teaching in a second language (usually English) alongside their mother tongue, and use that language for communication, not only as a subject. In Turkey, private schools follow the national curriculum; a bilingual programme adds English hours and English-taught content on top of it.",{"q":230,"a":231},"How many hours of English a week should a primary school offer?","There is no single right number; the quality of the programme matters as much as the hours. At TED Üsküdar College Primary School, grades 1-4 have 12 hours of English a week, with CEFR A1-A2 as the target by the end of grade 4.",{"q":233,"a":234},"Does bilingual education hold back the mother tongue?","The programme should protect reading, writing and mother-tongue lessons. At TED Üsküdar, Turkish, maths and life studies are taught in Turkish by class teachers, and in grades 1-4 one Turkish lesson a week is a reading session in the library.",{"q":236,"a":237},"Which English exams do primary pupils prepare for?","At TED Üsküdar, pupils in grades 3 and 4 prepare for the Cambridge English Qualifications for young learners, Starters and Movers. The school is a Cambridge exam centre.","\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F01\u002F0E9A0464-min.jpg","blog","en",{},true,"\u002Farticles\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school","bottom","---\nkind: blog\nurl: \u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school\u002F\nlocale: en\ntitle: \"What Is a Bilingual Primary School? 8 Questions to Ask Before You Choose\"\ndescription: What a bilingual primary programme means in a Turkish private school, how many hours of English are enough, how the mother tongue is protected and which exams children prepare for — with an 8-question checklist and the English programme at TED Üsküdar College Primary School.\ndate: '2026-10-04'\nupdated: '2026-10-26'\ncategory: Choosing a School\nimage: \u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F01\u002F0E9A0464-min.jpg\nalternates:\n  tr: \u002Fblog\u002Fiki-dilli-ilkokul-nedir-nasil-secilir\u002F\n  en: \u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school\u002F\n  ru: \u002Fru\u002Fblog\u002Fdvuyazychnaya-nachalnaya-shkola\u002F\nfaq:\n  - q: What is a bilingual primary school?\n    a: A primary programme in which children receive regular, intensive teaching in a second language (usually English) alongside their mother tongue, and use that language for communication, not only as a subject. In Turkey, private schools follow the national curriculum; a bilingual programme adds English hours and English-taught content on top of it.\n  - q: How many hours of English a week should a primary school offer?\n    a: There is no single right number; the quality of the programme matters as much as the hours. At TED Üsküdar College Primary School, grades 1-4 have 12 hours of English a week, with CEFR A1-A2 as the target by the end of grade 4.\n  - q: Does bilingual education hold back the mother tongue?\n    a: The programme should protect reading, writing and mother-tongue lessons. At TED Üsküdar, Turkish, maths and life studies are taught in Turkish by class teachers, and in grades 1-4 one Turkish lesson a week is a reading session in the library.\n  - q: Which English exams do primary pupils prepare for?\n    a: At TED Üsküdar, pupils in grades 3 and 4 prepare for the Cambridge English Qualifications for young learners, Starters and Movers. The school is a Cambridge exam centre.\nsources:\n  - title: TED Üsküdar College — Primary School Language Policy\n    url: \u002Fen\u002Fprimary-school\u002Flanguage-policy\u002F\n  - title: TED Üsküdar College — International Programmes\n    url: \u002Fen\u002Finternational-programs\u002F\n  - title: Cambridge English — Qualifications for schools\n    url: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cambridgeenglish.org\u002Fexams-and-tests\u002Fqualifications\u002Fschools\u002F\n---\n\nA **bilingual primary school** teaches children regularly and intensively in a second language alongside their mother tongue. In a good programme, the second language is not just a subject but a language used for communication during the day. In this article you will find how bilingual programmes work in Turkish private schools, 8 questions to ask when choosing one, and the English programme at TED Üsküdar College Primary School.\n\n## How do bilingual programmes work in Turkey?\n\nTurkish private schools follow the Ministry of National Education (MEB) curriculum. A bilingual programme does not replace it; it is added to it:\n\n- **Extra English hours:** far more weekly English lessons than the national curriculum requires.\n- **Content taught in English:** some topics, for example in maths or science, are also taught in English.\n- **A language environment:** native or highly proficient English teachers, English activities and reading programmes.\n\nCore subjects such as Turkish, maths and life studies continue to be taught in Turkish by the class teacher.\n\n## 8 questions to ask\n\n1. **How many hours of English a week?** Does it change by grade?\n2. **Which subjects or topics are taught in English?**\n3. **Who teaches English?** Are teachers subject specialists with teaching qualifications? Are there international teachers?\n4. **In which language do children learn to read first, and how is phonics taught?** Planning matters so that reading in two languages doesn't get mixed up.\n5. **What level is targeted by the end of grade 4?** Is the target expressed on a measurable scale such as the CEFR?\n6. **Is there preparation for international exams?** Is the school an exam centre?\n7. **How is the mother tongue protected?** Are there reading sessions, library use and Turkish activities?\n8. **Where is English used outside lessons?** Competitions, theatre, reading programmes, a digital reading platform?\n\n## English at TED Üsküdar College Primary School\n\n| Question | TED Üsküdar College Primary School |\n|---|---|\n| Weekly English | 12 hours a week in each of grades 1-4 |\n| Teachers | Turkish and international teachers who are subject specialists with teaching qualifications |\n| Reading and writing | Phonics in grade 1; a digital reading platform supports reading outside school |\n| Target level | CEFR A1-A2 by the end of grade 4 |\n| Exams | Preparation for Cambridge Starters and Movers in grades 3 and 4; the school is a Cambridge exam centre |\n| Turkish | Turkish, maths and life studies taught in Turkish by class teachers; one Turkish lesson a week in the library in grades 1-4 |\n| Beyond lessons | Spelling Bee, Junior Knowledge Competition, Spring Fest, Puppet Theatre, Reading Heroes |\n\nEnglish is the only foreign language taught in primary school. The aim is a solid foundation in the first foreign language and readiness for the second foreign language (German or French) that starts in middle school.\n\nThe English programme actually starts in preschool: 12 hours of English a week from age 4, and phonics from age 5.\n\nFor details, see the [Primary School Language Policy](\u002Fen\u002Fprimary-school\u002Flanguage-policy\u002F) page. To visit the primary school: **+90 216 424 44 44** or the [information form](\u002Fen\u002Finformation-and-enrolment-application-form\u002F).\n",{"title":5,"description":223},[248,250,253],{"title":249,"url":202},"TED Üsküdar College — Primary School Language Policy",{"title":251,"url":252},"TED Üsküdar College — International Programmes","\u002Fen\u002Finternational-programs\u002F",{"title":254,"url":255},"Cambridge English — Qualifications for schools","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cambridgeenglish.org\u002Fexams-and-tests\u002Fqualifications\u002Fschools\u002F",[],false,"articles\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-a-bilingual-primary-school","2026-10-26","OL2vAkxv2FTp4iAWhlQM1b7TVu3HsUIbc0vuBErBLww",[262,267,270,274,278,282,286,287,291,295,298,302,305,308,312,316,319,322,325],{"url":263,"title":264,"date":265,"updated":10,"category":266},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fcommon-written-exam-system-oyss-explained\u002F","Common Written Exam System (OYSS) in Turkey and the 11-12 November National Exams","2026-11-08","School Life",{"url":268,"title":269,"date":265,"updated":10,"category":266},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fnovember-mid-term-break-rest-or-revision\u002F","November Mid-Term Break 2026 (16-20 November): Rest or Revision? 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