İleri İngilizce I — 11- 14 Week Course & Self-Study Book
Week 11 — Prepositions of Position
Goal: Students describe exactly where things and places are — in an office, a shop, a building or a map — give directions, and make recommendations.
Grammar — E-book Lesson 17
Preposition | Türkçe | Example |
next to / beside | yanında | The printer is next to the window. |
between | arasında | The bank is between the pharmacy and the café. |
in front of | önünde | There's a bus stop in front of the building. |
behind | arkasında | The car park is behind the hotel. |
opposite | karşısında | The metro station is opposite the mall. |
under / below | altında | The cables are under the desk. |
above / over | üstünde (temas etmeden) | There's a clock above the door. |
near / close to | yakınında | Is there an ATM near here? |
across from | karşı tarafında | The post office is across from the park. |
at the end of / on the corner of | sonunda / köşesinde | It's on the corner of Valikonağı Avenue. |
Giving directions: Go straight on. Turn left/right at the traffic lights. Take the second street on the left. It's on your right, opposite the bank.
Common mistakes: in front of the building (outside) vs. at the front of the room (inside). between the bank and the café (not with). near to here → near here.
Sentence Patterns 39–42 — Giving Advice
# | Pattern | Türkçe | Example |
39 | You might want to… | …mek isteyebilirsin | You might want to double-check that email. |
40 | I'd recommend… (+ -ing / noun) | …i tavsiye ederim | I'd recommend booking your tickets early. |
41 | If you ask me,… | Bana sorarsan,… | If you ask me, the blue one looks better. |
42 | It's worth… (+ -ing) | …meye değer | It's worth checking the reviews first. |
Watch out: I'd recommend to book ✗ → I'd recommend booking ✓. It's worth to visit ✗ → It's worth visiting ✓.
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verb | Türkçe | Example |
look up | (sözlükte/internette) bakmak | Look up any new words in the dictionary. |
write down | not almak, yazmak | Write down the address before you leave. |
sign up (for) | kaydolmak | I signed up for an online Excel course. |
log in / log out | giriş / çıkış yapmak | Log in with your student number. |
print out | çıktı almak | Can you print out the agenda for the meeting? |
Activity 1 — Reading: "Your First Day at the Office"
From: Hande (HR) · To: New interns · Subject: Welcome! Finding your way on Monday
Dear interns,
Welcome to the team! Here is some information to help you on your first day.
Our office is on Büyükdere Avenue, opposite the Levent metro station. When you come out of the station, take Exit 3. Our building is the tall glass one between a bank and a pharmacy. There is a security desk in front of the lifts. Show your ID and write down your name in the visitors' book.
Take the lift to the 7th floor. Reception is at the end of the corridor, next to the meeting rooms. Your desks are in the open-plan area behind reception. There's a locker under each desk for your personal things. The kitchen is across from the IT room, and the printer is next to the kitchen door.
Before Monday, please sign up for the online orientation and log in to the HR portal to complete your profile. If you ask me, it's worth doing this early, because the IT team needs your details to create your email account. You might want to print out this email, too.
I'd recommend arriving at 8:45, as the welcome breakfast starts at 9.
See you on Monday! Hande
Comprehension questions
Where exactly is the office building?
What must interns do at the security desk?
Where are the interns' desks?
What should they do before Monday, and why?
Why does Hande recommend arriving at 8:45?
Vocabulary
Word | Türkçe | Example |
intern | stajyer | We have three new interns this summer. |
exit | çıkış | Take Exit 2. |
security desk | güvenlik masası | Show your card at the security desk. |
lift (UK) / elevator (US) | asansör | The lift is out of order. |
corridor | koridor | The toilets are at the end of the corridor. |
locker | dolap (kilitli) | Leave your bag in your locker. |
personal things | kişisel eşyalar | Don't leave personal things on your desk. |
orientation | oryantasyon | The orientation lasts two days. |
portal | portal | Download your payslip from the portal. |
profile | profil | Please update your profile photo. |
Activity 2 — Grammar Practice
Complete with a preposition of position. Use each once: next to, between, in front of, behind, opposite, under, above, near, at the end of, across from.
The car is parked ___ the house, so you can't see it from the street.
Your bag is ___ the table, on the floor.
There's a big map ___ the whiteboard.
The metro station is ___ the mall — just cross the road.
Toilets are ___ the corridor, on the left.
Sit ___ me so we can share the book.
Is there a supermarket ___ here?
The pharmacy is ___ the bank and the bakery.
A taxi stopped ___ the hotel entrance.
The post office is ___ the park.
Writing Task
Write an email (80–100 words) to a new student or colleague explaining how to find your classroom or office from the nearest metro or bus stop. Use at least 6 prepositions of position, 2 directions, and one advice pattern (I'd recommend… / It's worth… / You might want to…).
Discussion Questions
Describe where your home is. What is near it, opposite it, next to it?
Describe your classroom: what's at the front, at the back, next to the door?
What's the best place to eat near the university? How do you get there?
If a tourist asked you for directions to Taksim, what would you say?
What's worth visiting in your hometown?
What online course would you recommend to a business student?
Have you ever signed up for something and never used it?
Do you write things down or keep everything on your phone?
If you ask me, … (give your opinion about the best area to live in Istanbul).
What advice would you give a new intern on their first day?
Interactive Practice — Map Info-Gap + Advice Clinic
Part A — Info-gap (12 min): Pairs. The teacher draws a simple street map on the board with 10 empty boxes. Student A gets a card with 5 places (bank, pharmacy, metro, café, hotel); Student B gets a card with 5 different places (post office, gym, bakery, library, car park). Without showing their cards, they ask and answer until both know where all 10 places are.
"Where's the bank?" — "It's on the corner, opposite the metro station, next to the pharmacy."
Then each student gives their partner directions from the metro station to one place: "Go straight on, turn left at the bakery, and it's on your right, between the gym and the library."
Part B — Advice Clinic (8 min): Groups of 3. One student reads a problem card; the other two give advice using patterns 39–42.
"I'm always late for my 9 a.m. class."
"I want to learn Excel, but I have no money."
"I'm visiting Istanbul for one day. What should I see?"
"I'm nervous about my first internship."
"You might want to… / I'd recommend… / If you ask me,… / It's worth…"
Self-study version: Describe the route from your home to university in 8 sentences.
Extra Practice
Lingua reading (B2): Numbers — a trip to buy furniture; draw where things are.
News in Levels: in a Level 2 article about a place, find every preposition of place.
Listening: British Council A2 listening — choose one about directions.
Self-Study Path — Week 11
Grammar (25 min): Draw a simple map of your street and write 8 sentences describing it.
Patterns & phrasal verbs (20 min): Give advice to a friend using each pattern.
Reading (30 min): Read the email and draw the 7th floor plan.
Practice & writing (30 min): 10 items, then your directions email.
Discussion (20 min): Record your answers.
Extra (15 min): Lingua text.
Can-do check
I can describe where things are using 10 prepositions.
I can give directions from a metro station.
I use recommend / worth + -ing.
Sample Answers — Week 11
Reading
On Büyükdere Avenue, opposite Levent metro station, between a bank and a pharmacy.
Show their ID and write their name in the visitors' book.
In the open-plan area behind reception on the 7th floor.
Sign up for the online orientation and complete their profile on the HR portal, because IT needs their details to create email accounts.
Because the welcome breakfast starts at 9.
Grammar practice: 1. behind · 2. under · 3. above · 4. opposite · 5. at the end of · 6. next to · 7. near · 8. between · 9. in front of · 10. across from
Model writing
Hi Arda,Here's how to find our classroom on Monday. Take the M2 metro and get off at Osmanbey. Use the exit next to the bakery. Turn left and walk straight on for about three minutes. Our building is the white one opposite a big pharmacy, between a café and a bookshop. Go in, take the lift to the 4th floor, and our classroom, 405, is at the end of the corridor, next to the library. I'd recommend arriving ten minutes early, because the lift is always busy.See you there! Yasemin
Discussion
My flat is near the coast. There's a small park opposite it and a supermarket next to it.
The whiteboard is at the front, there are lockers at the back, and the teacher's desk is next to the door.
A small döner place behind the main building. You go out of the back gate and turn right.
I'd say, "Take the metro to Taksim and use the Gezi Park exit. The square is in front of you."
In Trabzon, it's worth visiting Uzungöl and the Sümela Monastery.
I'd recommend a free Excel course. Every company uses Excel.
Yes, I signed up for a gym and went only three times!
I write important things down in a notebook. I remember them better that way.
If you ask me, Kadıköy is the best area. It's lively, but it isn't as expensive as Nişantaşı.
You might want to write down everyone's name, and it's worth asking questions instead of guessing.
Week 12 — Conjunctions: And, But, Or, So, Because
Goal: Students join ideas into longer, clearer sentences and paragraphs, explain causes and results, and compare or focus on a topic in a more formal way.
Grammar — E-book Lesson 18
Conjunction | Use | Example |
and | add information | We sell online and in our shop. |
but | contrast | The product is good, but it's expensive. |
or | choice / alternative | You can pay by card or in cash. |
so | result | The printer broke, so we sent the report by email. |
because | reason | We sent it by email because the printer broke. |
so vs because: It was raining, so I took a taxi (result) = I took a taxi because it was raining (reason).
Comma before but and so when joining two full sentences: I applied, but they didn't reply.
Step up (B1): however (contrast, new sentence), also (add), because of + noun (because of the traffic), although (contrast in one sentence).
Common mistakes: Because I was tired. (alone ✗ — needs a main clause) → I left early because I was tired. ✓. I was tired, because of I left ✗ → because I left / because of the long day ✓.
Sentence Patterns 43–46
# | Pattern | Türkçe | Example |
43 | Compared to… | …ile karşılaştırıldığında | Compared to last year, sales have increased. |
44 | As far as… (I know / I remember) | …kadarıyla | As far as I know, the meeting is at 3 p.m. |
45 | As far as… is concerned,… | …söz konusu olduğunda,… | As far as the budget is concerned, we need to cut costs. |
46 | Be careful with… | …konusunda dikkatli ol | Be careful with your words when a customer is angry. |
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verb | Türkçe | Example |
break down | bozulmak (makine) | The delivery van broke down on the highway. |
cut down on | azaltmak | We need to cut down on printing costs. |
keep up with | ayak uydurmak, yetişmek | It's hard to keep up with all the new apps. |
run into | (birine) rastlamak; (soruna) girmek | We ran into some problems with the supplier. |
take over | devralmak | She took over the shop when her father retired. |
Activity 1 — Reading: "A Family Business Changes Hands"
Hasan opened a small hardware store in Üsküdar in 1995. For 25 years, the shop was busy, because there weren't many other hardware stores in the area. But compared to the 1990s, things are very different today. Big DIY chains opened nearby, and customers started buying online, so Hasan's sales fell every year.
In 2022, his daughter Leyla took over the business. She had a degree in business administration, but she had no experience in hardware. "As far as I knew, a hammer was a hammer," she laughs. She ran into problems in the first month: the old computer broke down, and many suppliers only took orders by phone or fax.
Leyla made three big changes. First, she opened an online shop, and she started posting short repair videos on Instagram. Second, she cut down on products that nobody bought, so the shop had more space and less dead stock. Third, she offered a delivery service for older customers, because many of them couldn't carry heavy things.
"As far as profit is concerned, we're doing better than ever," Leyla says. "But you have to be careful with online sales. Delivery costs can be high, so you need to check your prices often." Her father still comes to the shop every morning. "He can't keep up with the technology," she says, "but nobody knows the customers better than him."
Comprehension questions
Why was the shop busy for 25 years?
Why did sales fall?
What problems did Leyla run into in the first month?
What three changes did she make?
What warning does Leyla give about online sales?
Vocabulary
Word | Türkçe | Example |
hardware store | hırdavatçı | I bought screws at the hardware store. |
DIY (do it yourself) | kendin yap | DIY stores sell paint and tools. |
chain | zincir (mağaza) | It's a big supermarket chain. |
fall (sales fell) | düşmek | Prices fell last month. |
degree | diploma, derece | She has a degree in economics. |
experience | deneyim | Do you have experience in sales? |
dead stock | satılmayan stok | We sold our dead stock at a discount. |
delivery service | teslimat hizmeti | We offer a free delivery service. |
profit | kâr | The company made a profit this year. |
retire | emekli olmak | My father retired last year. |
Activity 2 — Grammar Practice
Complete with and, but, or, so, because (or because of).
The shop is small, ___ it has everything you need.
I missed the bus, ___ I was late for work.
Would you like tea ___ coffee?
We cancelled the meeting ___ the manager was ill.
She speaks English ___ German.
The flight was delayed ___ the bad weather.
The price was high, ___ the quality was excellent.
Sales fell, ___ we cut down on costs.
___ last year, prices are 20% higher.
As far as the schedule is ___, nothing has changed.
Writing Task
Write a paragraph (100–120 words) about a business you know (a family shop, a café, a brand) and how it has changed. Use and, but, or, so, because at least once each, plus Compared to… and one phrasal verb from this week.
Discussion Questions
Compared to 10 years ago, how has shopping changed in Turkey?
Would you like to take over a family business? Why or why not?
What should small shops do to keep up with online stores?
What do you want to cut down on this year (sugar, screen time, spending)?
Have you ever run into an old friend unexpectedly? Where?
As far as you know, what is the most popular job among your classmates?
As far as money is concerned, are students today better or worse off?
What should you be careful with when you shop online?
Is it better to work for a family business or a big company? Why?
Your phone breaks down before an important exam. What do you do?
Interactive Practice — Business Makeover
Setup (20 min): Groups of 4. Each group gets a struggling business card:
A bookshop — customers buy online now.
A taxi company — people use apps instead.
A small restaurant — a big chain opened next door.
A photo studio — everyone takes photos with their phones.
A clothes shop — sales fell 40% compared to last year.
Task (10 min): Plan 3 changes to save the business, like Leyla in the reading. For each change, give a reason (because) and a result (so).
Present (2 min per group): "Compared to last year, sales are 40% lower, because customers shop online. So, first, we'll open an Instagram shop, and second, we'll cut down on… But we have to be careful with delivery costs."
Question time: Other groups ask one tough question each: "What will you do if a customer runs into a problem with delivery?" The class votes for the best plan.
Language: and / but / or / so / because / because of / Compared to… / As far as… is concerned / Be careful with…
Self-study version: Write the 3-change plan for one business (100 words).
Extra Practice
Lingua reading (B2): Jobs and Professions — find 5 sentences with and, but, so, because.
News in Levels: summarise a Level 3 business or technology story in 3 sentences using but, so, because.
Listening: British Council B1 listening.
Self-Study Path — Week 12
Grammar (25 min): Write 10 pairs of sentences, then join each pair with a conjunction.
Patterns & phrasal verbs (20 min): One personal sentence each.
Reading (30 min): Read, answer, check. Highlight every conjunction.
Practice & writing (30 min): 10 items, then your paragraph.
Discussion (20 min): Record your answers.
Final prep (15 min): Start reviewing Weeks 9–11.
Can-do check
I use so for results and because for reasons.
I never start a sentence with Because and stop.
I can compare past and present with Compared to…
Sample Answers — Week 12
Reading
Because there weren't many other hardware stores in the area.
Big DIY chains opened nearby and customers started buying online.
The old computer broke down, and many suppliers only took orders by phone or fax.
She opened an online shop with Instagram repair videos, cut down on products nobody bought, and offered delivery for older customers.
Be careful — delivery costs can be high, so check your prices often.
Grammar practice: 1. but · 2. so · 3. or · 4. because · 5. and · 6. because of · 7. but · 8. so · 9. Compared to · 10. concerned
Model writing
My uncle has a small bakery in Bursa. Compared to ten years ago, it is much busier now, but the work is also harder. In the past, he only sold bread and simit, so most customers were neighbours. Today he also sells cakes and coffee, because young people like to sit and work there. He took over the shop from my grandfather in 2015, and he made the shop brighter and more modern. He sometimes runs into problems with staff, because it's hard to find good bakers. Customers can now order online or call the shop, and he delivers to nearby offices.
Discussion
Compared to ten years ago, people shop online much more, and they compare prices before they buy.
Maybe. My family has a small textile shop. It's a good opportunity, but I'd like to work somewhere else first.
They should open an Instagram account and offer something online stores can't, like personal service.
I want to cut down on screen time. I use my phone for about seven hours a day.
Yes, I ran into my primary school teacher at the airport. She still remembered my name!
As far as I know, most of my classmates want to work in marketing or banking.
As far as money is concerned, I think it's harder now because rent and food are very expensive.
Be careful with fake websites and very cheap prices, and always check the reviews.
A family business is more flexible and personal, but a big company offers better training and career paths.
I'd borrow a friend's phone to check the exam information, and I'd go to the university early.
Week 13 — The Different Uses of "Get"
Goal: Students understand and use get — the most flexible verb in spoken English — in its main meanings and phrasal verbs, and express certainty and uncertainty.
Grammar — E-book Lesson 20
Meaning | Structure | Example |
receive | get + thing | I got an email from HR. |
buy / obtain | get + thing | Can you get some milk on the way home? |
arrive | get + to / home / here / there | What time did you get to the office? I got home late. |
become | get + adjective | It's getting cold. She got angry. Prices are getting higher. |
understand | get + it / the joke | Sorry, I don't get it. |
move / travel | get + in / out / on / off | Get in the car. Get off at the next stop. |
have something done | get + object + past participle | I got my laptop repaired. |
passive (informal) | get + past participle | He got promoted. They got married. |
Common mistakes: get to home ✗ → get home ✓ (no to before home / here / there). I'm getting tire ✗ → tired ✓.
Sentence Patterns 47–50 — Certainty and Uncertainty
# | Pattern | Türkçe | Example |
47 | No matter what… | Ne olursa olsun… | No matter what happens, I'll support you. |
48 | No wonder… | Şaşmamalı ki… | No wonder he's tired — he worked all night. |
49 | I have no idea… | Hiç fikrim yok… | I have no idea where he went. |
50 | I bet… | Bahse girerim ki… | I bet she'll be late again. |
Phrasal Verbs with "Get"
Review: get up, get back to, get along with, get on, get off (Weeks 1, 6, 10).
Activity 1 — Reading: "Getting Ahead"
When Burak got his first job at a logistics company, his English was weak. He could get by in simple conversations, but he got nervous when foreign clients called. One day, a German customer phoned with an urgent problem. Burak didn't get what she was saying, and he had no idea how to help her. "No wonder you're stressed," his manager said later. "You need better English to get ahead here."
Burak decided to change. He got a subscription to an online English course and got up an hour earlier every morning to study. He listened to news podcasts on the metro and got rid of the social media apps on his phone. "No matter what happens, I'll study every day," he promised himself.
It wasn't easy. Some weeks he was very tired, and once he got the flu and couldn't study for ten days. But he got over it and continued. After six months, his English was getting much better. He started answering emails from foreign clients without help, and he got through his first video meeting in English.
Last month, Burak got promoted to international sales coordinator. "I bet you're happy," his friend said. "Of course," Burak answered. "But I'm not stopping now. Next year I want to get my IELTS certificate."
Comprehension questions
What happened when the German customer called?
What did Burak's manager tell him?
Name three things Burak did to improve his English.
What problem did he have during his studies?
What happened last month, and what is his next goal?
Vocabulary
Word | Türkçe | Example |
logistics | lojistik | She works for a logistics company. |
urgent | acil | This is urgent — please call me back. |
stressed | stresli | I feel stressed before exams. |
subscription | abonelik | I have a Netflix subscription. |
podcast | podcast | I listen to a business podcast every day. |
promise | söz vermek | She promised to call me. |
continue | devam etmek | Please continue with your work. |
promote (get promoted) | terfi etmek | He got promoted after two years. |
coordinator | koordinatör | She's the event coordinator. |
certificate | sertifika | I got a certificate for the course. |
Activity 2 — Grammar Practice
Replace get with a more specific verb (receive, buy, arrive, become, understand), or complete the phrasal verb.
I got a message from my manager. → ___
What time did you get to the airport? → ___
It's getting dark. → ___
Sorry, I don't get the question. → ___
Can you get some bread? → ___
It took me a month to get ___ the breakup.
We need to get ___ of these old files.
Students often get ___ on very little money.
Correct the mistake: "I got to home at 11."
No ___ he passed — he studied every day.
Writing Task
Write 100–120 words about a time you overcame a difficulty (an exam, an illness, a move, a new job). Use get in at least 5 different ways and two patterns from this week (No matter what… / No wonder… / I have no idea… / I bet…).
Discussion Questions
What time do you usually get home? How do you get there?
What's the best thing you got for your birthday?
What makes you get angry or nervous?
How do you get over a bad day?
What do you need to get rid of in your room or on your phone?
Can students get by on a part-time salary in Istanbul?
What helps people get ahead in their careers in Turkey?
I bet you can't guess what I had for breakfast. Try!
What will you do no matter what happens in the future?
Have you ever had no idea what to say? What happened?
Interactive Practice — "Get" Speed Chat + I Bet Game
Part A — Speed chat (12 min): Two lines of students face each other. Every 2 minutes, the teacher calls out a question and one line moves one place. Each pair answers in full sentences using get.
What time do you usually get home?
What makes you get nervous?
What's the best present you ever got?
How do you get over a bad day?
What do you want to get rid of?
How can a young person get ahead in Turkey?
Part B — "I Bet…" guessing game (8 min): Each student writes 3 facts about themselves on a paper (one is false). In groups, others guess: "I bet you've never been to Ankara." "No wonder you're tired — you work at night!" "I have no idea which one is false!" The writer reveals the false fact.
Self-study version: Write 6 sentences with 6 different meanings of get and say them aloud.
Extra Practice
Lingua reading (B1): Letter to a Friend — a semester abroad; find every use of get.
News in Levels: in a Level 3 article, find get or become and explain its meaning.
Vocabulary: Basic English Speaking – phrasal verbs — learn 5 more phrasal verbs with get.
Self-Study Path — Week 13
Grammar (25 min): Write one sentence for each meaning of get in the table.
Patterns & phrasal verbs (20 min): One personal sentence each.
Reading (30 min): Read and underline every get; write its meaning above it.
Practice & writing (30 min): 10 items, then your paragraph.
Discussion (20 min): Record your answers.
Final prep (15 min): Review all 60 phrasal verbs.
Can-do check
I know 6 meanings of get.
I say get home, not get to home.
I can use No wonder and I bet in conversation.
Sample Answers — Week 13
Reading
Burak didn't understand her and had no idea how to help.
He needed better English to get ahead.
Online course, getting up an hour earlier, news podcasts on the metro, deleting social media apps (any three).
He got the flu and couldn't study for ten days.
He got promoted to international sales coordinator; next he wants an IELTS certificate.
Grammar practice: 1. received · 2. arrive · 3. becoming · 4. understand · 5. buy · 6. over · 7. rid · 8. by · 9. "I got home at 11." · 10. wonder
Model writing
Last year I moved from Erzurum to Istanbul for university. At first it was very hard. I got lost on the metro every day, and I got really homesick. I had no idea how to make new friends in such a big city. I got by on very little money because rent was so expensive. No matter what happened, though, I called my mother every evening, and that helped me get through the first months. Slowly, things got better. I got a part-time job at a café and made friends with my colleagues. I bet I wouldn't recognise my nervous first-year self now!
Discussion
I usually get home at about 7. I take the metro and then walk for ten minutes.
A watch from my grandfather. It's old, but it's the most special thing I have.
I get nervous before presentations, and I get angry when people are late without telling me.
I go for a walk by the sea and listen to music. The next day I usually feel better.
I need to get rid of about 2,000 old photos on my phone. It's always full!
It's very difficult. You can get by if you live with your family, but rent is too expensive alone.
English, a good network and experience. Internships help you get ahead quickly.
I bet you think it was simit — and you're right!
No matter what happens, I'll keep learning and stay close to my family.
Yes, in a job interview they asked me about a software program I'd never used. I said honestly that I didn't know it but I was a fast learner.
Week 14 — Final Review
Goal: Review the whole course — all 20 grammar lessons, 50 patterns and 60 phrasal verbs — with extra focus on Weeks 9–13, and prepare for the final exam.
What the final covers (Weeks 9–13, plus the whole course)
Week | Grammar | Patterns | Phrasal verbs |
9 | Comparatives & superlatives | 30–34 | come across, turn out, end up, back up, fall behind |
10 | At, in, on (time & place) | 35–38 | show up, drop by, drop off, get on, get off |
11 | Prepositions of position | 39–42 | look up, write down, sign up, log in, print out |
12 | Conjunctions | 43–46 | break down, cut down on, keep up with, run into, take over |
13 | Uses of get | 47–50 | get over, get through, get ahead, get rid of, get by |
Top 10 mistakes to avoid (second half)
more cheaper → cheaper
the most good → the best
bigger from → bigger than
in Monday / at the morning → on Monday / in the morning
in the 3rd floor → on the 3rd floor
I'd recommend to book → I'd recommend booking
It's worth to visit → It's worth visiting
Because I was tired. (alone) → I left because I was tired.
get to home → get home
between the bank with the café → between the bank and the café
Reading — "Five Years Later"
Five years ago, Melis was a nervous first-year student at a university in Istanbul. Today, she is a marketing coordinator at an international cosmetics company in Levent. Last week, she came back to her old university to speak to business students about her career. Here is part of her talk.
"When I started university, my English was much weaker than my classmates'. I could get by in simple conversations, but I got very nervous in presentations. I remember my first presentation in English: I forgot half of my words, and I had no idea what to say. That was the worst day of my first year.
So I made a plan. Every morning, I read one news article in English on the metro, and I wrote down five new words in a notebook. I signed up for the university's English club, and on Thursdays we met in a small room on the third floor of the library. Compared to my classmates, I wasn't the most talented student, but I was probably the most consistent.
In my third year, I got an internship at a small advertising agency. It was harder than I expected, because everything was fast, and the clients were very demanding. But I learned more there than anywhere else. If you ask me, it's worth doing an internship as early as possible, even if it's unpaid.
My advice? First, don't compare yourself with others — compare yourself with the person you were last year. Second, be careful with your time: it's easy to fall behind, but it's hard to catch up. And third, no matter what happens, keep learning. I bet some of you are nervous about your English right now. No wonder — I was too. But if I could get through it, so can you."
Comprehension questions
What is Melis's job now, and where does she work?
What was her biggest problem in her first year?
What did she do every morning to improve?
Where and when did the English club meet?
Why does Melis think internships are worth doing?
What are her three pieces of advice?
Vocabulary
Word | Türkçe | Example |
coordinator | koordinatör | She works as a project coordinator. |
cosmetics | kozmetik | The cosmetics industry is growing fast. |
career | kariyer | He wants a career in finance. |
talented | yetenekli | She's a very talented designer. |
consistent | istikrarlı, tutarlı | Consistent practice is the key. |
demanding | zor beğenen, talepkâr | Our clients are very demanding. |
unpaid | ücretsiz (maaşsız) | It was an unpaid internship. |
compare | karşılaştırmak | Don't compare yourself with others. |
advice | tavsiye | Thank you for your advice. |
keep learning | öğrenmeye devam etmek | No matter how old you are, keep learning. |
Activity 1 — Mock Final (20 questions)
Choose the correct answer.
My new phone is ___ than my old one. — A) more fast B) faster C) fastest D) more faster
It's ___ restaurant in the city. — A) the best B) the most good C) better D) best
The meeting is ___ Friday ___ 3 p.m. — A) in / at B) on / in C) on / at D) at / on
Our office is ___ the fifth floor. — A) in B) at C) on D) to
The bank is ___ the pharmacy and the café. — A) between B) next C) opposite D) among
I'd recommend ___ early. — A) to arrive B) arrive C) arriving D) arrived
It was raining, ___ I took a taxi. — A) because B) so C) but D) or
We cancelled the trip ___ the storm. — A) because B) because of C) so D) but
What time did you get ___? — A) to home B) at home C) home D) in home
She got ___ after two years. — A) promote B) promoting C) promoted D) promotes
___ last year, sales are higher. — A) Compare B) Compared to C) Comparing D) As far as
I'm sorry to ___ you, but could you sign this? — A) bother B) bothering C) bothered D) disturb to
What would you do if you ___ the lottery? — A) win B) won C) will win D) winning
I see your point, ___ I still disagree. — A) so B) because C) but D) or
The cheap laptop turned ___ to be very good. — A) up B) off C) out D) in
Please sign ___ for the course before Friday. — A) in B) up C) on D) off
Our van broke ___ on the highway. — A) down B) up C) off D) out
We need to get ___ of these old files. — A) over B) by C) rid D) through
No ___ she's tired — she worked all night. — A) matter B) idea C) wonder D) bet
You might want to ___ the email again. — A) check B) checking C) to check D) checked
Activity 2 — Whole-Course Pattern Review
Can you complete each pattern from memory? How about …? / I'm looking forward to … / I was wondering if you could … / I'd appreciate it if you could … / I'm thinking about … / As soon as … / I should have … / I see your point, but … / It's worth … / As far as … is concerned … / No matter what …
Write one sentence about your own life for each.
Writing Task (exam practice)
In 120–150 words, write a report for your manager comparing two suppliers, offices or software options. Say where they are, compare price and quality, give reasons with because / so / but, and make a recommendation with I'd recommend…
Discussion Questions (course reflection)
Compared to the start of the semester, how has your English changed?
Which grammar topic was the most difficult for you? How did you get over it?
Which sentence pattern do you use the most now?
What would you recommend to a student starting this course?
What will you do to keep up with your English during the holidays?
Where and when do you study best?
What should you have done differently this semester?
What are you looking forward to next semester?
Describe the best and the worst moment of this course.
No matter what happens, what is one English goal you will achieve next year?
Interactive Practice — "My Journey" Mini Talks
Setup (25 min): Like Melis in the reading, each student gives a 2-minute talk to a group of 4 about their own English journey this semester.
Plan (5 min): Write 5 key words only (no full sentences). Include: where you started, what was difficult, what helped, how you've changed, your next goal.
Talk (2 min each): Use at least 3 patterns and 2 phrasal verbs from the course. "Compared to September… / I should have… / I'm looking forward to… / I got over… / I'd recommend…"
Questions (1 min each): Listeners ask follow-up questions: "What would you do differently if you started again?"
Feedback: Listeners give one compliment and one correction.
Final class round: Each group chooses its best talk, and that student gives it to the whole class.
Self-study version: Record your 2-minute talk and compare it with your Week 1 discussion answers.
Self-Study Path — Week 14
Review (45 min): Redo every Grammar Practice from Weeks 9–13 without looking at the answers.
Patterns (20 min): Cover the English and say all 50 patterns from their Turkish meanings.
Phrasal verbs (20 min): Make flashcards for all 60 and test yourself.
Mock final (20 min): 20 questions in 15 minutes, then check.
Writing (30 min): Write the report and check it against both Top 10 lists.
Reflection (15 min): Answer the discussion questions aloud.
Can-do check
I scored 16/20 or more on the mock final.
I can say all 50 patterns from their Turkish meaning.
I know the meaning of all 60 phrasal verbs.
I can write a 150-word report without the Top 10 mistakes.
Sample Answers — Week 14
Reading
She is a marketing coordinator at an international cosmetics company in Levent.
Her English was weaker than her classmates', and she got very nervous in presentations.
She read one English news article on the metro and wrote down five new words.
In a small room on the third floor of the library, on Thursdays.
Because she learned more there than anywhere else, even though it was hard.
Don't compare yourself with others; be careful with your time; keep learning no matter what happens.
Mock final: 1. B · 2. A · 3. C · 4. C · 5. A · 6. C · 7. B · 8. B · 9. C · 10. C · 11. B · 12. A · 13. B · 14. C · 15. C · 16. B · 17. A · 18. C · 19. C · 20. A
Model writing
Report: Choosing a new coffee supplierWe compared two suppliers for our café: Anatolia Coffee and BeanHouse. Anatolia Coffee is in Ümraniye, near our main shop, so deliveries are faster. BeanHouse is in Gebze, which is much further away.BeanHouse is cheaper than Anatolia Coffee — about 15% less per kilo — but its coffee is not as fresh, because it travels longer. Anatolia Coffee is more expensive, but it has the best reviews of all the suppliers we checked, and they offer free training for our baristas.Compared to our current supplier, both companies are more reliable. As far as quality is concerned, however, Anatolia Coffee is clearly better.I'd recommend choosing Anatolia Coffee. It costs a little more, but our customers will notice the quality, so I believe sales will increase.
Discussion
Compared to September, I write much more accurately. I make fewer mistakes with articles and prepositions.
Articles were the hardest, because Turkish doesn't have them. I got over it by reading News in Levels every day.
"I was wondering if you could…" — I use it in emails to my teachers all the time.
I'd recommend doing a little every day, and it's worth keeping a notebook of patterns.
I'll read one News in Levels article a day and write three sentences about it.
I study best in the library in the morning, because it's quiet and I'm fresh.
I should have done the self-study path every week, not only before the exams.
I'm looking forward to more business English, especially writing reports and emails.
The best moment was when I understood a whole news article without a dictionary. The worst was the midterm — I was very nervous.
No matter what happens, I'll reach B2 level and take the IELTS next year.
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