I met Mr. İzzet Akın in 2000 and had the privilege to share classes with him both at Marmara University and at Doğuş University. As an English instructor, he exceeds traditional ways of teaching and autonomously uses unique strategies along with communicative and interactive teaching methods for his students’ acquirement of both receptive and productive skills. Mr. Akın has a thoroughly internalized knowledge of English –as a qualified native speaker- and an amazing ability to pass his knowledge to learners at all levels. Having had the chance to share classes with him at all levels, I may unhesitatingly declare that his students, colleagues and administrators not only appreciate Mr. Akın’s motivating, unique, devoted teaching style but also benefit from it to a considerable extent.

Mr. Akın also has such an imaginative and witty mind with an astoundingly wide range of vocabulary that he has the ability to create an authentic English-speaking atmosphere in speaking classes where a variety of spoken registers –such as formal, informal, colloquial language uses- are brought into the classroom and students are expected to gain awareness of how these registers are used distinctively in various real-life situations. Mr. Akın’s use of integrated skills lets his students benefit from this authentically designed, culture-oriented classroom environment as he teaches other skills as well.

I wholeheartedly believe that his academic and pedagogical expertise, tolerant personality, experience in teaching besides his supportive and sociable character make him qualified also for any administrative position in teaching.

In terms of professional ethics, Mr. Akın has an utterly humanist view wherein his colleagues and students are regarded by him as cherishable individuals and precious partners.

Had it not been for Mr. Akın’s partnership, I would presently lack some of the academic and pedagogical qualities I possess especially on the teaching of speaking skills and vocabulary. I recommend him for any academic post related to English teaching.

BaÅŸak Ergil

Formerly English teacher,
presently Translation Studies scholar and researcher
(PhD student)

Contact info:
basakergil@hotmail.com

I met Mr.Akın at Doğuş University in September in 2009 so we have known each other since then/ever since.He has become my instructor two times up to now/so far.Firstly in Foundation,then in Upper-Intermediate.I was lucky to have had a teacher like him.Yet/But/However,I did not understand his value at the first place.After I finished the first quarter of the prep department and moved to my Intermediate class,I realized/noticed how an important and also sophisticated/well-educated teacher had he been.In fact/Actually we can understand it from my classmates of Intermediate because most/majority of them were/used to be my classmates from Foundation.I have been getting one of the staller performances from the exams thanks to him.The marks I have got(ten) up to now are related to/about/concerning his lessons.He always/constantly does something different in/during his lessons such as/namely; teaching synonyms,antonyms,prefixes and suffixes of words.In addition to this,his students/pupils learn some idioms that they can come across in daily spoken English.Moreover/Furthermore,he teaches how you can give the same meaning with other grammer structures.Not only do his students learn them,but also how a word changes the meaning of the sentences.For instance/For example/To illustrate,I speak English well and I speak a good English.If one wants/would like/wishes to be interpreter/translator,I would recommend him according to my experience.We did this further/more information after we covered the program of the day.As a result/As a consequence/Consequently/Therefore/Thus/So/That's why,his students differentiate him from other teachers.In addition to this,all the further information his students receive makes him a(n) extraordinary/strange/unusual instructor.I am free to confess that I have improved my knowledge of English dramatically thanks to him.Additionally,I have learned more advanced vocabulary items during his lessons.Therefore,I have never wanted to miss his lessons.I have gotten at least/minimum 27 points of 30 for vocabulary part of essay writings.Turkish English is coming,how Imuch I thank to him is little.In foundation I learned PF's vocavulary items.Moreover,when I take/sit/do an exam or read a book,I see his words given to us and I immediately remember him.I pass the exams with flying colours thanks to him.When it comes to pronounciation,he is the best choise/alternative.He writes the words on the board and also the words that have the same pronounciation as the ones written on the board.Then,he chooses one student to read them and all the pupils in the class take turns and pronounce them.I was not good at pronouncing,but I have bettered my pronounciation.It seems a word invented for his teaching style/method,unbelievably perfect.He is loved by his pupils because/as/since/on account of the fact that/due to the fact that/owing to the fact that he puts his effort as much as possible in his lessons.During his lessons,I do not get bored easily because he often tells jokes,makes jokes,fun Turkish-English translation such as; chicken translation(tavuk çevirme),clean family girl and so on...I like common mistakes.So does he.He tells the common mistakes to his students in order to/so as to draw/capture/attract our attention not to make them.So unbelievable/unpredictable is his variety of vocabulary that I cannot believe he is Turkish.As you see,he is one of the most knowledgeable instructors I have met up to now.I am lucky to have been one of his pupils.I wish he would be my lecturer at this university.In the lights of issues mentioned/brought up above,if you want to better your English,İzzet AKIN is by far the best choise.You will understand/perceive/comprehend what I mean after he has become your instructor.


Kerem AYDIN DoÄŸuÅŸ University Maths Student

I met İzzet Akın at Doğuş University where I worked as a trainee-teacher during my first year of teaching. Since it was my first teaching year, several observers came to my lessons and Mr Akın was one of those observers as my mentor. He made me gain new academic skills due to the fact that he has got a different perspective of teaching and the teacher. He not only observed my lesson, but he also invited me to his lessons and asked me comment on his teaching skills both positively and negatively, which is the proof that he welcomes new ideas and opinions. He also has a good sense of humor and uses this ability as an effective way of teaching. He starts from students’ daily lives and moves onto the goal of the lesson in such a way that you don’t even feel that you are in the classroom and learning English. I also realized another aspect of him which is the fact that he reflects his vocabulary knowledge on his lessons and this makes the lessons enjoyable. I am thankful to him for not being an ordinary English teacher and for the perspective he has made me acquire. Although I worked with him for rather a short time, I had the chance to learn a lot from him and I feel myself lucky for that because he is one of the best colleagues to work with.

Ezgi MERİÇ
Celal Bayar University ezgi.meric@gmail.com

I have known İzzet Akın for some time now, both professionally and personally, and I must say he never ceases to amaze me with his dedication to his trade and his commitment to both students and colleagues alike. With extensive English teaching knowledge, as well as a unique insight from having lived in America, İzzet has the first hand experience to optimally teach any level of student. İzzet’s work ethic and approach to accomplishing one’s goals serves as a model for the rest of us.

Kenneth Fine (Instructor)
DoÄŸuÅŸ University Faculty
28/02/2008

I have known İzzet Akın as a colleague since September 2007, while I have been teaching at the Doğuş University Preparatory Department. During this time we have developed a friendship alongside our working relationship. Izzet appears to be a hardworking and conscientious teacher who demonstrates enthusiasm in the performance of his duties. He also actively participates in department meetings and workshops where he is willing to share his ideas and learn from others. In particular, he possess a caring personality and appears to devote extra time assisting both students and members of staff.
Izzet's sense of humour and other personality traits combined with his professionalism make him a great colleague to work with. I am therefore pleased to have the opportunity to provide this testimony for him. Please don't hesitate to contact me, if you require further information.


Adam DEARNER
adamdeaner@hotmail.com