AGES 13–14 · GRADE 8 · FINAL YEAR
Grade 8 is the year that decides what a student takes with them into the next stage. Subjects go deeper, and at the same time independence and a sense of responsibility come of age. The high school route — in Turkey or in Canada — is talked about this year.
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01OVERVIEW
Grade 8 is the final year of middle school and acts as an important bridge towards high school. Students meet more complex academic material, and their independence and sense of responsibility mature noticeably over the year.
Subjects are now covered in enough depth to prepare for high school level. In science, physics, chemistry and biology begin to separate out; in mathematics, abstract thinking comes to the fore; in social studies, events are weighed up as chains of cause and effect.
This is also a year of decisions. The student and the family begin to talk about whether the high school route will be in Turkey or in Canada. We keep both routes open, and we believe the decision belongs to the family.
02YEAR FEATURES
These are not separate timetabled lessons; they are areas of work spread across the whole programme.
University may look a long way off, but the habits that carry a student there are built this year. Working on your own, using sources, planning a long piece of work and finishing it: all of these are what this year adds.
Subjects are covered in enough depth to prepare for high school level. The aim is not to get through the curriculum quickly; it is to make sure the concepts a student will meet in high school are not unfamiliar.
A student does not stop at finding information; they sift it and interpret it. Comparing more than one source, spotting a contradiction and giving reasons for their own conclusion are the work of this year.
A student runs a piece of work from start to finish: choosing the topic, planning it, carrying it out and handing it in. The teacher guides but does not remind; keeping track is the student's own responsibility.
Community service runs more independently this year. Students work out the need themselves, draw up the plan themselves and answer for the result. The aim is not to fill an hour but to finish a job.
Writing no longer passes on information; it argues a view. Students learn to set out a case, present evidence, deal with the opposing view and draw it to a conclusion. This skill is of direct use in high school and at university.
For students who want it, there is the option of a summer programme at CLLC's campuses in Canada. Taking part is entirely optional; a student who does not go is in no way left behind.
03SUBJECTS
We teach the whole of the Turkish curriculum, in full. None of the subjects below is taken out of the programme or watered down.
Reading, writing and communication skills are taken further. A range of literary works is analysed with a critical eye.
Core concepts are treated in more depth and more complex topics are introduced. Problem-solving strategies and analytical thinking come to the fore.
Physics, chemistry and biology are taught together. Students explore concepts, carry out experiments and take part in practical work.
History, geography and citizenship are covered together. The cultures, societies and events that shaped the world are examined.
Muslim students learn the principles and practices of Islam. Non-Muslim students study moral and ethical principles within a secular framework.
Visual arts and music run side by side. Students learn different techniques and develop their own way of expressing themselves.
Physical health, motor skills and teamwork are supported. A range of sports and activities keeps the habit of an active life going.
An understanding of responsible citizenship and human rights is developed. Democratic values, social justice and global issues are discussed.
04HIGH SCHOOL ROUTE
This is what families talk about most during the year. We keep both routes open and work to make the student ready for whichever one they take.
Most of our students go on to high school in Turkey. Because we teach the Turkish curriculum in full, nothing is left missing in that move.
For families thinking about high school abroad, CLLC's twenty years of experience in Canada is an advantage. This route is optional.
The Canadian route is not pressed on anyone as a goal. Most of our students go on to high school in Turkey, and that is every bit as sound a choice.
05PREPARING FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Being ready is not simply a matter of having finished the syllabus. What keeps a student standing in high school is the six habits they pick up this year.
In high school nobody reminds you about homework. Having a way of keeping track of their own is what shapes a student's first term there.
Setting out a case, presenting evidence and drawing it to a conclusion. There is writing in every subject in high school, and this skill shows up directly in the marks.
Finding information, judging how reliable it is and saying where it came from. Academic honesty turns into a habit this year.
Getting work for several subjects done within the same week. Breaking a long task into parts becomes a daily necessity in high school.
In high school, choices about a field of study, which subjects to take and where to spend time all land on the student. This year that muscle is worked with small decisions.
Which subjects are they strong in, where do they need support, how do they learn best? That awareness counts when they come to choose a direction in high school.
06OUR METHOD
Our Grade 8 programme is built to give students the skills and the outlook that high school asks for. Our teachers use project-based learning, collaborative group work and research-led assignments together.
This year responsibility passes largely to the student. The teacher does not remind or chase; they guide, and step in when it is needed. The aim is a student who will not find themselves on their own in high school.
Because we keep our classes small, that handover moves at a controlled pace. A student who cannot yet carry the independence is noticed, and the support is not withdrawn.
English supported by CLLC. As an optional programme, we offer English themes prepared out of the twenty years of experience of the Canadian Language Learning College (CLLC).
In Grade 8 the work moves through interactive activities and real-life scenarios. For families thinking about high school in Canada this year matters a great deal; and for a student staying in Turkey, fluent English becomes a lasting advantage in high school.
07FOR PARENTS
A student is not left on their own all at once. Responsibility passes step by step through the year, and a student who cannot carry it is noticed.
Most of our students go on to high school in Turkey. The option abroad is a possibility, not a goal. The decision belongs to the family.
Being the last year of middle school is no reason to pile weight on a student. Preparation is done through routine, not through pressure.
Thirteen and fourteen is still a sensitive age. Academic preparation is not pushed through while a student's emotional state is ignored.
We share with you what we see about the areas your child is strong in and where their interests lie. The decision is yours; the information comes from us.
Academic competence is the starting condition. Working with this age group also calls for patience and understanding, and that is something we look at closely when we appoint a teacher.
08FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. We teach the whole of the Turkish curriculum in full, so nothing is left missing in the move to high school in Turkey. Most of our students already take this route. Fluent English also stays with them as an advantage that is not lost in high school.
It is an optional route, and it is planned together with the family. Language level is built up step by step through middle school, the Canadian education system is introduced in advance, and there is a summer programme option for students who want it. For the current process and timetable, please get in touch with us.
Subjects go deeper, but our aim is not to pile weight on a student. We do not create final-year pressure. This year's preparation is done by making study routines firmer, not by handing out more homework. A student who works steadily finds the busy stretches less of a struggle.
This is more common than you might think, and it can be worked through. We do not hand responsibility over all at once; we pass it on step by step through the year. In small classes, a student who cannot carry it is noticed early, the support is not withdrawn, and the skill that is missing is worked on separately.
We share information rather than steer. We watch which subjects a student is strong in, what interests them and how they work, and we pass that on to you. Which high school and which route is a decision for the family and the student.
Filling in the application form is all that is needed. We then call you and meet at the campus on a day that suits you. During the visit you walk round the classrooms, meet the subject teachers and put your questions face to face. We suggest that your child comes to that meeting too.
Grade 8 is the year that decides what a student takes with them into high school. Fill in the application form, let us call you, and we will meet at the campus on a day that suits you. You can walk round the classrooms, meet the subject teachers and talk the high school route through with us.