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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Turkey Series at TurkishClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Turkish holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 9 - Winter Vacation. In Turkish, it’s called yarıyıl tatili. |
| Semester Holidays, which are also called Half Term Holidays, or in Turkish Şubat tatili are the time when primary and middle school students are given time off school from the end of January through February for fifteen days. This holiday marks the end of the first semester of the school year. |
| In this lesson, you will learn about events that take place in the Half Term holidays. |
| Now, before we go into more detail, we’ve got a question for you- |
| What is the etymology of the word semester or in Turkish sömestir, and what do students in Turkey call this exciting half-term vacation among themselves? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| This is a holiday for students and teachers. At this time of the year, schools are closed to students and teachers and students receive their school reports or karne in Turkish. Students who receive a Certificate of Merit or Appreciation or in Turkish Takdir veya Teşekkür Belgesi often receive half-term gifts from their parents as a reward. Younger students go to children’s theaters or cinemas. Most children’s movies and cartoons come out around this time of the year. Older students, such as high school or middle school students, prefer to spend time with their friends, go to the cinema, or pursue their hobbies and play sports. |
| During half-term holidays, even though most of the male students prefer to play video games or bilgisayar oyunu at home with their friends, it's quite common for them to do some educational activities or eğitici aktiviteler such as visiting museums or exhibitions. Apart from that, in the most lucky cases, students may go on holidays either within Turkey or abroad. Around this time of the year generally, skiing and snowboarding resorts are fully booked. Holiday tours abroad, especially to Europe, are also very popular. |
| Just like primary and middle schools, universities or üniversiteler also close for academic holidays. Depending on the beginning of the first semester, if students don’t have to attend make-up exams, then this holiday lasts about three to four weeks. There are also universities that close for five weeks. Since this is the longest academic holiday, group holidays are usually organized for university students, and resorts that cater for skiing and snowboarding usually lower their prices to accommodate students. Remember that throughout the winter holiday season, these resorts are generally packed with students. |
| Since so many students going to university come from other cities or towns, internal migration, or iç göç, flows across the country. Due to students going back home, bus, plane and train tickets sell out quickly. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| What is the etymology of the word semester or sömestir and what do students in Turkey call this exciting half term vacation among themselves? |
| The word sömestir as it's used in Turkish comes from French. It means half-year academic course. Since the holiday lasts for fifteen days, students call this holiday fifteen holidays or On beş tatili. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| How long are the semester holidays in your country? |
| Leave us a comment letting us know at TurkishClass101.com. And we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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