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Certificate Ceremony “Children’s Traffic Security Awareness” Project Takes Place at EMU

A certificate ceremony was held for the “Children’s Traffic Security Awareness” project jointly organized by Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Traffic Education and Research Center and EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Foreign Language Education. The certificate ceremony was attended by Faculty of Education Dean Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam, Department of Foreign Language Education Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Javanshir Shibliyev, Traffic Education and Research Center President Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Metin Kunt, project coordinator Department of Foreign Language Education academic staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Naciye Kunt, Department of Foreign Language Education academic staff members Asst. Prof. Dr. Fatoş Erozan and Asst. Prof. Dr. İlkay Gilanlıoğlu as well as students.

“Traffic Education is Inadequate”

Speaking at the opening of the ceremony, EMU Traffic Education and Research Center President Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Metin Kunt touched upon the importance of “Children’s Traffic Security Awareness”.  Asst. Prof. Dr. Kunt stated “Within the scope of this project, Department of Foreign Language Education students prepared traffic safety themed course content and 3-dimensional traffic education materials. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) traffic accidents are one of the world’s most common causes of death. One way of decreasing fatal accidents is to internalize traffic safety language in English lessons. We have started this project as the current traffic education in pre-school and primary school curricula is inadequate. ”

 “We thank everyone for their contributions”

EMU Faculty of Education Dean Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam stated that information learned at a young age sticks with people throughout their lives, highlighting the importance of the correct timing of the project regarding children’s traffic safety awareness.  Indicating that the children will grow up with increased awareness Prof. Dr. Osam stated that they will be more responsible in traffic. Prof. Dr. Osam extended her gratitude to Traffic Education and Research Center President Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kunt and project coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Naciye Kunt. The ceremony ended with a certificate ceremony and cocktail.

INTERVIEWS:

Sibel Soybir

Sibel Soybir (EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Foreign Language Education, English Language Teaching Undergraduate Program 4th Year Student) 

I don’t like the traffic accidents in Cyprus and this is a big problem because traffic rules are neglected. Learning begins at a young age. Therefore, the things that are learned at a young age become more memorable, especially if they are provided with visuals. The project that we prepared took our time, but we enjoyed it a lot. Our students were 8 years old and our topic included traffic rules, colors, and direction concepts. For my future career, I think we can support these materials which we prepared as well as handouts and videos for reinforcement.

Mustafa Leblebicioğlu

Mustafa Leblebicioğlu (EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Foreign Language Education, English Language Teaching Undergraduate Program 4th Year Student) 

Both for us and for the students themselves the education was very beneficial. Using materials other than books makes itself catchier among the young learners. The subject we taught to the children was the 'Traffic Rules' and thanks to the material we prepared, I was happy that their awareness of the subject increased and that they learned the rules’ importance. I do not want to be attached to only the books in my teaching-life. Using a variety of sources in lessons is always catchy and I will use them, as well.

Mehmet Kalaç

Mehmet Kalaç (EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Foreign Language Education, English Language Teaching Undergraduate Program 3rd Year Student) 

I think this activity was beneficial and eye-catching. Our goal should not provide education based on memorization, but on the contrary, we should make it visually clear with our materials that we prepared, and I believe that we have achieved this. Although we were exhausted during the preparation time of our projects, we had so much fun. Once upon a time we were also children, too. Now, it is our duty to make our materials colorful as teachers. For my future life, I will not teach a simple or just book-based education. Therefore, I think this activity will contribute and help to my lessons which I will prepare in my future life.