29 October Republic Day: Education, Freedom and the Spirit of Learning New Languages

Every year, 29 October Republic Day is a special occasion to reflect on our independence, our shared values and our faith in the future. The Republic represents not only a form of government, but also the importance of free thought, science, education and equal opportunities.

Founded under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Republic marked the beginning of a profound transformation intended to help future generations grow with knowledge, curiosity and freedom of thought. Children continuing to learn, explore and develop themselves today are an important part of this legacy.

1. The Republic and Education: Building the Future through Knowledge

One of the Republic’s fundamental values is the decisive role of education in society’s development. Education enables individuals not only to gain knowledge, but also to question, think and make their own decisions.

Science and reason hold an important place in Atatürk’s vision of modernisation. This approach continues to guide children today as they develop in different fields and seek to understand the world better.

Education is the key not only to understanding the present, but also to shaping the future.

2. Learning New Languages: Opening New Windows onto the World

Learning a foreign language is much more than memorising new words. It offers fresh opportunities to discover different cultures, understand other people’s thoughts and see the world from different perspectives.

As children learn a new language, they also learn to:

• Be curious and investigate;
• Develop understanding towards different cultures;
• Express themselves;
• Enjoy discovering new knowledge.

Considering the Republic’s aim of raising individuals who are modern and open to the world, learning a foreign language becomes a meaningful part of this journey.

3. Activities for Republic Day beyond the Classroom

Republic Day is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn more about their history and connect what they learn with everyday life. Simple activities with their families can encourage their curiosity and help reinforce what they have learned at school or in online foreign language lessons.

Here are a few activities for 29 October that families can try at home to support foreign language learning.

• Create a Republic-themed vocabulary notebook: Children can choose English words such as “freedom”, “peace”, “equality” and “education”, bringing together their meanings, drawings and Turkish equivalents on the same page. This helps them connect new words with their visual memory.
• Design a poster for 29 October: Children can make a poster about Republic Day. By adding a short celebration message in English or a few words they have learned, they can combine their language skills with a creative activity.
• Read about Atatürk and the Republic together: Through age-appropriate children’s books, short biographies or texts based on reliable sources, children can discover the founding of the Republic and the importance Atatürk placed on education. Retelling what they remember in their own words also supports reading comprehension.
• Have a family conversation about Republic Day: Parents can ask questions such as “Why do you think education is important?” or “What kind of future would you like to live in?” Children can share their thoughts in Turkish or using English words they know, giving them a chance to express themselves and think about new concepts.
• Make a personal Republic Day dictionary: Children can write words they have learned about the celebration on small cards, adding meanings and example sentences on the back. These cards can also be used for short conversations and vocabulary revision in later English lessons.

These activities do not need to be completed within a set time or prepared perfectly. What matters is that children learn with curiosity, connect what they learn with their own ideas and enjoy discovering new knowledge.

Continuing to Learn in the Light of the Republic

The Republic also brings a responsibility to carry the values we have inherited into the future. Trust in science, the right to education, freedom of thought and the ideal of equality are values that each generation must interpret anew and keep alive.

A future in which children ask questions, investigate, appreciate differences and think freely is one way to keep the Republic’s ideal of modernisation alive.

At Hurra Lingo, we celebrate 29 October Republic Day and remember with respect and gratitude everyone who contributed to the founding of our Republic, above all Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Long live the Republic! 🇹🇷