Learning Turkish for beginners or mastering Turkish from zero
Who should I take Turkish lessons from and where? Is the Turkish language difficult itself? How should I approach learning and which format - face-to-face or distance learning - should I choose?
In this article, we will discuss methodologies, useful tips, and information about language centres like Tömer and online platforms for learning the language.
We have invited two leading specialists, experts conducting face-to-face Turkish lessons and teaching on online platforms, to share their knowledge and experience of learning Turkish whilst being immersed in the language environment in Turkey.
Our video report from this meeting can be viewed here:
Our first expert in this issue - an online platform teacher, Nadezhda Gökçimen.
- I am a Turkish language teacher for foreigners, a translator and linguist. I received my first education in Russia as a German to Russian linguist and translator, with English being my second language. Later, I studied the Turkish language in Turkey, at Ankara University's Tömer courses for foreigners.
What are Tömer courses, their advantages and disadvantages
Tömer courses are a well-known language learning system in Turkey. They are the oldest and most proven courses with their pros and cons.
The main advantage is that Tömer is registered in Turkey and provides its students with a licence upon completing these courses.
This licence can be given to future employers as proof of language skills if you want to become a professional translator or certified translator.
Disadvantages of Tömer courses are the near-full-day schedule which these courses require and that the textbooks are designed for all foreigners without any special focus on native Russian speakers.
Also, as people recently prefer to travel and lead a more free lifestyle, Tömer courses have become less attractive to busy people. Tömer courses are suitable for those not limited by time – mainly students and young people not burdened with work, children and family relationships.
"Turkish for All" platform
The "Turkish for All" platform offers a vast array of knowledge, life hacks, and tips for making Turkish learning easier and faster. The platform promotes effective learning with engaging lessons and conversation practice.
"Turkish for All" provides group lessons for both children and adults. There is also a specialised focus on the IT sphere.
The main idea is that students learn the Turkish language through love and respect for the culture. The motivation is to explore different aspects of the culture, art, and history, not only the language, but also the broader scope of Turkish cultural heritage.
Integrating beginners into the Turkish language learning system
An interesting fact is that in the past, people came to Turkey with a passion and love for the country, already interested in learning the language and culture. However, many now come for different reasons and are motivated by necessity.
Many people are truly unfamiliar with Turkey, and for them everything in this country feels foreign. They notice little shortcomings which prevent them from delving deeper into the subject, as language is not just a dry science; it is first and foremost a multifaceted creative process!
For practice, we recommend our students watch Turkish TV series, which are a very popular topic.
It is best to surround yourself with everything Turkish: listen to Turkish hits on headphones, watch talk shows, and choose some artists, cultural or TV personalities that appeal to you. Watch their reports, films about them, and even try imitating phrases with the same intonation and accent as your favourite actors to gradually fall in love with Turkey.
We highly recommend travelling to ancient cities such as Phaselis, Patara, Aspendos, and others. In Antalya, we have a wonderful Opera and Ballet Theatre with musical productions, as well as conversation clubs.
It is essential to try and communicate with local people, attend various events, make Turkish friends, and go to Turkish parties to absorb the Turkish culture.
Turkish for Children
Nadezhda Göechimen tells us:
My specific focus is working with children, adapting them to Turkish schools. I always advise relocating at an early nursery age, even before school.
In Turkey, there is a pre-school preparation, and of course, it is preferable to bring the child to Turkey at this stage.
If the child is already 10-11 years old, it is better to enrol them in online education in their home country while concurrently learning Turkish with a tutor for that year.
Alternatively, enrol in courses to gently prepare and adapt the child to the country, as the Turkish system can be quite complex. Although they will likely excel in mathematics, preparing for other subjects will be challenging.
Respect for children is crucial. Before a move, talk to the child, listen to their thoughts, and avoid forcing them to learn the language. Children, especially teenagers, may not want to relocate, and parents often do it forcefully. This approach is not ideal, as it leads to rejection. No tutor or course will help at this point. Children are more sensitive, and they should be treated with love.
Indeed, working with children can be more difficult than with adults, but with patience and love, one can overcome these challenges.
Our second expert, a language coach, is Natalya Nikolaeva, a teacher with 5 years of experience.
- Five years ago, I came to Turkey and was just like anyone else who did not know where to start.
So now, I can confidently say that the best way to begin is by setting a goal. If the goal is to achieve a high-level academic Turkish, then Akdeniz Universitesi would be the best choice.
If the aim is simply to politely greet neighbours initially, one or two meetings with a tutor at home or online would suffice.
Finding the Right Turkish Language Teacher
What criteria to consider and where to look for them?
In today's world, there are only two search methods: online or offline.
In social networks, you can find a teacher for online learning based on your preferences or recommendations from acquaintances in real life.
In offline settings, it's important to try to understand or directly ask the teacher about their teaching experience, not just their language proficiency, as being able to speak a language and teach another person to do so are often entirely different skills.
Another crucial ingredient is to have realistic expectations. In coaching, we address this from the very beginning, as people often ask what they can achieve in a month, two, or three months of learning. This largely depends on the effort the individual puts in.
Practical tips for learning the Turkish language
Natalia shares her most basic life hack for learning new languages: discipline always trumps motivation! This foundation is the key to success.
Coaching is indeed the principle of structuring learning. It is essential to provide the learner with a mechanism, so after communicating with you as a teacher and the working interaction, they would want to learn another foreign language.
An individual rarely can create a learning system independently. Thus, providing them with a system is the goal!
What helps a person learn a language quickly and efficiently
Firstly, it is essential to clearly understand the purpose, goals and objectives with whatever we do.
Also, try doing everything with love - be genuinely interested in the learning journey.
There is no point forcing someone to watch TV series if they don't like that format. Some Turkish people don't enjoy Turkish TV series simply because they do not like that genre of cinema.
Similarly, there are individuals who do not listen to music, not even instrumental, let alone songs. Does it hinder their ability to learn the Turkish language? Not at all! So, there is no obligation to watch TV series or listen to music.
Does it help? Yes, but to get the most out of it, the person must understand, either by themselves or with a teacher's guidance, how to do it in a way that aids their learning process.
If a person does everything with love – listens to Turkish music, watches films, or reads books – the results will be quick and efficient!
If you want to not only learn the Turkish language but also move there permanently or purchase property in Turkey and enjoy life by the sea, message us on WhatsApp at +90 533 765 43 00.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive information straight from professionals!
Tolerance Team | 20 years by your side
