Discover the Best Turkish Classes Near Me
The Turkish language has a complex history dating back thousands of years and is an example of how languages evolve. Believed to have originated 2,500 years ago, the language in Turkey first emerged in the Ottoman Empire. As many as 80 million people worldwide claim Turkish as their primary language and several million more speak it as their secondary, making it one of the most significant languages in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Fluency in Turkish is not limited to the residents of Turkey itself. Turkish is the official language of Turkey and Cyprus, but many people in Germany, Bulgaria, France, the Netherlands, and other countries speak it. Originally written in the Arabic alphabet, Turkish officially transitioned to the Latin alphabet in 1928 to increase literacy and bring the language (and country) into the modern era. Turkish can claim influence from both the Romance languages and the Semitic languages, making it a unique foreign language for anyone to learn.
If you’re looking to learn to speak Turkish, then CourseHorse can help. Studying a new language can be challenging but with the right class environment, passion, and determination, anyone can learn to speak Turkish quickly.
Why You Should Learn Turkish
One of the primary reasons people want to learn Turkish is to plug into their local Turkish community. According to the Turkish Coalition of America, only around 350,000 Americans of Turkish descent live in the United States. However, the majority are in New York and California. That means that most Turkish speakers live in major metropolitan areas.
Additionally, Americans of Turkic descent comprise another 500,000 or so, including Americans of Uzbek, Kazakh, and Azerbaijani descent. Many of these descendants speak Turkish, too, but among those who do not, their native languages provide solid foundations for learning Turkish.
If you want to learn Turkish as a hobby, this language can help you connect with others of Turkic descent or who learned the language for similar reasons. There are many professional and cultural organizations for those interested in the language. You can learn more by contacting the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA), or Turkic American Alliance.
5 Ways to Learn Turkish
There are many ways to learn a new foreign language. In today’s technologically-advanced world, you can learn Turkish on a variety of platforms. Below is a list of the top five ways to learn Turkish as well as their pros and cons.
- In-person classes: Learning Turkish in a traditional classroom is one of the best, most effective ways to master this complex language. Most students who learn this way report a higher level of engagement with the materials than with other methods. Additionally, you also have the ability to ask questions and receive feedback immediately, and can practice your conversational skills with other students. Plus most supples, aside from textbooks, are provided for you. The more traditional structure of in-person classes may not fit well into your schedule if you work long or atypical hours, and you will need to commute to your classroom for each session.
- Online classes (live and on-demand): With an engagement level comparable to in-person learning, live online courses offer another great way to learn Turkish. On-demand classes allow you the most flexibility as you can stop and start whenever you need. Some foreign language learners even prefer virtual education, as it creates more accessibility for those who don’t live near in-person classes or can’t commute. You’ll be responsible for providing your own materials, like a computer, workbooks, textbooks, and headphones for audio training, but you can attend your class from the comfort of your home or anywhere you choose.
- On-demand or self-paced webinars or tutorials: Self-paced or on-demand webinars or tutorials differ from in-person and online courses in several ways. You can stop and start whenever you choose, just like on-demand classes, allowing you to take more time to master a particularly challenging lesson. They typically offer little or no interaction with instructors, and many are free or low-cost. Engagement and accountability are low or non-existent, so you will be responsible for maintaining your focus and commitment.
- Individual self-study: Although you can learn some basic Turkish skills by yourself—including through tutorials, books, language apps, or seminars—this is usually the most challenging way to learn. This approach requires a lot of personal accountability and no way to troubleshoot any challenges you could encounter while learning. It also requires more legwork from the student to research and source the best learning materials and find ways to assess your mastery.
- Cultural immersion: Immersing yourself in Turkish culture can supercharge your language skills, especially if you can do so in Turkey or another country with a Turkish-speaking population. Traveling to a foreign country or living near a Turkish community may not be accessible for most students, but cultural immersion can be a complimentary way to put into practice what you’ve learned in a traditional class environment. You can master Turkish in an in-person or online course and then visit a Turkish restaurant, shop, or cultural center to apply what you’ve learned.
While there are so many options to choose from, nothing will beat the structure, resourcing, and compiled knowledge of an in-person class with a qualified teacher. Check out some of the best Turkish courses below, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
In-Person Turkish Classes
As previously mentioned, in-person classes are the fastest and most efficient way to learn Turkish. Living in a multicultural world means that students across the United States have seemingly endless in-person classes available to them. Below is a collection of in-person classes fro coast to coast, but make sure to check the CourseHorse website often as new classes are added frequently.
Many language learners want to study as a fun hobby, but others learn languages like Turkish for business purposes. Adding Turkish to a resume or CV can benefit workers, especially in large metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.. The government classifies Turkish as a critical language, and Turkey's strategic location--partly in Europe and partly in Asia--makes it an essential bridge between the two continents. Government jobs requiring Turkish may be in diplomacy and military intelligence, including language interpretation and instruction.
Some of the most popular schools that offer in-person Turkish training are in major metropolitan areas. The following schools may have upcoming courses scheduled for beginners.
- Turkish ConneXion - Based in the Tribeca neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York, Turkish ConneXion provides in-person courses for all ages and levels. Their aptly-named Turkish Absolute Beginner 101 class is an adult ed program for students 18 and above. They keep class sizes small, with a maximum of nine students per class. Turkish Absolute Beginner 101 runs for two hours on Thursday evenings for eight sessions. Attendees learn everyday expressions and questions and how to describe daily activities and routines. Turkish ConneXion also offers elementary, intermediate, and advanced Turkish training and separate classes for children.
- New York University - New York University (NYU) hosts Turkish Studies classes through its Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Department. Their Elementary Turkish I class introduces students to modern written and spoken Turkish, so course materials include textual and audio. Additional programs include intermediate and advanced studies. NYU hosts classes at the Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies New York's Washington Square area.
- Language Trainers - Outside New York and New Jersey, California has the nation's largest concentration of Turkish Americans. Language Trainers hosts in-person classes with native Turkish tutors in major metro areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose. Their course levels correspond with internationally-recognized standards: 30 hours to complete the Beginner Level, 150 hours for the Intermediate Level, and 400 hours for the Advanced Level. Among the many other cities in the U.S. and Canada where Language Trainers offer Turkish courses are:
- New York City
- Akron, OH
- Charlotte, NC
- Albuquerque, NM
- Phoenix, AZ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Houston, TX
- Berlitz - One of the oldest foreign language trainers in the world, Berlitz has offered language lessons since 1878. They offer training for children, teens, adults, and businesses. In-person Turkish options include group classes, private classes, and an intensive program called Total Immersion. The Berlitz language center locations include New York City, Washington, D.C., Princeton, NJ, and Orlando, FL.
- International Language Institute - The International Language Institute (ILI) in Washington, D.C., offers multiple options for learning Turkish, including in-person. The Turkish Language Program is instructor-led, real-time training with five levels: Basic 1, 2, and 3, and Intermediate 1 and 2. Instructors are native Turkish speakers, and the program integrates speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Some courses may be on a hybrid level where additional attendees learn online; however, classes are kept small, with a maximum of 12 students.
Virtual Turkish Classes
While in-person classes are known to be the most efficient way to learn, online training offers several of the same benefits. You still have access to expert instructors and a structured learning environment, but virtual classes also allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose), and can typically accommodate more difficult schedules. Plus, teachers can provide real-time feedback and students can still interact together in breakout sessions (in live online classes).
Below are just some of the best online Turkish classes, but make sure to check the listings on Coursehorse frequently as new classes are added often.
Hyperfluent - Hyperfluent is a self-described “one-stop shop” language service from CEO and founder Eva Rosales. Services include private tutoring, interpretation services, translation, and speaking engagements. A university professor, Eva is an expert in nine languages, and Turkish is one of them. Her Turkish 1 & 2 Fundamentals programs are available on an hourly basis.
Pasadena Language Center - Northeast of Los Angeles, Pasadena is another large metropolitan area. Pasadena Language Center serves the entire region, including L.A., Burbank, Glendale, and other cities. Weekly Turkish classes include beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
ABC Languages SF - Another basic Turkish class is Turkish Total Beginner from ABC Languages SF. This San Francisco language school offers a range of foreign language programs, including ASL, Farsi, and Mandarin Chinese. Their Turkish Total Beginner class is available online and will also be available in person soon. If you are not a total beginner in Turkish, you can fill out the ABC Languages evaluation form to get recommendations for other levels, such as their High Beginner level. Training options include private lessons and online lessons for kids and teens.
Karaman Language Solutions - Based in Alexandria, VA, Karaman Language Solutions serves the Washington, D.C. metro area, including northwest Virginia and Baltimore. Their Online Turkish Language and Culture Training Program is one among several services, including translation and interpretation services. Contact Karaman directly for more information.
StoryLearning - StoryLearning is another course provider for foreign languages, including Turkish. Their Turkish Uncovered course is an on-demand (self-paced) program based on language expert Olly Richards' method. Many graduates worldwide, from NYT best-selling authors and academics to YouTubers with millions of subscribers, have used Olly's method to learn languages. Turkish Uncovered includes 20 modules and over 60 video lessons. It is open for a free seven-day trial, and StoryLearning offers a 365-day money-back guarantee.
Private Group Turkish Classes
Do you want to schedule a Turkish course as a fun team-building event for your business or organization? CourseHorse has Turkish classes for private groups that they can deliver to you. They also offer a range of team-building events in areas like wellness, crafts, and public speaking.
For those looking to have their team learn Turkish basics, there are two options from Hyperfluent: Turkish 1 Fundamentals and Turkish 2 Fundamentals. Language expert Eva Rosales, Hyperfluent CEO and founder, hosts both. With a history encompassing interpretation, translation, and mentoring, Eva teaches eight other languages, Turkish included.
Turkish 1 Fundamentals covers basic introductions, descriptions of friends or family, activities, time, and directions. It also includes instructions for ordering food, discussing the weather, and everyday activities like daily routines and shopping. In Turkish 2 Fundamentals, Eva covers how to talk about vacation or business trip activities and discuss beverage likes and dislikes.
Average class sizes for Turkish Fundamentals are kept small, around four participants. Those attending should have an internet connection and administrator access on their desktop or laptop, a recorder or smartphone with recording capabilities, paper, and writing instruments.
Booking Turkish training with CourseHorse offers a variety of benefits. You can change the size of your group after booking if needed. You will receive confirmation of your group booking within 24 hours, and there are no booking fees. Discounts for bulk purchases of sessions may be available for training classes. Contact CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn more about the available options.
What Will I Need to Learn Turkish?
One of the most appreciated benefits of learning Turkish is that you never need much in the way of materials. Basic supplies for learning Turkish may include:
- Language workbooks, textbooks, or audio recordings are the three most common resources when learning a foreign language. In-person classes will typically include most, if not all, of these.
- Notecards may be helpful for vocabulary comprehension, too. Many students find that making flashcards can help with memory and learning sentence structure and syntax.
- Online classes will require the use of a laptop or desktop computer, and in-person classes may as well.
Minimal supplies will keep your out-of-pocket costs low, making learning Turkish accessible for more people and allowing you to jump right into your education.
Is it Difficult to Learn Turkish?
Learning a foreign language, especially Turkish, can have a lot of challenges. An agglutinative structure is very different from the way English is structured and can take some time to get used to. Turkish consists of 29 letters, comparable to the 26-letter Latin alphabet used for English. Originally written with the Arabic alphabet, Turkey modernized the language with Latin in the 1920s.
The structure of Turkish is agglutinative, a process whereby a series of elements can join together to form a single word. The word “ev” means “house,” -imiz means “our,” and -de means “in.” The phrase “evlerimizde” means “in our houses, as "ler" indicates more than one. This structure is drastically different from English and can be challenging for native English speakers to master.
And while Turkish is spoken widely throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, there are much fewer native speakers in the United States, meaning opportunities for language programs or immersion may be harder to find. In many regions, exposure to Turkish or Turkic culture is non-existent, so it may never even occur to some people to explore learning Turkish. Limited Turkish communities can also make it hard to practice your newly mastered skills as there won’t be any native speakers to engage in conversation with. But, for those with passion and determination, learning Turkish is ultimately accessible to everyone.
