Learning Turkish is a rewarding experience, whether for travel, business, or academic purposes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of a standard Turkish language course covering levels, curriculum, learning methods, and certification.
1. Course Levels & Structure
Most Turkish courses follow the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), which classifies proficiency levels into six stages:
Level
Description
Skills Acquired
A1 (Beginner)
Basic phrases and greetings
Simple self-introduction, basic questions, and numbers
A2 (Elementary)
Simple conversations in daily life
Ordering food, giving directions, talking about hobbies
B1 (Intermediate)
More fluent communication in various topics
Making requests, describing past events, expressing opinions
B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Understanding complex texts & engaging discussions
Business Turkish, storytelling, debating topics
C1 (Advanced)
Near-native fluency
Writing essays, reading newspapers, giving professional presentations
C2 (Proficient)
Mastery of the language
Academic and formal communication, deep cultural understanding
Most courses offer Beginner to Advanced levels, with each level requiring 2-6 months depending on the intensity of the program.
2. Course Content & Syllabus
A Turkish language course typically includes the following:
a) Grammar (Dilbilgisi)
Sentence Structure: Turkish follows an SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) order.
Example:
Ben kitap okuyorum. (I am reading a book.)
Suffix-Based System: Turkish is an agglutinative language, meaning words change with suffixes:
ev (house) → evler (houses) → evlerden (from houses)
Verb Conjugations: Present, past, and future tenses, imperative and conditional forms.
b) Vocabulary & Daily Use Phrases (Kelime Bilgisi)
Basic Words: Days of the week, numbers, colors, family members.
Common Expressions:
Merhaba! (Hello!)
Nasılsın? (How are you?)
Teşekkür ederim! (Thank you!)
c) Speaking & Listening (Konuşma ve Dinleme)
Pronunciation rules and accent training.
Conversational practice with native speakers.
Audio lessons using Turkish dialogues.
d) Reading & Writing (Okuma ve Yazma)
Reading Turkish newspapers, stories, and dialogues.
Writing short texts, emails, and essays.
Understanding formal and informal language styles.
e) Turkish Culture & Etiquette
Learning about Turkish customs, traditions, history, and cuisine.
Understanding social norms, greetings, and politeness in Turkish society.
3. Learning Methods & Course Types
a) In-Person Courses
Universities & Language Institutes:
TÖMER (Ankara University) – One of the best places to study Turkish.
Istanbul University Language Center
Boğaziçi University Turkish Language Program
Embassy/Consulate Courses – Offered in some countries for Turkish language learners.
b) Online Courses & Apps
Self-Paced Learning:
Duolingo – For beginners.
Busuu & Memrise – Vocabulary & basic conversation.
Udemy & Coursera – Structured Turkish language courses.
Live Online Classes:
iTalki – One-on-one lessons with native tutors.
Tömer Online – Official Turkish course with certification.
c) Self-Study Resources
Books:
Teach Yourself Turkish by Geoffrey Lewis
İstanbul: Turkish for Foreigners (widely used textbook)
YouTube Channels:
“Learn Turkish with Turkishle”
“Turkish Class 101”
4. Course Duration & Study Plan
Study Mode
Weekly Hours
Time to Reach B2 Level
Intensive Course
15-20 hours/week
6-12 months
Regular Course
5-10 hours/week
1-2 years
Self-Study
2-5 hours/week
2+ years
A structured course typically follows this format:
A1-A2 (Basic): 2-4 months
B1-B2 (Intermediate): 6-9 months
C1-C2 (Advanced/Fluent): 12+ months
5. Certification & Exams
If you need an official Turkish language certificate, consider these exams:
a) TÖMER (Turkish Language Proficiency Exam)
Issued by Ankara University
Required for university admissions in Turkey.
b) Yunus Emre Institute Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS)
Internationally recognized for work/study in Turkey.
c) Other Certificates
Some universities and private institutions offer their own completion certificates after a course.
6. Career & Academic Benefits
Study at Turkish universities (Many programs require B2-C1 level).
Job opportunities in tourism, trade, and business in Turkey.
Improve communication with Turkish clients & partners in business.
7. Challenges & Tips for Learning Turkish
Challenges
Agglutinative Structure – Words change with multiple suffixes.
Vowel Harmony – Grammar rules based on vowel sounds.
Pronunciation – Some sounds may be difficult for beginners.
Tips for Fast Learning
Immerse Yourself – Watch Turkish movies & TV shows (Diriliş Ertuğrul, Leyla ile Mecnun).
Practice Speaking Daily – Even if it's simple phrases.
Use Flashcards & Apps – Helps with vocabulary retention.
Join Language Exchange Programs – Talk with native speakers.