Register now for our 2025 winter term!
- Multiple levels
- Small class size – max. 12 students
- Native-speaking & experienced instructors
- Affordable tuition – $380 per level
- 4 terms per year – each 10 weeks long
- Convenient downtown location or online
Learn Turkish at the International Language Institute in Washington, DC, or online.
The Turkish Language Program at ILI consists of four 10-week terms throughout the year. We offer 5 different levels from beginner to intermediate. Our Turkish classes take place once a week in the evenings. Our teachers are all native-speaking and experienced. The Turkish Language Program integrates speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We maintain small class sizes to enable adequate time for conversation in every class. To find your level, please refer to the level description or use our self-evaluation guide. If you have further questions, please call Jane Edwards, ILI’s Foreign Language Coordinator, at 202-686-5610 extension 105. Enroll now!
Live, Instructor-led In-Person or Online Turkish Classes
Learn Turkish in person or online from a live instructor using Zoom. All online classes are instructor-led, in real-time, allowing for the same live interaction as our in-person classes. Some of our classes are a combination of in-person and online students. We have 360-degree cameras in the rooms enabling online participants to feel part of the class. This hybrid class environment allows students to engage with each other and the instructor and to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking the Turkish Language.
Schedule Register Now!
Register now for our 2025 winter term!
| 2025 Term: | Session Dates: | Registration Deadline: |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jan. 13-Mar. 22, 2025 | Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 |
| Spring | Apr. 7-Jun. 14, 2025 | Monday, Mar. 24, 2025 |
| Summer | Jun. 30-Sep. 6, 2025 | Monday, Jun. 16, 2025 |
| Fall | Sep. 22-Dec. 6, 2025 | Monday, Sep. 8, 2025 |
Turkish Level Description
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is for those learners with little or no command of the Turkish language. Learners will be introduced to modern spoken and written Turkish. Learners will become acquainted with the Turkish alphabet, the Turkish sound system, and will learn how to perform typical everyday tasks, such as formal introductions, greetings, offering thanks, exchanging personal information, showing courtesy, and making simple inquiries. Basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To introduce learners to the Turkish alphabet, vowel harmonies, to basic vocabulary, sentence structure, and to provide learners with the ability to engage in simple conversation by introducing self, welcoming one another, gathering information, greeting/introducing someone, and inquiring about someone’s well-being.
Outcome: At the end of the course, learners will be able to begin to follow classroom commands, practice listening to simple introductory dialogues between two native speakers through the course dialogues, learn how to greet, introduce oneself, and get acquainted with others, exchange courtesy expressions, express one’s well-being and inquire about others, participate in role-plays, begin reading advertisements and begin to express past experience using common verbs.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-1-7, U-10-12, U-21-22, U-37-39, G.E-1,15. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
This course is for those learners with little or no command of the Turkish language. Learners will be introduced to modern spoken and written Turkish. Learners will become acquainted with the Turkish alphabet, the Turkish sound system, and will learn how to perform typical everyday tasks, such as formal introductions, greetings, offering thanks, exchanging personal information, showing courtesy, and making simple inquiries. Basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To introduce learners to the Turkish alphabet, vowel harmonies, to basic vocabulary, sentence structure, and to provide learners with the ability to engage in simple conversation by introducing self, welcoming one another, gathering information, greeting/introducing someone, and inquiring about someone’s well-being.
Outcome: At the end of the course, learners will be able to begin to follow classroom commands, practice listening to simple introductory dialogues between two native speakers through the course dialogues, learn how to greet, introduce oneself, and get acquainted with others, exchange courtesy expressions, express one’s well-being and inquire about others, participate in role-plays, begin reading advertisements and begin to express past experience using common verbs.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-1-7, U-10-12, U-21-22, U-37-39, G.E-1,15. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
Offered on: Tuesdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is the continuation of the Basic 1 level and is for learners who have taken formal instruction sometime in the past, or who have had previous informal exposure to the language. Classes will focus on speaking grammatically correct Turkish and engaging in meaningful longer conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To continue to develop and enhance learners’ introductory level in reading, writing and oral skills in the Turkish language through more intricate verb tenses and lengthier speaking, writing, and reading assignments like expressing surprise, asking for information about one’s past work experience, talking to someone on the phone, extending and accepting an invitation, apologizing, asking for names, seeking advice and recommendations, making a hotel reservation, talking about daily activities, etc.
Outcome: At the end of the course, learners will be able to discuss their biographies, discuss past experience at greater length, provide numbers, tell time, and offer simple directions, describe people/objects in terms of their appearance and qualities using modifiers, participate in role-plays such as carrying out phone conversations concerning invitations, and start talking about current news in a simple and concise form.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-7-8, U-31-32, U-48, U-50-52, U-58-59, U-69, G.E-1. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
This course is the continuation of the Basic 1 level and is for learners who have taken formal instruction sometime in the past, or who have had previous informal exposure to the language. Classes will focus on speaking grammatically correct Turkish and engaging in meaningful longer conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To continue to develop and enhance learners’ introductory level in reading, writing and oral skills in the Turkish language through more intricate verb tenses and lengthier speaking, writing, and reading assignments like expressing surprise, asking for information about one’s past work experience, talking to someone on the phone, extending and accepting an invitation, apologizing, asking for names, seeking advice and recommendations, making a hotel reservation, talking about daily activities, etc.
Outcome: At the end of the course, learners will be able to discuss their biographies, discuss past experience at greater length, provide numbers, tell time, and offer simple directions, describe people/objects in terms of their appearance and qualities using modifiers, participate in role-plays such as carrying out phone conversations concerning invitations, and start talking about current news in a simple and concise form.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-7-8, U-31-32, U-48, U-50-52, U-58-59, U-69, G.E-1. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pmEnroll now!
The first part of the course will be dedicated to the review of the previous Basic levels. This level continues to consolidate necessary grammar skills that will enable learners to understand, read, write and translate sentences and paragraphs. Building on the previous basic levels, learners will expand their vocabulary to include more specialized areas of interest such as business, culture, politics, etc. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will continue to be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: Learners will continue to expand their knowledge of basic Turkish by building and using more complex and more nuanced sentence structures and through expressing their ideas by means of a solid vocabulary foundation of adjectives and adverbs. To work toward a more advanced level of grammar, reading, comprehension and speaking will address increasingly more complex subject matter and style.
Outcome: Learners will have acquired a solid foundation in the language. At the end of the course, learners will be able to participate in conversations with more social functions such as making reservations in various situations, finding out transportation schedules and other related information, in present and past situations, talking about their personal histories with improved structures, starting to read, listen, and share about cultural events with informative details, asking about the time, giving more precise work and personal life history using years, months, days, etc., inquiring about accommodation, stating opinions, ordering food, and asking for recommendations at restaurants.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-15-16, U-29-31, U-58-59, U-61, U-87. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
The first part of the course will be dedicated to the review of the previous Basic levels. This level continues to consolidate necessary grammar skills that will enable learners to understand, read, write and translate sentences and paragraphs. Building on the previous basic levels, learners will expand their vocabulary to include more specialized areas of interest such as business, culture, politics, etc. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will continue to be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: Learners will continue to expand their knowledge of basic Turkish by building and using more complex and more nuanced sentence structures and through expressing their ideas by means of a solid vocabulary foundation of adjectives and adverbs. To work toward a more advanced level of grammar, reading, comprehension and speaking will address increasingly more complex subject matter and style.
Outcome: Learners will have acquired a solid foundation in the language. At the end of the course, learners will be able to participate in conversations with more social functions such as making reservations in various situations, finding out transportation schedules and other related information, in present and past situations, talking about their personal histories with improved structures, starting to read, listen, and share about cultural events with informative details, asking about the time, giving more precise work and personal life history using years, months, days, etc., inquiring about accommodation, stating opinions, ordering food, and asking for recommendations at restaurants.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-15-16, U-29-31, U-58-59, U-61, U-87. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
Offered on: Mondays 6:15-8:45 pmEnroll now!
This level will refresh the previous knowledge about Turkish language and strengthen all grammatical structures learned. This course will include a review of the basics of Turkish language with continuing understanding of intermediate elements in the language. More advanced vocabulary and grammar will be introduced. Cultural, political, and family topics will be discussed and the learners will have a broader understanding of the Turkish language and culture.
Objective: Through more complex vocabulary, grammatical style, and topics, learners will work toward a more complete understanding of reading and speaking in Turkish. They will use common, cultural expressions. They will continue to practice and develop all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Outcome: Learners will be comfortable having a conversation based on daily events and expressing their ideas. Learners will be familiar with appropriate vocabulary and will know the necessary grammatical structures to briefly discuss traveling, literature, and environmental concerns and will be able to have a normal conversation based on daily events, family relations, locations, and the weather. Learners will be further conversant with appropriate phrases to bring up news or be able to change the topic, discuss simple geographic and demographic information, participate in role-plays involving requests for information, read, listen, and talk about news and express their ideas in both orally and in writing.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-10, U-14, U-19, U-26-27, U-36,U-43, U-60. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
This level will refresh the previous knowledge about Turkish language and strengthen all grammatical structures learned. This course will include a review of the basics of Turkish language with continuing understanding of intermediate elements in the language. More advanced vocabulary and grammar will be introduced. Cultural, political, and family topics will be discussed and the learners will have a broader understanding of the Turkish language and culture.
Objective: Through more complex vocabulary, grammatical style, and topics, learners will work toward a more complete understanding of reading and speaking in Turkish. They will use common, cultural expressions. They will continue to practice and develop all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Outcome: Learners will be comfortable having a conversation based on daily events and expressing their ideas. Learners will be familiar with appropriate vocabulary and will know the necessary grammatical structures to briefly discuss traveling, literature, and environmental concerns and will be able to have a normal conversation based on daily events, family relations, locations, and the weather. Learners will be further conversant with appropriate phrases to bring up news or be able to change the topic, discuss simple geographic and demographic information, participate in role-plays involving requests for information, read, listen, and talk about news and express their ideas in both orally and in writing.
Textbook: “Turkish Grammar In Practice” by Yusuf Buz, Foxton, paperback, $53
Lessons: Unit-10, U-14, U-19, U-26-27, U-36,U-43, U-60. In each lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be provided by the instructor.
Offered on: Not offered this term
At this level, the conversations and grammar become more complex. Students will review complex verbs and tenses, building sentences, speaking on different topics. Subjects of Turkish geography, history, culture, and politics will be presented in more details than before.
Objective: To become much more comfortable understanding and using the proper verb tenses as they relate to moods while speaking Turkish. This program will continue to focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing together with Turkish culture.
Outcome: Students will be able to comfortably explain past and present events. Students will acquire a wider use of idiomatic expressions and will become more comfortable verifying names, addresses, and phone numbers when making appointments, giving/receiving directions over the phone, confirming appointments, inviting friends/acquaintances for dinner parties or accepting/refusing invitations and their future plans. At the end of the period, students will be able to discuss current events more in depth using comparison tools.
Textbook: "Turkish: An Essential Grammar” by Asli Göksel, Celia Kerslake In every lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be given by your instructor.
At this level, the conversations and grammar become more complex. Students will review complex verbs and tenses, building sentences, speaking on different topics. Subjects of Turkish geography, history, culture, and politics will be presented in more details than before.
Objective: To become much more comfortable understanding and using the proper verb tenses as they relate to moods while speaking Turkish. This program will continue to focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing together with Turkish culture.
Outcome: Students will be able to comfortably explain past and present events. Students will acquire a wider use of idiomatic expressions and will become more comfortable verifying names, addresses, and phone numbers when making appointments, giving/receiving directions over the phone, confirming appointments, inviting friends/acquaintances for dinner parties or accepting/refusing invitations and their future plans. At the end of the period, students will be able to discuss current events more in depth using comparison tools.
Textbook: "Turkish: An Essential Grammar” by Asli Göksel, Celia Kerslake In every lesson, topic-related supplementary material (dialogues, exercises, homework, etc.) will be given by your instructor.
Program Details
$380 ($400 in 2025) for a 10-week one level class per student. Au-Pairs can receive a 10% discount on tuition with proof of their status. Enroll now!
May be purchased at the time of registration or at the Institute before or on the first day of class. All prices quoted include a 6% DC sales tax and all prices are subject to change at any time. Tax-exempt organizations or individuals need to provide proof of sales tax exemption before being charged. No retroactive refunds of sales tax. Once received by the student, books and other materials are the property of the student and are non-refundable.
Regarding placement, we recommend that you go to our self-evaluation guide on our website. Kindly read through each description of each level. If you feel that you are able to fulfill all the tasks described in one level, then move on to the next level and so on, until you reach a description of tasks that you are unable to fulfill. That would correspond to the level of classes in which you should enroll. If, once enrolled, you should not feel comfortable at that level, you can transfer to another level, availability permitting. We do not offer placement tests.
Regular group classes meet once weekly in the evening (6:15-8:45 pm ET) or on Saturday mornings (10 am-12:30 pm ET) for 10 weeks. Each session is 2.5 hours. All class hours are U.S. Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Saving). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week.
In-person at ILI and online via Zoom. Our classes are usually held in person at Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036. Classes are also offered online via Zoom. We are within walking distance from the Metro's Dupont Circle (South exit) and Farragut North stations. Parking garages are close by and parking on the street is available after 6:30 pm.
Minimum 3, maximum 12 students. We recommend signing up as early as possible so we can adequately plan for all classes. If the minimum enrollment of at least 3 students per class is not met, we will have to cancel that class after the registration deadline has passed. In case of a cancellation, students will be given the opportunity to change classes, postpone their enrollment or request a full refund.
Our program requires each student to participate in weekly quizzes, which will be graded, based on a “Pass” or “Fail” system. There will be a final quiz that will measure the sum of the instructional objectives for the course. Grades are verbally communicated to students at the end of each class/course, and are marked on the attendance/performance sheet. Students must have completed and passed at least 70% of the quizzes to move to the next level.
It is important for students to attend every class meeting. It is also important that they arrive on time for class. We cover a lot of material in each class. The instructor cannot repeat material for students who are absent or come late. Students will be marked absent when they do not come to class. Missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Students who arrive 15 minutes after the advertised starting time will be marked late. For every 3 times that the student is marked as late, it will count as a missed hour. If we notice that a student’s attendance is in danger of falling below 70%, we will issue an attendance report to the student.
Per request, we can issue certificates of completion after the term has ended. The certificate can be ordered at the front desk. In order to be eligible to receive a certificate or pass to the next level, you are required to attend a minimum of 70% of the classes and have a “Passing” grade. We will need a couple of days in order to verify your attendance and passing grade before issuing the certificate.
ILI’s foreign language group programs are accredited by ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training), and we also offer 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) per every successfully completed course, 5.0 for the accelerated courses. Upon request, our Certificates of Completion can include the CEU’s earned per semester.
No refunds are issued for any reason after the registration deadline for the term (see Schedule above). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week. Individually missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Otherwise there is no make-up for individually missed classes.
The International Language Institute reserves the right to cancel any class if deemed necessary. Prior to commencement of class, students will be given a full refund. In the event of cancellation after the commencement of class, the pro-rata portion of the unexpended tuition will be refunded. The prorated amount of refundable monies will be determined by the ratio of classes completed to the total number of classes in the scheduled program. The International Language Institute reserves the right to assign substitute instructors whenever necessary.
Classes are cancelled in accordance with federal government closures for the entire day due to inclement weather. Please check public announcements on radio, TV and the internet; or call ILI at (202) 362-2505. Closures are also posted on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ILIinDC. We rarely follow early dismissals. ILI is closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Group classes will not meet on these holidays and the missed class(es) will be made up at the end of the term.
Please contact our Foreign Language Coordinator, Jane Edwards, at (202) 686-5610 ext. 105 or at [email protected].