The Turkish Program
FAQs
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and language of Turkey with our personalized Turkish language learning experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
At The Turkish Program, we use innovative teaching methods that focus on interactive learning, practical usage, and cultural integration to enhance the language learning experience.
What teaching materials/textbooks do you use?
We follow the Elementary Turkish textbooks by Kurtuluş Öztopçu (Volumes 1 and 2) across the first three years of the program. These textbooks provide a complete grammar foundation and extensive vocabulary, with supplemental materials added to enrich the learning experience. In addition to this textbook as the main guiding block, our teachers weave in handouts with exercises created by the Turkish Program, along with demonstrations of popular memes, music videos, news outlets and literature examples.
Are classes in-person or online?
We offer classes both online and in-person in some of our locations. If you sign up for an in-person class, and cannot make it physically to the class for some of the sessions, we accommodate students by providing a hybrid option, where you can join some classes virtually to not miss the class.
Do you offer a free trial class?
Yes, we offer a free 30-minute trial class for new students. This trial session allows students to get a feel for our teaching style, meet the instructor, and see if the program is a good fit for their learning goals. To schedule a free trial, go to the menu above and click on 'Classes' in the menu. Then select the 'Book Trial Class' button.
How are online classes conducted?
Online classes are held via a video conferencing platform, allowing students to participate from anywhere. These classes are interactive and include all the activities of our in-person classes, with digital tools for an engaging learning experience. The instructors and students share their video during class to facilitate discussion, and instructions share their screen with a virtual board to help students follow along. All notes from the class are provided after the lesson.
What is the regular pricing for classes?
Our classes are competitive with comparable schools and we take pride in providing high level instruction taught by instructors who specialize in Turkish language and language pedagogy. True to our mission as a cooperative, we aim to help provide a sustainable and fair livelihood for linguists and teachers. Our regular pricing varies based on class type and level. Group classes are priced per term, while private lessons have an hourly rate. Discounts are available for those who enroll in multiple terms or book private classes in packages. For specific pricing information, please contact us directly.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer scholarships to support dedicated students who show enthusiasm and commitment to learning Turkish. Scholarships are available for select students each term, and applications can be submitted via email. Scholarship recipients are featured on our website and may have opportunities to participate in special program events. Our scholarships typically cover a portion of the tuition cost, helping to reduce the financial commitment for students. However, the exact amount varies depending on available funding and the number of applicants each term. We take pride in never turning away students for lack of funds and we work individually with each student to create an equitable tuition rate. To find out more about how to apply, reach out to our coordinator by sending an email to coordinator@turkishprogram.com.
How long is each term, and how many terms are there per year?
Our Academic year consists of five terms, four 8-week terms and one 6-week term. The four 8-week terms start in the beginning of the fall and span till the end of spring. The shorter 6-week term takes place in the summer. We do sometimes allow students to join mid-term depending on the situation.
How many hours of instruction are included in each term?
For group classes, each term includes a total of 12 hours of instruction, with classes held 1 time per week for 1.5 hours each session, over the course of 8 weeks. This structure provides an immersive experience to build strong language skills within a manageable schedule. Standard private lessons are 1-hour long, 1 time per week, amounting to 8 hours of instruction over the course an 8 week term, however, private classes can be adjusted to include more hours/more frequent sessions if the student wishes.
What happens if I cannot make it to a class?
If you miss a session of your group class, you can catch up by reviewing the class materials provided after each session - our instructors record a video of the group class session if one student cannot attend. However, we generally will not reschedule a group class if one student cannot attend, nor do we offer refunds for the missed class. For private classes, we allow the student to reschedule once per term, but we do not offer reimbursements for missed private classes either.
Can I switch groups/levels part-way through the term?
Yes, you can switch groups or levels if you find that your current level isn’t the right fit or if a group is progressing faster or slower than your learning speed. Our instructors are here to help assess your progress and will work with you to determine if a level change is beneficial. Please reach out to us, and we’ll make sure you’re placed in the group that best supports your language goals. Likewise, if you decided that you would like to sign up for private classes in addition to group, or switch from group classes to private or vice-versa mid-term, this can usually be arranged.
Still have a question?
Send us an e-mail with your questions and we will try our best to address your Turkish language needs as quickly as possible.
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