How can I learn Turkish language by myself?

Learning Turkish can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially given its rich cultural background. To successfully learn the language, you can combine several approaches, focusing on the four key language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Here's a guide to help you get started to learn Turkish by yourself:

Learn Turkish online, anytime, anywhere!

1. Set Clear Goals

Before diving in, determine why you want to learn Turkish. Whether it’s for travel, business, or personal reasons, having a clear goal will keep you motivated. Break this into smaller milestones, like learning basic greetings in the first month, mastering grammar basics, or holding simple conversations after three months.

2. Start with Turkish Basics: Vocabulary and Phrases

Common Words and Phrases

Begin with essential Turkish phrases for everyday use, such as greetings, introducing yourself, and asking simple questions.Examples: - Merhaba! (Hello!) - Nasılsınız? (How are you?) - Teşekkür ederim. (Thank you.) - Lütfen. (Please.) - Ne kadar? (How much?)

Learn asking how people are in Turkish

Language Apps

Use language-learning apps to practice basic vocabulary. Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise are great for beginners and focus on vocabulary, simple grammar, and conversational skills.

3. Study Turkish Grammar

Turkish grammar is logical but different from many Western languages due to its agglutinative structure. Understanding the basics of how suffixes are used to build words is crucial.

Download Turkish Grammar Course 1 A1

Download Turkish Grammar Course 2 A2

Download Turkish Grammar Course 3 PI

Download Turkish Grammar Course 4 B1

Focus on sentence structure

Turkish follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure, so get used to thinking in that order.

Learn the word order in Turkish

Learn about vowel harmony in Turkish

Turkish uses vowel harmony, which means suffixes change according to the vowels in the root word. This might seem complicated at first but becomes second nature with practice.

Learn the vowel harmony in Turkish

Turkish Tenses and Conjugation

Familiarize yourself with verb conjugations, starting with the present tense, then past and future. Turkish verbs are relatively regular, so this is easier than it might initially seem.

4. Practice Speaking

Speaking Turkish regularly is one of the fastest ways to improve. Here’s how to practice:

Language Exchange

Find a language partner through platforms like HelloTalk, Tandem, or italki, where you can practice Turkish with native speakers and help them with your native language.

Turkish Tutors

If you want structured lessons, consider hiring a tutor. Online platforms like Preply or iTalki have affordable Turkish tutors.

Repetition and Pronunciation

Turkish is a phonetic language, so focus on repeating words and phrases to get comfortable with sounds, especially vowel harmony and certain letters like "ç," "ş," and "ı."

5. Immerse Yourself in Turkish

Surrounding yourself with the language daily helps build fluency:

Turkish TV Shows and Movies

Turkey is known for its popular TV series ("dizi"), and these are a fun way to learn Turkish.

Turkish YouTube Channels

Watch Turkish YouTubers or educational channels for beginners. Listening to native speakers will train your ear for the rhythm and intonation of the language.

Follow Dem Turkish Center's Turkey travel channel on Youtube

Music and Podcasts

Listen to Turkish music or Turkish-language podcasts like Turkish Tea Time. Even if you don’t understand everything, it helps with passive learning and getting used to hearing Turkish regularly.

6. Reading and Writing in Turkish

Begin with Simple Texts in Turkish

Start reading simple stories, news articles, or even children's books in Turkish. Websites like LingQ offer graded reading materials in Turkish.

Write Regularly

Try writing short paragraphs, diary entries, or even tweets in Turkish. Practice constructing sentences with proper word order and suffixes.

Download Turkish Reading Practice Course 1 A1

Download Turkish Reading Practice Course 2 A2

Download Turkish Reading Practice Course 3 PI

Download Turkish Reading Practice Course 4 B1

7. Use Language Apps and Online Resources

There are many online platforms and resources to help you learn Turkish:

Language Apps

Aside from Duolingo and Babbel, consider apps like Busuu, which offer more in-depth lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and conversation.

Turkish Flashcards

Use flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet to memorize vocabulary and sentence structures. Turkish uses a lot of suffixes, so creating flashcards for different verb conjugations or noun cases can help you drill them.

Turkish Grammar Resources

Did you know that Dem Turkish Center offers Turkish grammar practice courses for self-study. Download:

Download Turkish Grammar Course 1 A1

Download Turkish Grammar Course 2 A2

Download Turkish Grammar Course 3 PI

Download Turkish Grammar Course 4 B1

8. Join Turkish Learning Communities

Forums and Groups

Join language learning forums or communities on Reddit, Facebook, or dedicated Turkish language learning groups. These platforms allow learners to ask questions, share resources, and practice together.

Local Meetups

If available, look for Turkish language exchange meetups in your city or online, where you can meet other learners and native speakers.

9. Take Language Classes

If you prefer a more formal learning environment, enroll in Turkish courses:

Online Turkish Classes

Many universities or private institutions offer Turkish language courses online, either live or self-paced. TÖMER (Turkish Language Teaching Center) offers high-quality courses in Turkish, and you can take classes through Istanbul or Ankara universities.

Local Language Schools

If you're in a city with a Turkish-speaking population, you may find local language schools offering Turkish classes.

10. Be Consistent and Patient

Learning Turkish, like any language, requires consistent practice. Set aside dedicated time daily or weekly to study and practice. Celebrate small victories, such as understanding a sentence in a TV show or holding a basic conversation.

Recommended Learning Path

1. Beginner Phase (1-3 months) Focus on learning basic vocabulary, greetings, and essential phrases. Get familiar with Turkish sounds, vowel harmony, and simple sentence structure.
2. Intermediate Phase (3-6 months) Move into more complex grammar (verb conjugations, cases, tenses). Start forming more detailed sentences and hold basic conversations.
3. Advanced Phase (6+ months) Engage in more immersive experiences like watching Turkish media without subtitles, writing essays, or having extended conversations.

To learn Turkish effectively, combine grammar study, vocabulary building, and regular conversation practice with native speakers. Immerse yourself in the language through media, writing, and consistent speaking practice. Patience, consistency, and exposure are key to mastering Turkish over time.

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Thank you very much for your interest and visiting Dem Turkish Center bookstore. We hope our Turkish language courses and lessons will be very helpful for your Turkish studies.