How long does it take for me to speak Turkish ?

• Well, it depends on your learning pace but usually at the end of Beginner's Level a student is able to deal with survival situations, such as ordering food, shopping, giving directions to taxi drivers, giving and asking about personal information and making some small talk. To watch TV and read papers requires 1-1.5 years.

I speak English, Spanish, Italian and French but somehow I can't speak Turkish. Why ?

• All the languages you speak belong to the same language family and are therefore related. Turkish is an Ural-Altaic language: the word order, vocabulary and grammar is different. However Turkish is related to Japanese, Korean and Finnish and has borrowed a lot of words from Arabic and Persian.

Why is Turkish so difficult ?

• Turkish is not difficult: it is just new and different. Enjoy it !

I learned all the grammar at another school so I can read and write but can't speak or understand. Why is that ?

• Grammar is only one part of a language. You need to start lessons which will focus on your speaking and listening skills as well.

I am too busy to do extra work outside of the class. Is it OK if I don't do homework ?

• If you are a private student you can negotiate with your teacher about homework but if you attend a class you need to do homework to be able to keep up with your classmates.

I speak Turkish in class but outside I always have trouble with it. Words don't come out !

• Don't be scared to make mistakes. There is no other way to practise your Turkish.