Turkish
Learning to speak Turkish is not an easy task, because the Turkish language is quite different from studying Indo-European languages in a sense that verbs come at the end of sentences, there is no gender, and there are eight vowels. However, with commitment and patience it is achievable.
There is no substitute for experiencing a language in its own environment to make the learning process faster and the language truly tangible. Istanbul is the most preferred place to learn Turkish, despite courses available in Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and a few other towns around the country. The quality of your class-based learning experience surely depends on the teacher and your classmates.
In some universities, Turkish is an elective course. In others it is a compulsory course. For all medicine and dentistry students, they must learn Turkish for two-thirds of their program.
English
Many universities provide programs available in English, either at undergraduate level or postgraduate level. If the program of study is in English, foundation universities and state universities place students with an institutional language proficiency score are placed in the undergraduate or postgraduate programs directly. However, if the student does not meet the required academic proficiency level, they are placed in the university’s language preparation program. All universities follow the policies set forth by the Turkish Ministry of Higher Education regarding English instructed programs.
Universities ensure that students are linguistically prepared for the English instructed academic programs. Students, when they are admitted to the English instructed programs at universities, are usually required to take a Proficiency Exam of the university to determine their English level. This is if they cannot submit any institutional language proficiency score. For students, whose English proficiency does not meet the desired level of the university, there is an intensive and accelerated language preparation program of study before they begin their undergraduate studies.
Pearson PTE
World Languages
Each university in Turkey is unique in its approach towards language and culture. While some institutions provide German, Russian, Chinese and Arabic as courses – some other universities provide Italian, Spanish, Latin and French. As these world languages differ from university to university, it is best to confirm with their options.
Due to having such world languages beyond the traditional English course, some Turkish universities provide a well-rounded cultured course alongside the language. These institutes are in agreement with the partnered country and are provided with funds, travel opportunities, authentic work and future career opportunities for the students.
