Email Turkish@rumiforum.org for details
See also testimonials from previous students:
http://learnturkishdc.blogspot.com/2011/11/testimonials-from-past-students.html
Showing posts with label tutor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutor. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
NEW enrollments starting early April 2013
NEW enrollments starting early April 2013 for next round of classes.
Don't miss out. If interested please contact turkish@rumiforum.org
Don't miss out. If interested please contact turkish@rumiforum.org
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Learn Turkish or else
| While trying to work out the qualities necessary for making a go of life as an expat in Turkey, I’ve already poured cold water on the idea that only those with omnivorous appetites are likely to succeed. Flexibility? | |
| That would have topped my list of the requisite assets even if globalization might be making it less essential than it once was. So what do other expats think? In my straw poll the answer that came over loudest and clearest was “no matter how hard it is, you must get to grips with the Turkish language.” Bodrum resident and British author of the comic expat memoir “Perking the Pansies” Jack Scott was quite clear on the matter. “Learning the lingo, at least conversationally, will really help,” he said, a view echoed by Marc Guillet, a Dutch journalist who lives in İstanbul and runs the enjoy-istanbul.com website. “The absolute number one is, do your best to learn the language. Yes, it is difficult, but whatever your level, when you start to speak some Turkish all doors will be opened for you, because trying to speak Turkish shows Turkish people that you respect their culture and language.” The same reply came in from all over the country. Duke Dillard, the American author of the CaptivatingCappadocia.com blog, recently moved to Çavuşin in Cappadocia with his family after teaching in Ankara. “I have found that the more Turkish an expat knows, the better the experience. When we lived in Ankara finding English speakers was easy, but as we learned more Turkish our relationships deepened and our understanding of what was going on around us, the hidden cues, became more clear.” A long-time Selçuk resident also listed linguistic skills as essential: “The more and more easily one can understand and communicate, the easier and more fulfilling life is likely to be. Being on the outside of what’s going on is stressful. I don’t know how couples with discordant and low levels of [understanding of] each other’s languages ever survive.” Gazipaşa resident Estella Saville, who used to lead wildflower tours of the country, said the same thing: “Above all, learn the language. Turkish people are so kind and generous and will excuse all your foibles, but if you learn a little Turkish it will go a long way.” This won’t come as good news to the many expats for whom learning a new language is akin to taking up brain surgery, or for those who have moved to Turkey later in life when it’s hard to pick up a whole new vocabulary, but there couldn’t be such unanimity of opinion were it not the case that learning Turkish is crucial. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that not knowing the language is the single biggest obstacle to settling in, now that so many of the creature comforts of home are as readily available in Turkey as anywhere else. No one expects you to become word perfect, and most Turks are extremely forgiving of even the most comical linguistic blunders. But flip the situation over and imagine what it must be like for people living in your own home country without being able to speak the language. Just think how much they miss out on. Of course it’s just the same here. | |
Monday, April 2, 2012
Discovering İstanbul’s hidden treasures
 | |
| Ifly journalist Mike Raanhuis notes that İstanbul is still not a very common destination and therefore has many hidden treasures to write about. | |
| Much of any airplane trip is spent killing time in eager anticipation of arriving at your desired destination, sometimes by watching a movie, sometimes by simply flipping through an in-flight magazine. | |
| These magazines usually feature articles on the airline's various destinations, accompanied by beautiful photography and lavish page design, making for a thoroughly enjoyable read. And every so often you gain new insights about a certain location, be it a city or an entire country, as the magazine takes you on a journey to discover the hidden treasures a travel reporter has uncovered for you to find once you touch down. Today's Zaman sat down with one such reporter, Dutch journalist Mike Raanhuis, who concluded such a treasure hunt in İstanbul on Thursday for Royal Dutch Airlines' (KLM) iFly Magazine. Who chooses the destinations Raanhuis will write about? Does he get to decide himself? “Not really,” he was quick to answer, “Although I did hand in a list at the beginning of this year.” “This time around, the decision to do a story on İstanbul was made by the editorial staff of iFly Magazine,” he said. When Raanhuis came to İstanbul once before, he did not have the opportunity to get a thorough idea of the city. “I was here for just 24 hours earlier this year, so I didn't get much of a chance to see the city. I did do a Bosporus tour, which was very impressive,” Raanhuis recalled. The prospect of returning to İstanbul was thus very exciting for the Dutch journalist, as his previous visit left him curious. “In my opinion İstanbul is not a very common destination yet, which means there is still a lot for people to discover here. More so than, say, in Paris, where it is very hard to find those hidden treasures that you look for when you do an article about a city,” he explained. So what makes an article? What is Raanhuis' mission when he sets out on behalf of iFly Magazine? According to Raanhuis, that mission is twofold, as he has to balance the requirements of iFly Magazine's format, which means the article should feature some of a city's cultural aspects as well as featuring a culinary component, while showcasing the modern face of the city, with trying to give readers his personal take. “I want to inspire the readers,” he explains, adding: “I want to be able to show readers something they haven't seen before, or a part of the city they would not have considered going to, had it not been for my article.” What then is his secret for inspiring his readers? In order to inspire, Raanhuis needs to be inspired himself. “That's why I try and talk to locals,” he tells us. “To get their advice on where to go, to have them guide me through their city. It has taken me to places where not many tourists have gone before, which ties in with one of the things iFly Magazine sets out to achieve, which is to surprise even the more seasoned travelers and visitors of a given city, in this case İstanbul.” What has Raanhuis been told to go and see by the İstanbul locals? A whole variety of things, as it turns out. It depended, however, on who he talked to. “The manager of my hotel recommended I go to Bebek and have breakfast there, after which I should just stroll along the shores of the Bosporus. Or to roam the streets of Galata, where, apparently, the best hamburgers in the city are served. Another person suggested I visit Moda and check out Bağdat Caddesi in Kadıköy,” he elaborated. But does Raanhuis solely take the advice of locals? “No, I also do research at home before leaving. You have to, of course, as it helps a lot to get a better understanding of where I will be going. Last night, for instance, I had dinner at a fabulous restaurant [Sunset Grill & Bar] that I had picked myself because of its view and the very good reviews of its dishes.” In trying to put together his schedule for İstanbul, Raanhuis encountered efficiency's greatest foe in İstanbul: traffic. “I did not expect İstanbul to be so big or the traffic so heavy,” he says, laughing. “But seriously, I did a lot of great things. I visited Moda, where I took some really nice photographs. Dinner was also amazing, as I said. I strolled through Cihangir, had tea there and walked over to Tünel, exploring all those little streets that snake through the neighborhood. I ended up on some roof terrace [Balkon İstanbul], which was recommended to me when I talked to some locals at a bar. Those are the things I look for, suggestions like that. The next morning I went to Sultanahmet to take some pictures at a hamam, which is very unusual and I was lucky to have been given permission to do so. It did mean, however, that I had to be there at six in the morning [sighs]. On the other hand, that meant I had time to visit the fish market in Kadıköy. The afternoon I spent at both the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar.” We told Raanhuis that the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar aren't really what one would call hidden treasures. Doesn't that conflict with his earlier statements? “I have to balance the known and the unknown,” he explains. “That is why, for instance, I chose not to go to the Galata Tower or do another Bosporus tour. And whatever your opinion on Sultanahmet, tourists are bound to end up there anyway so I might as well try and find some of the lesser known sites there, too, or highlight elements of familiar sights such as the Grand Bazaar, and put them in a new perspective,” the journalist said. As Raanhuis made for his plane we asked him what, in his opinion, makes a city trip a successful one. “For me personally it would be when a city captures my imagination, when it gets under my skin. On a professional level I would say that my trip is a success if the article manages to surprise even our more seasoned travelers.” Mike Raanhuis is an independent journalist and photographer. He has written features for KLM's iFly Magazine, various lifestyle magazines and car magazines. On top of that he conducts interviews and does corporate photography. His work can be seen on his website, www.miketekstenbeeld.nl iFly Magazine is the largest digital magazine in the Netherlands, published by KLM and available in a multitude of languages. It is read by some 1.5 million KLM customers and strives to offer its readers a “unique and authentic view on the most special destinations, people, cultures, business opportunities and international lifestyle.” | |
Friday, November 25, 2011
Testimonials from Past students
Rumi Forum's Turkish Language classes has become the most popular Turkish course in the Washington DC area. We have students coming from DC, Virginia and Maryland to study with us. Our teachers provide professional teaching of the Turkish language and culture. The popularity of the classes has lead to 4 levels of Turkish being taught.
Kindly review the below testimonials from past students and you will realize why they have chosen us for their Turkish language needs. If you have any queries please email us on turkish@rumiforum.org
SEE LATEST COMMENTS APPENDED AT THE BOTTOM
------------
The class was well-organized and informative Good teacher, good students, and good tea. It's a very flexible and good quality.
------------
The Turkish course is excellent, very useful and I am certainly going to continue taking the next level. I think it's ideal for adults with a busy schedule, and I have still learned a lot and made a lot of progress.
Jonathan
------------
This is a wonderful foundations class that sets the right tone between language learning and cultural learning. I loved the pace and the class participation. I thought it was perfect.
I absolutely want to continue to the next level class. I loved the teacher and how well he explained everything. Always very clear and logical, always time for questions and making sure everyone understands before moving forward. At the same time, keeping up an appropriate pace of progress.
I would totally recommend this class to anyone and think it's a great way to learn a new language and meet other people that have the same goals. Really looking forward to the next session when it begins!
Natalie
------------
My impressions of the Turkish course are positive ones. Not only are we learning Turkish grammatical and conversational skills, but we are also building community. We have Turkish tea with crackers and cookies during every class and often reflect on cultural euphemisms and proverbs in Turkish language and culture. When I step into my Turkish class at Rumi Forum, I do not feel like I'm stepping into a classroom, but rather, into a community of intercultural learning.
I would certainly consider taking a higher level class. If such a class was to be offered.
I liked the non-classroom atmosphere of this course that greatly contributed to the facilitation of learning, both linguistically and culturally. I also especially enjoyed the diverse backgrounds of the students.
I would definitely recommend this course to others! Rumi Forum provides a community of learning that facilitates an exchange of not only the Turkish language, but also of the Turkish culture. As both language and culture are intricately entwined, Rumi Forum is the best place to learn Turkish language and culture in DC.
Kristin
---------------------
My impressions were very positive. I think we learned a lot in a short period of time without it seeming overly burdensome. I found the homework to be quite manageable, but useful in learning the language. I liked having class once per week, as it was easier to fit in to my
Likes: fast pace, focus on speaking early on rather than just memorizing vocabulary words, opportunity to speak in class
I think we learned a lot at a manageable pace for a good price.
Diane
-------------------
Great course
It's once a week, so I can still have a life.
A lot of homework, but doable if once a week.
Great instructor.
Plenty of interaction.
Good groups of people taking these courses.
Rumi Forum creates a nice learning environment.
I would definitely recommend it to others. There are very few places in DC that teach Turkish and this one has more to offer than just Turkish instruction.
Masha
-------------------------
I found the course extremely informative and has provided me so far with good grounding in the Turkish language to continue on in learning the language. The pace of learning is also well balanced. The homework load, going over the homework in class, and the instructor's personable skills allowing students to ask questions about language and culture is an added value.
I like the instructor's pace in teaching. He goes over homework, provides ample time for questions and discussion, and then there is still more time to learn new material each week.
Yes I would recommend this class to others. I learned a lot in only the first introductory course, the class size is perfect which allows for more interaction with the instructor, and the instructor is extremely friendly.
Doha
--------------------------
Very helpful and good paced...The workbook is very helpful, and the instructor maintained a very good pace and atmosphere.
Eden
----------------------
I have learned more through these courses than the month I spent in Turkey taking language courses every day 3 hours a day.
Kenan bey is an outstanding language instructor; his delivery method of the curriculum is very effective! I'd like to continue my Turkish language courses with him.
[Would you recommend to others?] But of course! ...also because it's exceedingly difficult to find good Turkish language instructions anywhere else in town.
Fariba
----------------------
My impressions of the Turkish course was that it was a good introduction to the Turkish language. The cost was very reasonable, compared to average tuition costs in Washington D.C. There was a small class size, which contributed to student learning, and allowing the instructor to spend more one-on-one time with each student. The book we used was well-written, and was more interactive than simple rote memorization. Additionally, our instructor was available by email for additional language practice.
What I liked best about the course was the small class size and informal atmosphere.
I would recommend to others who want a short, introductory class in Turkish, and dislike the rigid formality of a school classroom. In addition to Turkish language, it is a good introduction to Turkish culture as well as a place to meet other DC area residents interested in learning about Turkey.
Charlie
----------------------
Good for adult learners - time, place, and flexibility
Likes: teaching style, teacher sympathy and encouragement, textbook, small class size, dedicated students, and delicious food
Allison
----------------------
I thought the class was really good. I think we learned a lot, and I feel more comfortable with the language. The pace was good, and the instructor did a good job of relating to the students.
I liked the pace and the material we covered. I liked the fact that we only met once per week, and that the location was Metro accessible. I liked the teacher's dedication, and the other students' enthusiasm.
I would recommend this class to others interested in studying Turkish. I think it is a really good value, and a good way to learn a new language.
Diane
----------------------
I really like the class a lot because I felt it was a happy medium between being intensive and low-key. It was a very relaxed atmosphere yet you felt pushed to do the homework and be prepared for every class.
(Taking a further course?)Yes, absolutely 100%. This was a wonderful way to learn and maintain my Turkish. The location and timing of the class was great and more importantly, Kenan Bey, is a wonderful teacher. I am so appreciative of his thought and care and he always made every class special with the cay and food - it was great!
I like very much how Kenan Bey incorporated elements of Turkish pop culture, expressions, songs, TV advertisements. I also like how he gave us homework and then optional extra work if we wanted to do more. He did not overload the homework and ensure we learned the weekly topic, yet gave the opportunity to learn more. I also really appreciated every week how he sent an email out following class to recap what was taught, repeat what we had for homework and give us a heads up as to what we would do the following week.
(Recommend to others?)Definitely for all the reasons that I stated above and because it is a great form in which to learn Turkish. Also, extremely affordable price and wonderful teacher. Thank you!!!
Jenifer
----------------------
The instructor was very professional and helpful. Wish we could have had our discussion groups to speak more. But I very much enjoyed the text book. Very helpful
Eden
----------------------
I thought the course was well designed, flow nicely, and was well taught. Both Serap and Kenan were great instructors.
I am interested in working through higher level Turkish courses
I really liked the content, pace and instruction of the course.
I would definitely recommend this course to others. My understanding and comfort with Turkish language and culture greatly increased because of the course.
Brian
----------------------
I was very happy with the course overall. Compared to other options for learning Turkish in DC outside of a university classroom, the Rumi Forum is a good option. The location is convenient for most people, the cost of the course is not prohibitive, and the quality of the teaching seems to be good.
Brandon
----------------------
Kindly review the below testimonials from past students and you will realize why they have chosen us for their Turkish language needs. If you have any queries please email us on turkish@rumiforum.org
SEE LATEST COMMENTS APPENDED AT THE BOTTOM
------------
The class was well-organized and informative Good teacher, good students, and good tea. It's a very flexible and good quality.
------------
The Turkish course is excellent, very useful and I am certainly going to continue taking the next level. I think it's ideal for adults with a busy schedule, and I have still learned a lot and made a lot of progress.
Jonathan
------------
This is a wonderful foundations class that sets the right tone between language learning and cultural learning. I loved the pace and the class participation. I thought it was perfect.
I absolutely want to continue to the next level class. I loved the teacher and how well he explained everything. Always very clear and logical, always time for questions and making sure everyone understands before moving forward. At the same time, keeping up an appropriate pace of progress.
I would totally recommend this class to anyone and think it's a great way to learn a new language and meet other people that have the same goals. Really looking forward to the next session when it begins!
Natalie
------------
My impressions of the Turkish course are positive ones. Not only are we learning Turkish grammatical and conversational skills, but we are also building community. We have Turkish tea with crackers and cookies during every class and often reflect on cultural euphemisms and proverbs in Turkish language and culture. When I step into my Turkish class at Rumi Forum, I do not feel like I'm stepping into a classroom, but rather, into a community of intercultural learning.
I would certainly consider taking a higher level class. If such a class was to be offered.
I liked the non-classroom atmosphere of this course that greatly contributed to the facilitation of learning, both linguistically and culturally. I also especially enjoyed the diverse backgrounds of the students.
I would definitely recommend this course to others! Rumi Forum provides a community of learning that facilitates an exchange of not only the Turkish language, but also of the Turkish culture. As both language and culture are intricately entwined, Rumi Forum is the best place to learn Turkish language and culture in DC.
Kristin
---------------------
My impressions were very positive. I think we learned a lot in a short period of time without it seeming overly burdensome. I found the homework to be quite manageable, but useful in learning the language. I liked having class once per week, as it was easier to fit in to my
Likes: fast pace, focus on speaking early on rather than just memorizing vocabulary words, opportunity to speak in class
I think we learned a lot at a manageable pace for a good price.
Diane
-------------------
Great course
It's once a week, so I can still have a life.
A lot of homework, but doable if once a week.
Great instructor.
Plenty of interaction.
Good groups of people taking these courses.
Rumi Forum creates a nice learning environment.
I would definitely recommend it to others. There are very few places in DC that teach Turkish and this one has more to offer than just Turkish instruction.
Masha
-------------------------
I found the course extremely informative and has provided me so far with good grounding in the Turkish language to continue on in learning the language. The pace of learning is also well balanced. The homework load, going over the homework in class, and the instructor's personable skills allowing students to ask questions about language and culture is an added value.
I like the instructor's pace in teaching. He goes over homework, provides ample time for questions and discussion, and then there is still more time to learn new material each week.
Yes I would recommend this class to others. I learned a lot in only the first introductory course, the class size is perfect which allows for more interaction with the instructor, and the instructor is extremely friendly.
Doha
--------------------------
Very helpful and good paced...The workbook is very helpful, and the instructor maintained a very good pace and atmosphere.
Eden
----------------------
I have learned more through these courses than the month I spent in Turkey taking language courses every day 3 hours a day.
Kenan bey is an outstanding language instructor; his delivery method of the curriculum is very effective! I'd like to continue my Turkish language courses with him.
[Would you recommend to others?] But of course! ...also because it's exceedingly difficult to find good Turkish language instructions anywhere else in town.
Fariba
----------------------
My impressions of the Turkish course was that it was a good introduction to the Turkish language. The cost was very reasonable, compared to average tuition costs in Washington D.C. There was a small class size, which contributed to student learning, and allowing the instructor to spend more one-on-one time with each student. The book we used was well-written, and was more interactive than simple rote memorization. Additionally, our instructor was available by email for additional language practice.
What I liked best about the course was the small class size and informal atmosphere.
I would recommend to others who want a short, introductory class in Turkish, and dislike the rigid formality of a school classroom. In addition to Turkish language, it is a good introduction to Turkish culture as well as a place to meet other DC area residents interested in learning about Turkey.
Charlie
----------------------
Good for adult learners - time, place, and flexibility
Likes: teaching style, teacher sympathy and encouragement, textbook, small class size, dedicated students, and delicious food
Allison
----------------------
I thought the class was really good. I think we learned a lot, and I feel more comfortable with the language. The pace was good, and the instructor did a good job of relating to the students.
I liked the pace and the material we covered. I liked the fact that we only met once per week, and that the location was Metro accessible. I liked the teacher's dedication, and the other students' enthusiasm.
I would recommend this class to others interested in studying Turkish. I think it is a really good value, and a good way to learn a new language.
Diane
----------------------
I really like the class a lot because I felt it was a happy medium between being intensive and low-key. It was a very relaxed atmosphere yet you felt pushed to do the homework and be prepared for every class.
(Taking a further course?)Yes, absolutely 100%. This was a wonderful way to learn and maintain my Turkish. The location and timing of the class was great and more importantly, Kenan Bey, is a wonderful teacher. I am so appreciative of his thought and care and he always made every class special with the cay and food - it was great!
I like very much how Kenan Bey incorporated elements of Turkish pop culture, expressions, songs, TV advertisements. I also like how he gave us homework and then optional extra work if we wanted to do more. He did not overload the homework and ensure we learned the weekly topic, yet gave the opportunity to learn more. I also really appreciated every week how he sent an email out following class to recap what was taught, repeat what we had for homework and give us a heads up as to what we would do the following week.
(Recommend to others?)Definitely for all the reasons that I stated above and because it is a great form in which to learn Turkish. Also, extremely affordable price and wonderful teacher. Thank you!!!
Jenifer
----------------------
The instructor was very professional and helpful. Wish we could have had our discussion groups to speak more. But I very much enjoyed the text book. Very helpful
Eden
----------------------
I thought the course was well designed, flow nicely, and was well taught. Both Serap and Kenan were great instructors.
I am interested in working through higher level Turkish courses
I really liked the content, pace and instruction of the course.
I would definitely recommend this course to others. My understanding and comfort with Turkish language and culture greatly increased because of the course.
Brian
----------------------
I was very happy with the course overall. Compared to other options for learning Turkish in DC outside of a university classroom, the Rumi Forum is a good option. The location is convenient for most people, the cost of the course is not prohibitive, and the quality of the teaching seems to be good.
Brandon
----------------------
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thinking in different languages
 | |
| A friend who was visiting from the United States listened to me speaking Turkish with merchants in the Grand Bazaar and then translating our negotiations in Turkish into English for his benefit. “How do you talk in one language and then translate into another one so quickly?” he asked. “What language do you think in while you're talking?” | |
Thursday, July 14, 2011
ENROLMENTS for September 2011 have commenced !
Enrolments for September 2011 have commenced !
Email us at turkish@rumiforum.org for full details, application forms, fees and dates.
Classes will be held at Rumi Forum in Washington DC.
HOSGELDINIZ....
Email us at turkish@rumiforum.org for full details, application forms, fees and dates.
Classes will be held at Rumi Forum in Washington DC.
HOSGELDINIZ....
Saturday, May 7, 2011
[Preparing yourself for success in language learning] Creating an environment conducive to learning
Last week, you learned that everyone processes new information in different ways, and that being aware about how you best learn is helpful when planning your Turkish studies.
Once you discover your personal learning style, you are halfway to the finish line. The next step is to create a learning environment that properly reflects your personal learning style. When you take the time to set up a viable learning environment, you make it easy to study. That ease can affect how you feel about learning which can lead to increased motivation and success in reaching your learning goals.
Creating a study space
Even in the smallest of living arrangements, we can usually find a place to commandeer for a special purpose. I have seen many a meditation corner or a reading corner in my friends' houses, so why not a study corner?
Create your own study corner as a direct reflection of your personal learning style. If you need a soft comfortable chair and low lighting or if you need a small desk with a hard straight-back chair -- set it up. If you need music in the background, make sure that you have music ready to go -- whether it be in the form of a stereo setup or an mp3 player on your desk. Adjust the lighting, furniture, sound/silence to offer you an optimum learning environment. If you are a morning person, try to do some studying in the morning before you get into your day; if you are a night owl, plan to get in some study time before you go to bed.
In addition to altering your physical environment, make sure that your method of studying reflects your personal learning strategies. If you are a visual learner, have text and pictures on hand to read/look at while learning; consider keeping a blank pad of paper to doodle and draw on or on which you can paste images. If you are an auditory learner, working with audio lessons or audio/visual materials will help your valuable study time to be that much more productive.
The bottom line is that the more carefully and consciously you set up your learning activities and learning environment, the faster you will reach the success you desire.
Finding the time to study
One of the biggest complaints I hear from my clients is, “I don't have the time to study.” But, if you think about it, we adults always tend to find time for the things we love to do -- even when we have “no” time.
In this busy world, many of us tend to be over extended in our work and social life. We “want” to learn Turkish, but we just “can't find the time.”
One of the first things you want to do is to make an honest self-assessment. Do you really want to learn Turkish? Many times we want the end goal (a second language, money, a skill), but when we hunker down and honestly contemplate it, we might realize that while we want the goal, we really don't want to go through the hard work of obtaining that goal. So ask yourself a question, “Do I really want to embark on this journey?”
If the answer is yes, then you have to find the time.
Sit down with yourself and think about the things you must do- no matter what. I'm sure a couple of things came up such as eating, sleeping, hydrating yourself, but if you think harder you will come up with going to work/school, paying rent, cleaning your house- the list is very personal. Now consciously add “learning Turkish” to the list and do it! Think of it as a contract that you will not breach. Make sure you study a little bit every day. Aim for a minimum of 15 minutes. You will find that some days you'll spend more time, but strive to at least meet the minimum.
If you are truly over budgeted on time, then use that 15 minutes to review information you already “know.” Practice the alphabet by spelling words you know; practice numbers and vocabulary by counting and/or naming things in your home; jot useful phrases onto blank index cards and run through them as quickly as you can- time yourself, make it a game!
Visualization technique: Putting yourself in the zone
A fun technique for getting you ready to learn is called visualization. The phrase “in the zone” is a colloquial saying that refers to when a person's entire being (intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual) is harnessed to make possible the ultimate state of facility, confidence and joy while pursuing a desired goal. In psychology, the term flow is sometimes used to describe the efficient flow of brain energy and focus that leads to success. To get in the zone and to increase the flow for learning Turkish, consider trying the following visualization technique:
In this exercise, you will be practicing the basics of brain engagement that start with complete diaphragmatic breathing to get you in the zone for learning Turkish. The goal is for you to create a vision of your highest level of desired Turkish success while feeling a sense of relaxed, yet energized cognitive focus and an emotional state of confident contentment.
Find a comfortable seated position. Relax your body. Close your eyes. Imagine your highest level of Turkish success while breathing in deeply through your nose and smiling in a relaxed manner. Imagine letting go of obstacles to your learning while breathing out through your nose. Repeat this breathing pattern five to 10 times each day to develop the brain chemicals to get you ready to achieve your highest level of Turkish learning.
While this technique may come off to some as “new age,” rest assured that scientists have found that visualization techniques such as the one I propose here have physiological effects. That is, when you are relaxed, alert and content, your thoughts directly affect brain neurochemistry and therefore shape future thoughts and subsequent actions -- including learning.
So far, you have discovered how you learn best, how to create an environment that supports your goals and how to find the time and the motivation to proceed. Next week we will explore short and long-term goals as well as how to find, make and use various language-learning resources so that you get the most out of them.
Monday, May 2, 2011
[Learning Turkish] Setting goals and using materials
When learning Turkish, it’s important to have goals set out like a road map so that you can make sure you are heading in the direction that you want to go. When you set every action, activity and study material next to your goals, you will know immediately if that particular activity will keep you going in the right direction. Prior to setting your goals, consider what you want to learn and how long you want it to take.
It’s a good idea to be as specific as possible. “I want to be fluent” is very ambiguous -- what do you mean by “fluent”? Speaking correctly? Speaking quickly? Having a reduced accent? It may be more helpful to say, “In six months, I see myself having a conversation with a native speaker comfortably.” You could even narrow that down to “having a conversation about (fill in the blank).”
Long-term goals
Long-term goals are those you set to attain six months or a year. Set them, keep them in mind, but don’t obsessively dwell on them; staring at the top of a huge mountain can be very unmotivating, whereas planning to tackle the mountain one day at a time will make the task less daunting. When it comes to undertaking something as huge as learning a foreign language -- especially Turkish with all of its postpositions -- consider taking on the learning one short-term goal at a time.
For example, if your goal is to have a comfortable conversation with a native speaker, you’ll want to make sure that every step you take will lead you to that goal; that is, you’ll need it keep it in mind. However, if you compare where you are now relative to the end goal on a daily basis, i.e., dwell on it, it can feel like an impossible feat and lead you to give up.
That is why it’s important to set the end goal and then immediately set short-term goals that will lead you step-by-step to the fluency you desire.
Short-term goals
Short-term goals help you take the baby steps you need to inch toward your long-term goals. Today you might set the goal of memorizing a few common phrases or even pieces of phrases that you could use when speaking with others.
For example, it might be enough for one day to learn how to say, “On Monday, On Tuesday, etc.” (pazartesi günü, salı günü, etc.). Later you can expand that to “Pazartesi günü ne yapıyorsun?” (What are you doing on Monday?)
At your next study session you might decide to watch part of a favorite movie in Turkish to practice your listening skills. Again, it’s not necessary to understand every utterance. If you can understand one sentence or phrase -- that’s great. Listen to it again and again until it becomes second nature to you.
As you expand your vocabulary into phrases, try using them in a variety of different situations to practice them. Ultimately, having a repertoire of common phrases will lead to your long-term goal of fluency.
Materials
The next thing you need to do is to make your learning more interactive. There is nothing more boring than trying to do grammar exercises in a book or to memorize vocabulary that you will never use.
Books
As you work with language books, take the time to jot down the phrases that seem most applicable to your daily life -- that is, those phrases you feel are useful. Keep in mind that we communicate in phrases, not individual vocabulary words. So, if you see a vocabulary word that you think will be helpful, try putting it into a useful phrase so that you can use it more readily.
For example, the word “tuz” (salt) can be very useful. But can you imagine a conversation in English where you pointed at someone and said, “Salt.” They would probably get the message, but it would feel awkward and may even be misinterpreted. However, “Tuz alabilir miyim?” (Can I have the salt?) would work perfectly.
If your vocabulary doesn’t come pre-packaged in little phrases, check with a native speaker to see how you can use it. As you become comfortable using that phrase, play around with it. Ask for a fork or a knife or a glass -- the combinations are endless.
If you are an audio learner, ask your native speaker friend to record the sentences you want to say. Listen and repeat as often as you can.
Audio recordings
Some Turkish language programs come with audio recordings. First, listen to these recordings as they were intended. Did they come with an exercise? Try to do the exercises as they were written. When you go back to the same material (remember, it is repetition that will help you on the road to fluency more than anything else), try making it into a dictation practice where you try to write down exactly what you hear. Practice spelling difficult words out.
For more advanced spelling practice, pretend you are spelling the word on the telephone. Much like we say, “That’s C as in Charlie, E as in echo,” etc., Turks use cities. So if you want to spell out your name (as I often do), you need to know that Brooks is “Bursa, Rize, Ordu, Ordu, Kayseri, Samsun.” For the complete alphabet go to http://www.radyoamatorleri.com/fonetik-alfabeler-t208.0.html (By the way, I have also heard, “Bursa’nın Besi, Rize’nin Resi,” etc.)
Conversations
When listening to conversations, try to copy the intonation of the speaker as well as the pronunciation. (Again, investing in a recording device can come in handy here.) There is a song to every language and, believe it or not, many native speakers process the song of the language with equal importance as the words themselves. News and weather broadcasts offer real-life examples of dramatic Turkish pronunciation. Another way to learn the music of Turkish is to listen to your favorite English speaking movie dubbed in Turkish. Because you know the storyline, it will be easier to focus on the intonation patterns rather than the translation. Finally, listening to Turkish music allows you to practice intonation patterns with the assistance of music that will guide your pronunciation while reinforcing vocabulary terms.
Once you know what you want to accomplish over the next six months to a year, and break the goal into smaller steps, consider the materials you have. Use the ideas and examples presented in this article to help get you on the road to your language learning success.
The next step is to find learning partners, instructors, programs, or other means of advancing your current knowledge of Turkish. It’s so easy to learn Turkish without spending a lot of money -- a great deal of language-learning resources are at your fingertips. Next week, we will explore some of those resources.
SOURCE: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-240506-learning-turkish-setting-goals-and-using-materials.html
It’s a good idea to be as specific as possible. “I want to be fluent” is very ambiguous -- what do you mean by “fluent”? Speaking correctly? Speaking quickly? Having a reduced accent? It may be more helpful to say, “In six months, I see myself having a conversation with a native speaker comfortably.” You could even narrow that down to “having a conversation about (fill in the blank).”
Long-term goals
Long-term goals are those you set to attain six months or a year. Set them, keep them in mind, but don’t obsessively dwell on them; staring at the top of a huge mountain can be very unmotivating, whereas planning to tackle the mountain one day at a time will make the task less daunting. When it comes to undertaking something as huge as learning a foreign language -- especially Turkish with all of its postpositions -- consider taking on the learning one short-term goal at a time.
For example, if your goal is to have a comfortable conversation with a native speaker, you’ll want to make sure that every step you take will lead you to that goal; that is, you’ll need it keep it in mind. However, if you compare where you are now relative to the end goal on a daily basis, i.e., dwell on it, it can feel like an impossible feat and lead you to give up.
That is why it’s important to set the end goal and then immediately set short-term goals that will lead you step-by-step to the fluency you desire.
Short-term goals
Short-term goals help you take the baby steps you need to inch toward your long-term goals. Today you might set the goal of memorizing a few common phrases or even pieces of phrases that you could use when speaking with others.
For example, it might be enough for one day to learn how to say, “On Monday, On Tuesday, etc.” (pazartesi günü, salı günü, etc.). Later you can expand that to “Pazartesi günü ne yapıyorsun?” (What are you doing on Monday?)
At your next study session you might decide to watch part of a favorite movie in Turkish to practice your listening skills. Again, it’s not necessary to understand every utterance. If you can understand one sentence or phrase -- that’s great. Listen to it again and again until it becomes second nature to you.
As you expand your vocabulary into phrases, try using them in a variety of different situations to practice them. Ultimately, having a repertoire of common phrases will lead to your long-term goal of fluency.
Materials
The next thing you need to do is to make your learning more interactive. There is nothing more boring than trying to do grammar exercises in a book or to memorize vocabulary that you will never use.
Books
As you work with language books, take the time to jot down the phrases that seem most applicable to your daily life -- that is, those phrases you feel are useful. Keep in mind that we communicate in phrases, not individual vocabulary words. So, if you see a vocabulary word that you think will be helpful, try putting it into a useful phrase so that you can use it more readily.
For example, the word “tuz” (salt) can be very useful. But can you imagine a conversation in English where you pointed at someone and said, “Salt.” They would probably get the message, but it would feel awkward and may even be misinterpreted. However, “Tuz alabilir miyim?” (Can I have the salt?) would work perfectly.
If your vocabulary doesn’t come pre-packaged in little phrases, check with a native speaker to see how you can use it. As you become comfortable using that phrase, play around with it. Ask for a fork or a knife or a glass -- the combinations are endless.
If you are an audio learner, ask your native speaker friend to record the sentences you want to say. Listen and repeat as often as you can.
Audio recordings
Some Turkish language programs come with audio recordings. First, listen to these recordings as they were intended. Did they come with an exercise? Try to do the exercises as they were written. When you go back to the same material (remember, it is repetition that will help you on the road to fluency more than anything else), try making it into a dictation practice where you try to write down exactly what you hear. Practice spelling difficult words out.
For more advanced spelling practice, pretend you are spelling the word on the telephone. Much like we say, “That’s C as in Charlie, E as in echo,” etc., Turks use cities. So if you want to spell out your name (as I often do), you need to know that Brooks is “Bursa, Rize, Ordu, Ordu, Kayseri, Samsun.” For the complete alphabet go to http://www.radyoamatorleri.com/fonetik-alfabeler-t208.0.html (By the way, I have also heard, “Bursa’nın Besi, Rize’nin Resi,” etc.)
Conversations
When listening to conversations, try to copy the intonation of the speaker as well as the pronunciation. (Again, investing in a recording device can come in handy here.) There is a song to every language and, believe it or not, many native speakers process the song of the language with equal importance as the words themselves. News and weather broadcasts offer real-life examples of dramatic Turkish pronunciation. Another way to learn the music of Turkish is to listen to your favorite English speaking movie dubbed in Turkish. Because you know the storyline, it will be easier to focus on the intonation patterns rather than the translation. Finally, listening to Turkish music allows you to practice intonation patterns with the assistance of music that will guide your pronunciation while reinforcing vocabulary terms.
Once you know what you want to accomplish over the next six months to a year, and break the goal into smaller steps, consider the materials you have. Use the ideas and examples presented in this article to help get you on the road to your language learning success.
The next step is to find learning partners, instructors, programs, or other means of advancing your current knowledge of Turkish. It’s so easy to learn Turkish without spending a lot of money -- a great deal of language-learning resources are at your fingertips. Next week, we will explore some of those resources.
SOURCE: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-240506-learning-turkish-setting-goals-and-using-materials.html
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Preparing yourself for success in language learning - Learning styles: a major key to learning
Success in learning a new language has to be carefully thought out and planned.
If you dive into it without thinking about it, your language learning endeavor has a strong possibility of falling to the wayside to join the ranks of started diets and paid-for gym memberships. An often overlooked, yet vital aspect, of success in learning new information is understanding one’s personal learning style.
Learning styles (sometimes also called strategies) refer to the way an individual processes new information. There is no one-size-fits-all way of learning a language. Most of us utilize several learning strategies when we encounter new information.
Volumes have been written about this subject, but for our purposes, we’ll look at some of the key aspects. As you read about the learning styles and strategies mentioned here, take a moment to think back about the things you have learned over your lifetime. Try to remember how you best processed the information. Then imagine you are about to learn something new and difficult and slowly mull over each of the following learning styles -- which one describes you? Note your response and refer to it in the subsequent articles in this series about learning languages.
The five dimensions of learning styles we will consider for this article are:
1. Perceptual – how the brain receives information
2. Processing – how the brain processes information
3. Environmental – how the surroundings affect learning
4. Physical – how the body feels while learning
5. Emotional – how the mind feels while learning
The perceptual dimensions of learning are visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile. We generally use all of them when we are learning something new, but most adult learners have a favorite.
Visual learners need to see information before they can remember it. They notice visual details and can easily discriminate between words that look alike (yine/yeni). A visual learner usually says, “I need to see it before I can remember it.” or “Can you write that down for me?” If you are a visual learner, you may want to make sure you carry a pad and paper around with you at all times. Or you may want to take pictures of the language you see around you.
Auditory learners recall information much better after they have listened to it a few times. They can easily discriminate between words that sound similar (hesap/kesap). An auditory learner might record lectures and listen to them again on an mp3 player to better understand new information. If you find you recall information better after listening to it, consider buying a recording device much like journalists use for recording interviews. They can be found at Teknosa for about TL 100. You may also do better with an auditory method of learning such as the Pimsleur method.
Kinesthetic and tactile learners usually need to write down what they are learning a few times before it sticks in their mind. They also like to have physical contact with the information. Kinesthetic/tactile learners usually say, “I have to write it down before I can remember it.” They also do very well with flash cards, which they make themselves, and board games.
Processing dimensions of learning refer to left/right brain orientation. While many of us live somewhere in the middle, for learning new and difficult information we tend to favor one side over the other.
Left-brained learners love details. They want to know the rules, spelling and sounds. They love lists of words and conjugations. They prefer to study difficult words before reading a text and like to continuously monitor their progress. Left-brained learners also tend to want to know the methodology of a technique or approach for a learning task before undertaking it.
Right-brained learners tend to be spontaneous and creative; they are happy to dive right into a learning activity and get to the details later. They are comfortable with learning whole phrases such as “yoldayım” (I’m on my way) without being bothered with the grammatical rules that make up the utterance. Right-brained learners also do well with learning through songs and poems.
Environmental dimensions pertain to the set up of the learning environment in terms of lighting, sound, temperature and furnishings that ideally should match your unique learning style. Some people like a little background music when they study, for example, while others need absolute silence.
Physical dimensions refer to when and how a person best processes information. For example, you may be a morning person and therefore would be better studying in the morning. Additionally, some people like to sit in a soft comfy chair to study, while others need to sit at a desk with a straight-back chair. Also, a restless person might want to build in frequent breaks in the study process.
Emotional dimensions refer to each learner’s motivation. How self-motivated a person is can play a large role in the final outcome of learning a new language. If you think of learning Turkish as a chore or an impossible task, your brain will give you fight or flight chemicals. This may cause you to try to fight through the learning or to find ways to avoid studying Turkish. In either case, you will not achieve optimal learning. However, if you approach learning a new language as fun or interesting, you will receive the brain chemistry to match those thoughts – your brain will be fully engaged.
The next article in this series will be about how you can apply your personal learning styles to creating a study space and a practical schedule.
SOURCE: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-238932-preparing-yourself-for-success-in-language-learning---learning-styles-a-major-key-to-learning.html
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Turkish Classes in Washington DC, Rumi Forum
Our new promo video for our ever popular classes. Enjoy !
Read testimonials from past students:
http://learnturkishdc.blogspot.com/2011/11/testimonials-from-past-students.html
Also for the latest info on our courses visit:
http://www.rumiforum.org/frontpage/learn-turkish.html
Read testimonials from past students:
http://learnturkishdc.blogspot.com/2011/11/testimonials-from-past-students.html
Also for the latest info on our courses visit:
http://www.rumiforum.org/frontpage/learn-turkish.html
Friday, November 19, 2010
Enrolments for Turkish classes in the Spring have started !
If you want to study, learn and speak Turkish in Washington DC - then look no further !
Enrolments for Turkish classes and lessons in the Spring have started !
*** NEW COURSES DATES ***
Visit the link below to get all the details...and start saying Merhaba ! Nasilsiniz ? and all those things you wanted to learn about Turkey and it's culture and language !
http://www.rumiforum.org/frontpage/learn-turkish.html
Enrolments for Turkish classes and lessons in the Spring have started !
*** NEW COURSES DATES ***
February 7 - April 1, 2011
Visit the link below to get all the details...and start saying Merhaba ! Nasilsiniz ? and all those things you wanted to learn about Turkey and it's culture and language !
http://www.rumiforum.org/frontpage/learn-turkish.html
Thursday, October 14, 2010
100 Most Useful Words in Turkish
100 Most Useful Words in Turkish
THE BELOW IS A SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE ABOVE WEB SITE....
Anyone can learn 100 words!™ These are the simplest Turkish lessons ever, quicker—and cheaper—than a Turkish language course in Istanbul. Even if you learn Turkish only this much, it's sure to make your trip to Turkey go more smoothly.
Print these pages, study a page each day, and in only 10 days you'll know more than 100 Turkish words and short phrases. You'll be surprised how useful they'll be every day during your travels.
Lesson 1: Greetings!
Hello, good morning, goodbye, what's your name, how are you...
Lesson 2: Pardon Me...
Pardon, yes, please, thanks, friend, what, how, who...
Lesson 3: Why, When, Which?
What's this, how much, how many, I want this, that, the other...
Lesson 4: New-Old, Hot-Cold
And/or, big/small, open/closed, good/bad, beautiful/ugly...
Lesson 5: Where Is...
Train station, bus terminal, toilet, hotel, restaurant, shower, bath...
Lesson 6: Bath & Tea
Luggage, laundry, lights, Turkish bath, toilet paper, tea, money, water...
Lesson 7: Going Places
Car, bus, train, ship, street, map, near/far, left/right, ticket...
Lesson 8: Days of the Week
Also day, daily, today, tomorrow, week...
Lesson 9: Months of the Year
Also month, year...
Lesson 10: Turkish Numbers
Cardinal, ordinal, one-half, million, billion, trillion, quadrillion...
The phonetic pronunciations in the right-hand column of each page are based on the sounds of Standard American English. See my Turkish Pronunciation Guide for more
THE BELOW IS A SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE ABOVE WEB SITE....
Anyone can learn 100 words!™ These are the simplest Turkish lessons ever, quicker—and cheaper—than a Turkish language course in Istanbul. Even if you learn Turkish only this much, it's sure to make your trip to Turkey go more smoothly.
Print these pages, study a page each day, and in only 10 days you'll know more than 100 Turkish words and short phrases. You'll be surprised how useful they'll be every day during your travels.
Lesson 1: Greetings!
Hello, good morning, goodbye, what's your name, how are you...
Lesson 2: Pardon Me...
Pardon, yes, please, thanks, friend, what, how, who...
Lesson 3: Why, When, Which?
What's this, how much, how many, I want this, that, the other...
Lesson 4: New-Old, Hot-Cold
And/or, big/small, open/closed, good/bad, beautiful/ugly...
Lesson 5: Where Is...
Train station, bus terminal, toilet, hotel, restaurant, shower, bath...
Lesson 6: Bath & Tea
Luggage, laundry, lights, Turkish bath, toilet paper, tea, money, water...
Lesson 7: Going Places
Car, bus, train, ship, street, map, near/far, left/right, ticket...
Lesson 8: Days of the Week
Also day, daily, today, tomorrow, week...
Lesson 9: Months of the Year
Also month, year...
Lesson 10: Turkish Numbers
Cardinal, ordinal, one-half, million, billion, trillion, quadrillion...
The phonetic pronunciations in the right-hand column of each page are based on the sounds of Standard American English. See my Turkish Pronunciation Guide for more
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