Learning Turkish the hotel way

In the depths of winter I trudged down to the Belediye building one Sunday to enquire about Turkish classes. The man in the office downstairs looked gloomy. “Is everything all right?” I asked.

“No,” he said. “Everyone has problems with their water. I’m so busy.” Minutes later and I was upstairs, hunkered down in the back row of the classroom like a naughty schoolgirl who’d forgotten to bring her notebook and hoped the teacher wouldn’t notice. These Turkish classes are one of Göreme’s most exciting new ventures. All of us know that to really get to grips with the country we need to learn the language but the trouble is that here in Cappadocia we’re hundreds of kilometers away from the language schools. Before settling here I went to a school in İstanbul to make a start with the grammar, but of course if you don’t live in İstanbul and have to stay in a hotel there that pushes the cost of studying beyond the means of most people. So most Cappadocian expats have had to make do with learning as they go along, which often means knowing lots of nouns but few verbs with which to join them up. Now the authorities have decided to help by providing a free class every week. You pay your money for a textbook from Ankara and away you go. Sadly, two hours of tuition a week is not really enough to make much headway and it was obvious to me that the absolute beginners were already struggling as the teacher introduced the present tense in its positive, negative and interrogative forms all in the one session. Back in İstanbul we had twenty hours of tuition a week and a whole week would have been dedicated to those three forms alone. The other inevitable problem is that having only one class means mixed-ability teaching, something that was very a la mode when I was training to be a teacher in the UK but that never seemed to work there either. So on the day that I sat in on the class, it was obvious that there were people there who were well on their way to fluency sitting alongside those who had still to master the alphabet. This is a problem with no very obvious solution in an area where there are not enough would-be students at the various different levels to justify splitting up the group. For myself, I suspected that coming to class might be good for revision but would soon become very frustrating. Instead I’m falling back on a novel way of expanding my vocabulary, albeit one that is unlikely to prove useful on my next visit to İstanbul. When the Hezen Hotel opened in Ortahisar I assumed that “Hezen” must be the surname of the owner but oh dear me, no! A “hezen,” it turns out, is one of the tree-trunk-style rafters that I have been staring up at in the ceiling of my own bedroom for the past 10 years without ever thinking what to call them. Now we have the new Gerdiş Evi hotel in Göreme. Gerdiş? Well, that is apparently the name given to the summer-houses which my neighbors used to use in the past when they wanted to stay overnight near their fields at harvest time. Pat Yale lives in a restored cave-house in Göreme in Cappadocia. SOURCE : http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=277176

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.”

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
----------------------

Insight into learning Turkish

As soon as we jumped in the taxi for the ride home from the airport, my sister pulled out her Turkish phrase book, eager to engage in conversation with the driver. She started with standard greetings such as “How are you?” but then she quickly ventured into questionable territory as she flipped to the “car” section of the phrase book and found such sentences as, “I've got a flat tire.” Luckily, her pronunciation was off enough that the driver didn't catch on and I was able to stop her before she pronounced other potential car disasters, which could have been seen by the driver as a bad omen.

Walking İstanbul’s land walls from Mermerkule to Ayvansaray

The polygonal towers at Ayvansaray

For many visitors to İstanbul the first glimpse they get of the historic city is from a fast-moving vehicle as their taxi races through the gap in the great Theodosian Land Walls that was made in the 1950s when the Sahil Yolu (Coast Road, later renamed Kennedy Caddesi) was created.

If they’re lucky, the lights at Mermerkule will be red and they will be given a moment to soak up the splendor of those magnificent, soaring walls. All too often, though, the lights are green and that glimpse will be merely fleeting.

Remembering my first day in Turkey

Granted, whilst my first ever day in Turkey lies many years in the past, I nevertheless chose the topic for today's article as I can imagine that expatriates old and new will, hopefully, fondly remember how things -- and themselves -- progressed after touchdown in this great location and may wish to compare how they had felt on day number one with a fellow expatriate's memories.

If we agree that there is love at first sight with regards to adult relationships and that there is perhaps a similar kind of chemistry between a city and the newcomer, it might be a fascinating undertaking to relate our first day impressions with our long-term evaluation: fallen in love straight away, eventually or not as of yet?

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?”