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Beginners
So, you want to learn Turkish?
This page is a guide for absolute beginners of the Turkish language. It will help you find resources you need and show you the best way to start learning Turkish.
Why learn Turkish?
The Turkish language is more common than you would think, it is spoken as a first language in Turkey (obviously!), but is also spoken in many Eastern European countries including Greece, Iraq, Bulgaria, Croatia and Scandinavia. It is also spoken by several million immigrants in Countries in Western Europe such as Germany and the UK.
Try something different!
If you are adventurous and fancy a change, why not learn Turkish as a hobby rather than the traditional French or Spanish. Not only will it make you stand out from the crowd, you will get a great reception when you practice your Turkish when in Turkey!
It all looks so complicated, where do I start?!
The first step in learning Turkish is to buy a good Turkish dictionary and phrasebook. You will come across lots of unfamiliar words when starting out, so it's a good idea to have a dictionary at hand for quick access. Check out these books below for a decent dictionary.
Ok, I have the dictionary. Now what?
Now the next step is to check out the 'Basic Information' page and learn what you need to know about the Turkish language. Then go to the second block of links on the left, the 'Grammar - Essentials' block and work your way down the list. This will teach you about the rules of grammar you will need to know.
Done! Now what?
The next step is to start working your way down the links on the left and right, which will teach you about different tenses, how to express yourself, useful words and more. As you cover more subjects, the information should slowly sink in and you will become more confident in your learning. If you are still having trouble, why not check out the Totally Turkish Worksheets which offer a more detailed explanation with more exercises.
Right, I've gone through all the pages on your site and have learnt all about the basics of the Turkish language and grammar. Now what do I do?
If you feel all the information has sunk in, try having some fun with the language games or learn some tasty Turkish recipes? You can also help contribute to the site in the forum or the 'Learner Of The Month' page.
If you feel you are ready to more on to a more advanced stage, check out the books below.
