Short answer: At Active English, teaching languages in Ankara since 1987, Turkish for foreigners is taught by our Turkish department, Aktif TÖMER, as one-to-one private lessons only. You can study at our Kızılay, Batıkent, Bahçelievler or Çayyolu branch or online, at an intensive or standard pace, on days and at times that suit you. Levels follow the CEFR from A1 to C2, with special programs for YÖS preparation and Business Turkish. You can start with a free placement test and a free trial lesson (by appointment).
The Turkish version of this page is Ankara Türkçe Kursu.
How the Turkish Course Works
Because it is just you and your teacher, each lesson is set around you, and you do not have to wait for a group to fill up.
- Where: at whichever of our four Ankara branches is closest to you, or online.
- When: lesson days and times are agreed with you to fit your work, school or family schedule.
- Pace: intensive if you want to progress quickly, standard if you prefer a steadier rhythm.
- Content: the weight given to speaking, listening, reading and writing depends on your goal.
Lessons are mostly taught in Turkish, without a go-between language, starting with simple patterns and everyday situations. In special cases, your teacher can support the lesson in another language. Our teachers are experienced in foreign-language teaching techniques and speak at least one foreign language; some hold master's or doctoral degrees in the field. Alongside the language, we aim to introduce you to Türkiye and Turkish culture.
Turkish Course Levels (A1–C2)
The program follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), with three main stages and six levels:
| Level | Name | What you will be able to do |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Basic Turkish 1 | Introduce yourself, ask for help and communicate simply with people around you. |
| A2 | Basic Turkish 2 | Talk about plans, pass on news and manage in shops, hospitals and markets. |
| B1 | Intermediate Turkish 1 | Explain causes and effects, and give your views on projects briefly and clearly. |
| B2 | Intermediate Turkish 2 | Understand complex texts and give opinions on current topics and Turkish culture. |
| C1 | Advanced Turkish | Follow TV programs, use idioms and proverbs, and comment on texts outside your field. |
| C2 | Proficient Turkish | Speak fluently and accurately, express fine shades of meaning and recognise regional accents. |
How long a level takes depends on your pace, lessons per week and progress. Lessons use the Nazar Boncuğu Turkish teaching set, prepared by our school, with basic, intermediate and advanced books; the order and emphasis of topics can be adjusted to your goals.
Who Is the Course For?
The students we see most often are:
- Embassy staff who want to use Turkish in daily life and at work during their posting in Ankara.
- University students studying in Türkiye or preparing for a Turkish university.
- Foreigners working in Türkiye who want to use Turkish at work, in meetings and in official matters.
- Newcomers to Türkiye who want to manage shopping, hospital visits, school and neighbours in Turkish.
Special Programs: YÖS Preparation and Business Turkish
- YÖS preparation: for international students who want to enter a Turkish university. See our YÖS course page (in Turkish).
- Business Turkish: Turkish for meetings, correspondence, phone calls and working life. Companies can also arrange corporate Turkish training for their international employees.
Special programs are also one-to-one, with content and pace planned around your goal.
Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS) and the Turkish C1 Certificate
To study at a Turkish university or prove your Turkish at work, you may need a Turkish proficiency exam. Active English is not an exam centre: these exams are not held at our school and we do not take registrations. You prepare with us and apply directly to the exam provider. The details below come from official sources, checked on 5 November 2026.
Yunus Emre Institute's Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS)
- What it measures: reading, listening, writing and speaking in Turkish as a foreign or second language, based on CEFR descriptors.
- When and where: normally three times a year, in Türkiye and abroad; the Institute may change the number and dates of sittings. The third 2026 sitting was on 27 September 2026 (applications 3–28 August 2026), with Ankara as its exam centre in Türkiye.
- How to apply: online at sinav.yee.org.tr during the application period.
- Certificate: successful candidates receive a Turkish Proficiency Certificate at B2 or C1 level, depending on their score. It is valid for two years and carries the Q-mark of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe).
- What it is used for: according to the Institute, candidates who pass may be exempted from the Turkish preparatory class at universities in Türkiye, and can use the certificate in job applications and for academic goals.
The exam lasts 180 minutes. Reading, listening and writing are taken in a group; speaking is held individually.
| Section | Questions | Points | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 40 | 25 | 60 min |
| Listening | 30 | 25 | 45 min |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 25 | 60 min |
| Speaking | 8 | 25 | 15 min |
For upcoming dates, fees and exam centres, please check the Institute's TYS website.
How do you get a Turkish C1 certificate?
You prove C1 through an exam. If your TYS score corresponds to C1, you receive a C1-level certificate. Some universities' Turkish teaching centres (TÖMER) also run their own exams and may issue C1 certificates; formats and dates differ by centre. Under the principles of Türkiye's Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the university that admits an international student assesses their Turkish level according to its own conditions, so please ask the institution you are applying to which exam and level it accepts.
Preparing for the exam with us
TYS preparation can be planned at our branches, online or, on request, a mix of both. After a free placement test, we plan around your target level (for example B2 or C1), your exam date and the skills that need the most work.
How to Start
- Contact us: message us on WhatsApp in English or Turkish at +90 555 148 48 36, or call +90 312 418 79 73 (every day, 09:00–21:30). You can also use our contact page.
- Free placement test: your level can be assessed face to face or online. You can also take the Turkish test in our online placement test: 60 questions, about 10–20 minutes, no time limit. The result is not shown on screen; an education advisor shares your CEFR level and suggests where to start.
- Free trial lesson (by appointment): meet your teacher and see how the lessons work.
- Plan your program: together we choose a branch or online lessons, your lesson days and your pace, and you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Turkish lessons for foreigners taught in groups?
No. Turkish is taught only as one-to-one private lessons, so your days, times, pace and content are planned around you.
Can I start without any Turkish?
Yes. Lessons start from A1 and are mostly taught in Turkish; in special cases, your teacher can support you in another language.
Do the placement test and trial lesson cost anything?
No. The placement test is free, face to face or online. The trial lesson is free, by appointment.
How long does one level take?
It depends on your pace (intensive or standard), lessons per week and progress. After your placement test, we plan around your goal together.
Can I take a Turkish proficiency exam at Active English?
No. We are not an exam centre and do not take registrations; you prepare with us and apply to the exam provider yourself.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. When you complete a course, you receive an MEB-approved certificate (approved by the Turkish Ministry of National Education).
How much does the Turkish course cost?
Prices depend on the number of lessons, the pace and the program. For current prices, message us on WhatsApp in English or Turkish, or call +90 312 418 79 73.
