Although I adore living in Turkey, one part of life here I really struggle with is learning Turkish.
Is it strictly necessary?
Not always.
Many expats get by in Turkey without learning the language, but daily life becomes much smoother when you understand and speak Turkish. Language learners typically pass through three stages:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
I can read, write and converse at an intermediate level, but pronunciation remains my biggest hurdle. I often avoid saying words aloud because a single mispronounced vowel can change the meaning completely. So when Hands on Turkish invited me to review their course, I welcomed the chance to work on pronunciation.
Hands On Learn How to Speak Turkish Course
Hands on Turkish describes itself as a project funded by the EU that helps individuals and businesses learn Turkish while gaining insight into Turkish culture and business etiquette. The course is designed for travelers, students, professionals and anyone who wants to improve their language skills and cultural awareness.
The program offers more than 80 hours of content, roughly 600 audio files and about 300 pages of written material. Lessons are available through a web interface and mobile apps for smartphones and tablets. Best of all, the course is free and accessible without signing up.
Using the Hands on Turkish Website
There are two main courses available on the site:
- First Steps in Turkish — a beginner course designed for absolute beginners
- Hands on Turkish — a more comprehensive course aimed at business settings, with many lessons also useful for everyday life
First Steps in Turkish
The beginner course is divided into three modules:
- Welcome to Turkey
- First contacts
- A taxi to the office
Each module contains lessons that include dialogues, vocabulary lists, audio exercises, pronunciation practice, quizzes and cultural and language notes. The interface clearly explains each activity, and quizzes are automatically graded at the end. For new learners, this course is ideal, covering everyday greetings, common objects, and useful phrases for airports and hotels.
Hands on Turkish
The Hands on Turkish course includes the three beginner modules plus five additional modules that focus more on business and practical situations:
- A first business meeting
- The dinner
- The way back to the hotel
- In Bursa
- Getting down to business
Since pronunciation was my main problem, I tested the course’s pronunciation modules to see how effectively they addressed this challenge.
Pronunciation Lessons
The pronunciation exercises instruct you to listen to a recording that first presents a word or phrase at normal speed and then repeats it slowly so each sound is clear. You then record yourself and compare your pronunciation to the original. I found this method very effective — repeated practice helped me produce sounds closer to native pronunciation, though regular repetition is necessary to retain the improvements.
Tip: Repetition is key when learning a new language. Practice a word many times until it becomes familiar.
Is this course suitable for everyone?
Yes. The course progresses from single words to full sentences useful in both travel and business contexts. Even if you are learning Turkish casually, modules focused on professional settings still include phrases that are helpful in restaurants, hotels and everyday encounters.
Benefits of the course
- Teaches speaking, reading and writing Turkish
- Well-structured and comprehensive coverage of everyday situations
- Suitable for tourists and learners aiming for intermediate level
- Self-paced study with the option to repeat lessons as needed
- No books or stationery required — everything is managed through the online panel
- Free to use
If you want to try it yourself, visit the Hands on Turkish website and explore the lessons. Practice regularly, focus on pronunciation, and you’ll find your confidence improves quickly. Let me know how you get on and what you think of the course.