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Archive for the 'Turkish Podcasts' Category

The Best Turkish Podcasts for Language Learners

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Learning a new language takes a lot of time and effort. However, finding the time to learn a foreign language is pretty hard in today’s fast-paced world. Traditional wisdom says that you have to sit in a classroom for a certain number of hours, go through long vocabulary lists, read textbooks, and do a lot of exercises to practice. For some of you, this is not only time-consuming but also boring—especially for those who are auditory learners. 

But there’s good news: You can balance out your learning experience with entertainment by listening to podcasts. In fact, listening to a Turkish-language podcast is probably one of the most enjoyable ways to learn the language!

In this article, I will provide a list of the best Turkish podcasts for those wanting to learn the language. You can choose the ones that suit your needs and preferences, as I’ve made sure to include podcasts for every proficiency level and spanning a variety of themes. I will also discuss why learning with podcasts is a great idea and give you some tips on how you can make the most of your listening time. 

Once you start listening, I hope you find them useful and enjoy tuning in every day!

A Woman Singing Along to Something She’s Listening to on Her iPod

Enjoy the podcasts!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Turkish Table of Contents
  1. Why You Should Use Podcasts to Learn Turkish
  2. What are the 10 best podcasts for learning Turkish?
  3. Tips to Learn Turkish More Effectively with Podcasts
  4. TurkishClass101 – A Single Resource for All!

1. Why You Should Use Podcasts to Learn Turkish

I’m sure you’ve heard that visiting or living in a region where your target language is spoken is the fastest way to learn it. Have you ever wondered why? Because it provides full immersion, allowing you to acquire knowledge by listening to native speakers on a regular basis.

If you can get in the habit of listening to Turkish-language podcasts regularly, it will give you a similar experience. Furthermore, it will help you make better use of the time you’re sitting in traffic or doing housework.

Listening to a Podcast

What are the benefits?

Are you wondering what kind of benefits you’ll get when you start using podcasts to learn Turkish? If so, here’s a short list for you:

  • They will help you get exposed to more Turkish.
  • They will help you learn the correct pronunciation of words and improve your accent.

Pronunciation
  • They will improve your listening and comprehension skills in an entertaining way.
  • They will teach you certain sentence patterns you can use.
  • They will teach you how to use the grammar you’ve been learning.
  • They will help you enhance your vocabulary.
  • They will allow you to learn at your own pace.

Which skill levels are supported?

I have good news for you! There are a variety of podcasts available online. Whether you’re a newbie, an intermediate learner, or an advanced-level speaker, there’s a suitable podcast for you.

If you’re a beginner, podcasts will help you understand what Turkish sounds like and give you the tools to achieve good pronunciation right from the start. There are quite a number of Turkish-language podcasts you can listen to as a beginner.

When you reach an intermediate level in Turkish—which means you can introduce yourself, do shopping, and more—intermediate-level podcasts will help you think, speak, and understand in Turkish. They will also teach you more vocabulary and take your skills up to the next level.

More advanced Turkish learners will have a wide selection of podcasts to choose from on different topics. Such podcasts will help them carry out deeper conversations about science, literature, politics, the arts, etc.

2. What are the 10 best podcasts for learning Turkish?

Now that you know why podcasts are one of the best language learning tools, let’s take a look at our list of the best podcasts for Turkish learners! 

Podcasts for Beginners

TurkishClass101

  • Frequency: 1 episode per week 
  • Average Episode Length: 7 minutes
  • Active Since: November 2014

The TurkishClass101 podcast offers lessons for every type of learner! Each episode includes both linguistic information and cultural context, not to mention a number of tools you can use to enhance your listening experience and retain more information.  

Better still, you can create a free lifetime account on TurkishClass101.com to access additional content and materials: vocabulary lists, flashcards, an online dictionary, a voice recording tool, and more! You can read more about TurkishClass101 toward the end of the article. 

Let’s Learn Turkish

  • Frequency: 12 episodes per year
  • Average Episode Length: 4 minutes
  • Active Since: March 2018

This podcast is hosted by a native Turkish speaker and her Spanish-speaking partner, who is also learning Turkish. Each episode covers a different topic about the Turkish language, and the content gets harder as the episodes progress. 

Fluent in Turkish

  • Number of Episodes:
  • Average Episode Length: 10 minutes

Despite having a limited number of episodes, this is a great Turkish podcast for beginners as it covers basic vocabulary and grammar points. For example, you’ll learn how to greet people in Turkish and become familiar with common sentence patterns used in Turkey.

Learn Modern Turkish

  • Number of Episodes: 12 

This is another great Turkish podcast with only a limited number of episodes available. However, it’s a good resource for learning basic Turkish grammar and etymology. Furthermore, it also talks about Turkish history and culture.

Learn Turkish with LinguaBoost

  • Frequency: 1 episode per week
  • Average Episode Length: 12 minutes
  • Active Since: February 2020

Each episode of the Learn Turkish with LinguaBoost podcast contains information about a specific topic, focusing on words and phrases that you’ll use every day. This simple Turkish podcast is hosted by native speakers, and all of the material is translated.

Podcasts for Intermediate Learners

Learn Turkish with Turkish Coffee

  • Number of Episodes: 9
  • Average Episode Length: 10 minutes 

This podcast is fully in Turkish; it doesn’t contain any English. However, the host speaks slowly and clearly. The podcast also comes with a transcript for each episode, so you can follow along more easily. The host usually talks about tips for learning Turkish so that you can enhance your learning process. Best of all, tuning in every day will allow you to kill two birds with one stone: improving your Turkish listening skills and becoming acquainted with Turkish culture. 

Turkish Tea Time

  • Number of Episodes: 136
  • Average Episode Length: 15-20 minutes

This podcast is hosted by an American expat. Each episode covers a specific Turkish grammar rule, though the host often picks hilarious and taboo topics rather than ordinary ones. Although this podcast isn’t producing new episodes, there are many lessons already available for your listening pleasure. 

Podcasts for Advanced Students

SBS Turkish

The SBS Turkish podcast is from the Australian Special Broadcasting Service, which provides radio broadcasting in a number of different languages. This is a news podcast that covers events taking place around the world. You’ll sometimes hear English quotes in the news, which will make this podcast even easier for advanced learners. Be informed about what’s going on across the globe while gaining dominion over the Turkish language! 

Bilim Kazanı

  • Number of Episodes: 40

This Turkish podcast is hosted by three Harvard graduates who perform research and talk with experts about different science-related topics. The podcast hasn’t been active recently, but the existing 40 episodes will be very helpful for advanced Turkish learners. We especially recommend this one for those who are interested in science. 

Canlı Bilim

Another science-related podcast, Canlı Bilim consists of live chats with Turkish scientists living in Turkey and abroad. Tune in to explore the world of science while improving your Turkish! 

3. Tips to Learn Turkish More Effectively with Podcasts

Now that you’re familiar with the ten best Turkish podcasts for learners of the language, I’ll share some tips for making the most of them.

A Man Multitasking

Dedicate time.

1. Dedicate some time to learning.

2. Choose a podcast that matches your skill level.

3. Choose a podcast on a topic you’re interested in. 

4. Try listening to a range of different podcasts. 

5. Continuity and routine are important.

6. Support your listening sessions with other learning tools.

7. Practice, practice, practice.

8. Motivate yourself.

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Motivation

Are you more of a visual learner? Don’t forget that you can learn Turkish grammar, enhance your vocabulary, and improve your listening and comprehension skills on YouTube, as well! If you want to learn more, TurkishClass101 has an entire article covering the top YouTube channels for Turkish learners

4. TurkishClass101 – A Single Resource for All!

In this article, I introduced you to the best Turkish-language podcasts for improving your listening skills. Podcasts are undoubtedly a useful and effective tool in language learning. They can enhance your Turkish studies in a way that’s engaging and fun. 

However, please don’t forget that TurkishClass101 is a single resource that offers all the tools needed to learn Turkish. We provide our students with numerous audio lessons and recordings, tons of vocabulary lists, and a variety of free resources (including this Turkish dictionary) that you can refer to. You can also utilize our MyTeacher service, which allows you to study and practice 1-on-1 with a native Turkish speaker. 

What’s more, you can download the app for free and use it wherever you are.

It’s our goal to help you learn Turkish in a fun and effective manner, all at your convenience. As such, we welcome any feedback or questions you may have.

Last but not least, happy Turkish learning!

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How Fast Can You Learn Turkish?

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Learning a new language is a process that requires time and effort; it can’t be completed overnight. 

As an aspiring Turkish learner, you’re likely wondering at this point: Okay, so how long does it take to learn Turkish? 

I can understand why you want to know the length of your learning journey in advance. This information can help you decide whether to take the plunge or not, make plans, and get prepared for your upcoming studies. 

But you know what? There’s no formula where you can plug in a few variables and calculate the time right away! It’s not that simple. 

However, there are a few factors that can be taken into consideration.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Turkish Table of Contents
  1. Factors That Affect Your Language Learning Progress
  2. Proficiency Levels
  3. Useful Tools to Help You Learn Turkish Effectively
  4. Learn Turkish Online with TurkishClass101!
  5. Utilize TurkishClass101 to Learn Turkish the Easy Way!

Factors That Affect Your Language Learning Progress

A number of factors are involved in determining how long it takes to learn Turkish. Following is a breakdown of each one and how it will affect your ability to learn the Turkish language. 

Your Reason for Learning 

The first thing you need to do is determine your reason for learning Turkish. 

Will you use it for managing a business relationship or for social conversations? Will you be writing academic papers in Turkish or do you need it to search for information on the internet? Or maybe you need it because you’ll be traveling or studying in Turkey? 

Your objective will determine the proficiency level you need to achieve, which in turn will tell you how long you’ll need to study. 

In addition, your goal can clue you in on how to use your time. If there’s some urgency to attain a certain level of Turkish, you have to plan accordingly and be more systematic. If there’s no urgency, you can extend your studies over a longer period of time. 

Your Learning Environment

What are your learning methods? What resource(s) are you using? Are you attending a college course, seeing a private tutor, or learning online? And how intensive are your courses? 

These are all factors that can speed up or slow down your progress! 

Your Native Language

If your native language is structured very differently from Turkish in terms of alphabet/script, grammar, phonology, syntax, etc., it will take longer for you to learn Turkish. 

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States has categorized all world languages into four groups, according to their linguistic and/or cultural differences from English. Category I languages are the easiest for English speakers to pick up, while Category IV languages are the most difficult. Turkish is considered a Category III language. To give you an idea, a few other languages in this category include: 

  • Bulgarian
  • Czech
  • Finnish
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Polish
  • Russian
  • Tagalog

Now, how long does it take to learn the Turkish language based on the estimations of the FSI? They’ve estimated that it takes 44 weeks or 1100 hours to reach a professional working level in Category III languages.

Your Previous Language Learning Experience

If you have prior language learning experience or were raised bilingual, it will take you less time to learn a new language. This is because you’ve been down that road before. You already know the best methods for studying, memorizing vocabulary, and practicing your skills, so you’ll find the process much easier than a monolingual would. 

Your Capability and Talent

I think we have to accept that some people are more talented at learning new languages than others. Those who have natural ability or are inclined to learn new languages are definitely at an advantage.

A Speedometer Reading 0 MPH

Learning pace

Proficiency Levels

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR or CEFRL) is the international standard for determining one’s proficiency level in a language. It has six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.

Let’s take a look at these levels and go over what you can accomplish in Turkish at each stage.

Beginner Level

The beginner stage encompasses levels A1 and A2 of the CEFR scale, and it’s also referred to as the “Basic User” level. 

Once you complete the beginner level:

  • You can carry out daily conversations and perform tasks such as introducing yourself, shopping, asking and answering simple questions, and meeting your urgent requirements.
  • You will know some basic nouns, adjectives, and verbs.

To get a better idea of what you’ll be learning as you approach this level, check out the beginner lesson 5 Sentence Patterns for Beginners on TurkishClass101.com. 

100-120 hours of study will be required to reach this level. Flashcards will be useful at this stage.

You can take the A1 or A2 TOMER test at Istanbul University or Anadolu University in order to prove your proficiency. 

Intermediate Level

CEFR refers to this stage as “Independent User,” which consists of the B1 and B2 levels. 

Once you complete the intermediate level:

  • You can (to a certain degree) speak and understand Turkish, read newspapers and articles in Turkish, and even think in Turkish.
  • You will know even more vocabulary, including pronouns, adverbs, and conjunction words.
  • You will also be familiar with some of the tenses used in Turkish. 

Are you curious what intermediate-level lessons will look like? Then head over to our lesson 25 Must-Know Intermediate Phrases!

450-490 hours will be required to get to this level. Talking with native speakers, reading Turkish content, and watching Turkish television shows will be very helpful in getting to this stage.

You can test for the B1 or B2 level through TOMER at Istanbul University or Anadolu University. You can also get B2-level certification if you take and pass the TYS (Türkçe Yeterlik Sınavı) / TPE (Turkish Proficiency Exam).

A Certificate of Achievement Paper

Advanced Level

CEFR refers to this stage as “Proficient User” and it consists of the C1 and C2 levels. 

Once you complete the advanced level:

  • You can carry out deeper conversations about culture, science, art, literature, and politics. 
  • You can engage in more complex situations, such as trade or business-related exchanges. 

To get an idea of what you’re dealing with at this point in your learning journey, have a look at our lesson 25 Must-Know Advanced Phrases

1000-1100 hours will be required to get to this level. In addition to watching, listening to, and reading Turkish content, being able to live or study in Turkey for a while will help you attain this level of fluency much faster.

You can get C1 and C2 certification if you take and pass the TYS (Türkçe Yeterlik Sınavı) / TPE (Turkish Proficiency Exam).

A Woman Thinking in Front of a Blackboard with Thought Bubbles Drawn in Chalk

Useful Tools to Help You Learn Turkish Effectively

Now that you have a better idea of how long it takes to learn the Turkish language, you can start preparing yourself accordingly. To give you a headstart, here are a few tips on how to study Turkish for the best results. 

  • Schools and private lessons. 

    These are two of the best and quickest ways to learn Turkish. However, both are quite expensive and offer little (if any) flexibility timewise.
  • Learning on your own

    If traditional classes are not a practical option for you, you might be wondering how to learn Turkish by yourself. While the idea may seem daunting, there are plenty of effective ways to learn from home!

    For example, you can learn Turkish online (oftentimes, for free). TurkishClass101 is a great resource you can use, but we’ll talk more about us later. 😉
  • Real-life application. 

    Whichever path you take, the most important thing is to put together and apply everything you’ve learned. You can do this by…

    …reading Turkish blogs, articles, books, and newspapers.
    …listening to Turkish radio channels or podcasts.
    …watching TV shows, videos, and movies in Turkish.
    speakers

    Of course, you should also consider moving to Turkey and living there for a while. This will help you improve in all aspects of your learning!
A Man Reading at a Cafe

Just a reminder: Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Be brave and try to use the things you’ve learned.

Learn Turkish Online with TurkishClass101!

Would you like to learn Turkish online in a fun and effective way? If yes, all you need to do is visit TurkishClass101.com and create your free lifetime account. 

So, what great resources do we offer our learners? How can we benefit your studies? 

A Single Resource for All

TurkishClass101.com provides lessons and other learning materials that cover all aspects of the Turkish language, for learners at every level. You can find tons of written, audio, and video materials covering Turkish grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, as well as exercises to improve your listening, writing, and speaking skills. We also have plenty of lessons about Turkish culture, so you can get the full experience! 

Free Resources

Many of the resources we offer are free, and they’re a great place to start if you need to pick up the Turkish-language basics. Here are just a few examples of what you can expect from our free content: 

We also have numerous vocabulary lists, a Word of the Day feature, and a Turkish dictionary to help you build up your vocabulary base! 

Premium and Premium PLUS Services

Upgrading to a Premium account will give you access to even more content not accessible with a basic account. While this upgrade isn’t necessary to learn the language or use our site, it will help you learn more efficiently with a broader range of resources. 

To speed up your progress and further enhance your learning, you can upgrade to Premium PLUS. The most notable feature of this subscription is our MyTeacher service, which allows you to study and practice with a private teacher. 

This service will also give you: 

  • One-on-one interaction with your personal teacher
  • Guidance & ongoing assessment
  • Weekly assignments and badges for the assignments you complete
  • Constructive feedback

Learn On the Go 

Location is no longer a roadblock in your Turkish studies! With today’s technology, you can continue learning wherever you are. Download the free InnovativeLanguage101 app and use it anywhere, anytime.

Mobile App

Utilize TurkishClass101 to Learn Turkish the Easy Way!

In this article, we answered the question: How fast can you learn Turkish? We also guided you concerning the best ways to learn Turkish both online and offline, so that you can make the most of your study time. 

Don’t lose any more time—start utilizing all of the resources TurkishClass101.com has to offer. 

Already a member? Feel free to leave us feedback on your experiences so we can continue to get better, and make your learning journey even more enjoyable. 

Before you go: How likely are you to start learning Turkish after reading this article? Is there anything still holding you back? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll do our best to help!

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How to Learn Turkish in Your Car?

How to Learn Turkish in Your Car? Learn language in car

Stuck in traffic? Losing time in your car? Have you ever felt that in all this wasted time, you could have watched the 750 episodes of One Piece, finished the last Super Mario ten times, or even better…you could have learned Turkish? Between family, friends and work, in addition to this time-consuming commute, it can become difficult to find time to properly learn Turkish.

Fortunately, every problem has a solution, and what could be a better solution than turning that commute time into learning time? Stop passing the time mindlessly listening to the radio and try some of our best tips for mastering Turkish in your car!

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Click Here To Start Learning Turkish Right Now!

You can learn Turkish in your car, hands free
While driving, it’s important that you keep your focus on the road, so this is why our top tips won’t require you to use your hands!

Listening to Turkish audio content in the car is a good way to learn
This is because it is a fun and efficient way to learn. With TurkishClass101.com podcasts, you will be able to discover Turkish culture through topics about everyday life. Instead of the radio, listen to a Turkish podcast adapted to your level, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and you will make progress sooner that you would expect!

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You can listen to Turkish music in the car
Did you know that you can learn Turkish by singing while driving? Listen to songs from cartoon or drama and try to identify some words you learned.

Challenge yourself! Use the Turkish you’ve studied up to this point and see how much you understand! Making the jump to real-life Turkish is a scary one, but friendly children’s songs are a great place to start!

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You can learn alone in your car
When you’re driving alone, you can be as loud as you want – there is nothing better for remembering your Turkish lessons than repeating loudly, again and again. Next time you see a driver who seems to be talking alone, you will know he or she is just learning Turkish!

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You can learn through repetition with your passengers
If there are passengers in the car, it can be more stimulating to learn together. You can set a role play with Turkish dialogues. With TurkishClass101.com, you can download all the lessons transcript including the dialogues, as a PDF. Print it out and have some fun speaking in Turkish!

One of the passengers can answer the quiz available on each of our lessons, while another can correct that person. Listening to someone at a more advanced level of Turkish or a better accent is positive and helps you improve.

You can learn Turkish offline
Do you have a poor connection or are unable to use the Internet? It’s not a problem for learning Turkish! Before you start your commute, use our App to download the lessons you want to study and the podcast you want to listen to in your car, and you will be able to enjoy your lessons offline. Entering a tunnel won’t be a problem anymore. What a pleasure to listen to audio content without having the host freezing every 5 seconds!

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Click here to download the App and learn offline!

You can learn every day at your own pace
One of the best approaches for learning a language is little by little and often. It’s not efficient to take in a huge amount of information at one time. What you need is to study on a regular basis – a little bit of Turkish every day. You commute several days a week, and that is all time you can take advantage of!

You have the freedom to choose the lessons and podcasts you want to focus on, at your own rhythm. You may want to do a little revision or discover how to talk about a new topic. And if you’re wondering what to learn next, you can use the new Learning Paths, which is our customized pathway feature that gives you a step-by-step way to learn Turkish without getting lost!

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Click here to access Learning Paths at TurkishClass101!

If you don’t have a car and commute by another method, these tips are still valid! Learning Turkish is no longer limited to the classroom or your house; there are so many benefits to learning in your car or elsewhere. Reaching a conversational level will take you less time than you could ever have imagined! Don’t forget to sign up for your Free Lifetime Account and enjoy our content!