Discover the Best Turkish Classes in Los Angeles
Turkish has a vibrant history extending back thousands of years and is a prime example of how languages evolve and adapt. The language in Turkey first emerged in the Ottoman Empire, but it's believed to have originated some 2,500 years ago. It is one of the most significant languages in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia with as many as 80 million native speakers worldwide (and several million more speaking it as a second language).
Proficiency in Turkish is not only for the citizens of Turkey itself. Turkish is the official language of Turkey and Cyprus, but many people in Germany, Bulgaria, France, the Netherlands, and other countries speak it as well. Originally written in the Arabic alphabet, Turkish officially transitioned to the Latin alphabet in 1928 to increase literacy and usher the language into the modern era. Turkish can claim influence from both the Semitic languages and the Romance languages, making it a unique foreign language for anyone to learn.
If you’re looking to learn Turkish, then CourseHorse can help. Studying a new language can be challenging but with the right class environment, passion, and dedication, you can learn to speak Turkish in no time.
Why You Should Learn Turkish in Los Angeles
There are only around 350,000 Americans of Turkish descent (as in from Turkey) living in the United States, according to the Turkish Coalition of America, and a majority of those are in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles. The Turkish community in Los Angeles is so large that the Los Angeles Turkish American Association was created in 2004 to raise awareness and preserve Turkish culture.
There are also an additional 500,000 Americans of Turkic descent in the US, including Americans of Uzbek, Kazakh, and Azerbaijani descent. Many of these descendants speak Turkish, too, but among those who do not, their native languages provide solid foundations for learning Turkish. Learning Turkish could provide you with a community that could help you explore a new culture and history.
Being fluent in Turkish can also open new career paths in refugee or immigration services or as a translator. There are many professional and cultural organizations for those interested in the language. You can learn more by contacting the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA), or Turkic American Alliance.
In-Person Turkish Classes in Los Angeles
Los Angeles’ vibrant immigrant population, embracing of other cultures, and thriving Turkish community make it an ideal place to learn Turkish. You can attend an in-person class and then drive to your nearest Turkish bakery to practice your language skills and enjoy delicacies like baklava or tulumba.
Santa Monica College offers a wide variety of language courses. Opened in 1929, SMC has grown into a thriving campus with over 80 fields of study. SMC’s Community Education programs offer hundreds of classes to those who wish to explore their interests or enhance their careers. The low-cost, not-for-credit Community Education courses enrich lives through hands-on workshops and art, writing, dance, and language classes. A wide range of classes are also offered online.
East Los Angeles College also offers a multitude of language classes. ELAC has four main goals: increasing student success and academic excellence, increasing equity, creating sustainable community-centered access, and ensuring institutional effectiveness and accountability. They empower students to achieve their educational goals, expand their potential, and pursue their aspirations to create a better future for themselves.
The Community Services program at Los Angeles City College offers classes and events for the entire community. Their offerings are not-for-credit (no transcripts, degrees, or CA Community College Certificate programs) and are 100% supported by fees or donations/contributions. Located in the heart of downtown, LACC provides a broad range of class subjects that aim to contribute to the surrounding community while uplifting its students by helping them achieve their educational or professional goals.
Located in Harbor City, Los Angeles Harbor College Extension provides its community with personal and professional growth through outstanding not-for-credit lifelong learning opportunities. Los Angeles Harbor College has nine campuses under the direction of the Los Angeles Community College District, so there’s bound to be a campus conveniently located near you.
Virtual Turkish Classes
Prefer a more flexible learning environment? Below are just some of the best online Turkish classes, but make sure to check the Coursehorse website frequently as new classes are added often.
Hyperfluent is a self-described “one-stop shop” language service from CEO and founder Eva Rosales. Services include private tutoring, interpretation services, translation, and speaking engagements. Hyperfluent’s Turkish 1 & 2 Fundamentals programs are available on an hourly basis.
Pasadena Language Center sits just northeast of Los Angeles and serves the entire region, including L.A., Burbank, Glendale, and other cities. Weekly Turkish classes include beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
ABC Languages SF offers Turkish Total Beginner online. If you have a foundational understanding of the language, you can fill out the ABC Languages evaluation form to get recommendations for other levels, such as their High Beginner level. They also offer private lessons and online lessons for kids and teens.
Karaman Language Solutions is based in Alexandria, VA, and serves the Washington, D.C. metro area, northwest Virginia, and Baltimore. Their Online Turkish Language and Culture Training Program is one of several classes they offer, and they also have translation and interpretation services. Contact Karaman directly for more information.
StoryLearning is another foreign language course provider. Their Turkish Uncovered course is an on-demand program based on language expert Olly Richards' method. Many graduates worldwide, from NYT best-selling authors and academics to YouTubers with millions of subscribers, have used Olly's method to learn languages. Turkish Uncovered is made up of 20 modules and over 60 video lessons. You can try the course completely free for seven days and StoryLearning offers a 365-day money-back guarantee.
Private Group Turkish Classes in Los Angeles
Do you want to schedule a Turkish course as a fun team-building event for your business or organization? CourseHorse has Turkish classes for private groups that they can deliver to you. They also offer a range of team-building events in areas like wellness, crafts, and public speaking.
While there aren’t currently any Turkish language courses for private groups available, you can reach out to CourseHorse through the form on their website to request exactly what you need. Plus, make sure you check the website frequently as private group class offerings are constantly being added and updated.
Ready to create your dream course? CourseHorse also makes booking as easy as possible thanks to zero booking fees and confirmation within 24 hours. You can even change the size of your group after booking if needed. Discounted pricing for bulk session purchases may also be available for training classes. Contact CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn more about the available options.