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TurkishClass101 Review

TurkishClass101 Review

The following TurkishClass101 Review is up-to-date as of December 13, 2024. Please note that this review contains referral links — however, we only recommend products that we have personally used and think are worthwhile.

There are many great reasons to learn Turkish, including having Turkish friends and family, for travel purposes, and business ventures. Did you know that approximately 90 million people speak Turkish as a first or second language? The majority of these speakers live in Turkey and the surrounding areas. 

If you’re looking for the top online program for learning this language, check out our unbiased review of TurkishClass101.

Already made up your mind and looking for our discount code?

What is TurkishClass101?

TurkishClass101 by Innovative Language is an online course designed to help absolute beginners to intermediate speakers learn and hone their Turkish skills. The course can be used as a supplement to in-person learning or as a stand-alone class.

There are both audio and video lessons composed by native Turkish speakers. You will also find a wide array of reinforcement learning tools, the latest news, and cultural lessons included with this course. Additionally, TurkishClass101 offers:

  • On-the-go learning with mobile or desktop app
  • Three monthly subscription packages
  • Quick lessons
  • Flashcards, voice-recording and word banks
  • Multiple-choice lesson quizzes
  • Ongoing progress assessments
  • One-on-one instruction (PremiumPLUS)
  • Downloadable lessons and transcripts
TurkishClass101 - You Need To Work Harder
But I'm really trying!

What We Liked about TurkishClass101

Pro #1: Guided Learning Pathways

Unlike some competitors, TurkishClass101 offers a guided learning pathway that aligns with A1-A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) scale for language learning. As an absolute beginner or someone intent on becoming fluent in Turkish, this pathway is the most direct route to learning.

The absolute beginner Level 1 Turkish is extremely extensive with 50 lessons in the pathway including Introducing Yourself in Turkish, A Long, Hot Turkish Summer, and Meeting the Family in Turkey. After completing the guided pathway, you can explore other pathways to further expand your knowledge. It feels as if there is unlimited content in TurkishClass101.

TurkishClass101 Absolute Beginner Pathway
TurkishClass101 Absolute Beginner Pathway

Pro #2: Access to a Personal Instructor

This feature requires a PremiumPLUS subscription, but we feel it’s worth a mention. Your instructor will make a personalized learning plan, grade assignments, offer ongoing progress reports, and be available to answer your questions. When you consider the costs involved in taking an actual Turkish class, this is an excellent deal. You can also be certain you are heading in the right direction with your learning.

What We Didn’t Like About TurkishClass101

Con #1: No Rewards System

We understand that the ultimate reward of learning Turkish is being able to hold a conversation. However, TurkishClass101 lacks additional motivational features to keep learners engaged. Some competitors have gamified their courses to encourage daily use, but TurkishClass101 offers no such system. As a result, it may be challenging for learners who lack motivation to stay consistent with the program.

Con #2: No Obvious Structure

The guided learning pathways lack a clear structure or progression. It often feels like you’re simply being asked to memorize phrases for specific situations. As a result, we found it challenging to form our own sentences early on. Additionally, jumping between different pathways can make it difficult to retain information long-term. We recommend completing one pathway before starting another, though some information may still remain elusive.

TurkishClass101 Teacher 2
Just what I needed: more guilt about sleeping in...

TurkishClass101—Who it’s For

Because most lessons are under 15 minutes, TurkishClass101 is easy to fit into anyone’s busy schedule. Since you can access the course almost anywhere, you can maximize the use of your time while waiting in school pick-up lines, commuting to work, or even during lunch.

Teens or adults who are already taking another Turkish course will appreciate the additional content found with TurkishClass101. As a supplement, TurkishClass101 can help students get better scores on high-school or college exams.

Main Features of TurkishClass101

Dashboard

Your dashboard is where you will access everything TurkishClass101 has to offer, including the latest Turkish news, updated vocabulary, and phrase lists, and your lessons. You can also upgrade your monthly subscription package or change your expertise level here.

Pathways for Learning

Learning pathways are available on your dashboard, and you can choose as many as you’d like. Each pathway offers a themed set of lessons to study. For example, the intermediate expertise level offers pathways such as Must Know Turkish Slang and Extensive Reading in Turkish for Intermediate Learners, along with the Level 3 Turkish guided pathway. These pathways can be especially handy for those who only want to learn quick bits of Turkish for business or upcoming travel.

TurkishClass101 Advanced Pathway
TurkishClass101 Advanced Pathway

Lessons—Audio and Video

Both audio and video lessons typically last about 15 minutes, with the exception of the Three-Minute Lesson pathway, and are taught by one to three native-speaking instructors. The instructors are generally upbeat and work hard to keep the content engaging. Most lessons involve watching or listening to a conversation and then repeating it. Phrases and words are presented in regular-speed Turkish, slow-speed Turkish, and English.

At times, the lessons may feel a bit slow. However, this is not a fault of the program, as all the material is new and relevant to everyday life. It is more likely a natural part of learning another language, which can sometimes progress at a slower pace.

TurkishClass101 - Video Lesson Screenshot
Erm, I think you mean book?

Lesson Notes and Transcripts

Your lesson notes can be found at the end of each lesson and contain things such as important grammar and culture information. You will discover why certain words are used during particular situations but not during others as well as Turkish manners. The notes and transcripts can be downloaded and printed for additional practice. We recommend following along with the transcripts during audio lessons for better comprehension.

TurkishClass101 - Audio Lesson Screenshot (Say Hello)
An example of an Audio Lesson Transcript

Assignments and Quizzes

You will find multiple-choice quizzes sprinkled throughout the pathways to test your knowledge, which are only available to Premium and PremiumPLUS subscribers. Additionally, PremiumPLUS subscribers will be given assignments throughout the learning pathways that are hand-graded by personal instructors.

Learning and Reinforcement Tools

In order to enhance grammar and build on your vocabulary, a number of learning tools are available such as spaced-repetition flashcards featuring both English and Turkish words. Once you have determined what the flashcard says, you will receive the answer spoken in Turkish. Either mark it correct or incorrect so you can study more later.

There are also word and phrase lists that allow you to listen to the Turkish word being spoken. You can record your own pronunciation of the word and compare it to the instructor’s. Save words and phrases to your own customized word bank to review later.

Additionally, there is a Turkish dictionary where you can search for vocabulary in either English or Turkish to find its meaning. Not only will the dictionary pull up the word you requested but also other words with the same letter combinations.

TurkishClass101 Alternatives

Babbel vs. TurkishClass101

Babbel Turkish is also an online monthly subscription program for learning Turkish. The Babbel interface is somewhat game-like and easy-to-use, however the content is lacking in comparison to TurkishClass101. Most of the learning comes by participating in activities, rather than watching videos or listening to podcasts. You can listen to voice recordings and make your own for comparison purposes. However, these recordings can feel very robotic and not very realistic.

Duolingo vs. TurkishClass101

Duolingo Turkish is a free, game-like program that teaches Turkish basics through quiz-style lessons. You earn rewards for maintaining daily streaks and spending more time on the program. While Duolingo is fun and helps keep learners motivated, it should not be used as the sole resource for learning Turkish. It works best as a supplementary tool alongside a more advanced course.

How Much is TurkishClass101?

There are three subscription levels—Basic, Premium, and PremiumPLUS—and a free lifetime account. The free account features the first three lessons in each learning pathway and new lessons are frequently added. For additional lessons and more learning resources, choose one of the following plans:

TurkishClass101 Review - Price
That's what I'd like to know...

Basic—$4/Month  Check Price With Our Discount

The Basic plan includes unlimited access to the lesson library and all learning pathways. You are granted access on a desktop computer or mobile device with the app. All lessons and notes are downloadable, and you will also be able to access the top 100 core words in Turkish.

Premium—$10/Month Check Price With Our Discount

The Premium plan includes everything the Basic plan has, and further builds upon it with high-definition videos, ongoing multiple-choice quizzes, 2,000 core words and phrases, voice recordings, and flashcards. The best part is that you can try out this plan for free for seven days or for $1 for your first month.

PremiumPLUS—$23/Month Check Price With Our Discount

The PremiumPLUS plan allows for one-on-one instruction with your teacher. You will get a dedicated learning plan designed just for you, hand-graded assignments, and your questions answered when you have them. This is the recommended plan if you are using TurkishClass101 solely for learning to speak Turkish.

TurkishClass101 Screenshot - Goodbye
Thanks for reading this review :)

Final Thoughts on TurkishClass101

Overall, TurkishClass101 is a comprehensive program for beginner to low-intermediate Turkish learners. While its price point is slightly higher than most competitors, it offers significantly more learning content. This is one of the few Turkish courses we can recommend both as a primary learning resource and as a supplement.