Courses

Course Structure & Levels

At Yale, the Modern Turkish program offers five structured levels: from L1 through L5 of Turkish language instruction. These levels are designed to develop all four skills — listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The four-course sequence (L1-L4) helps students build a firm foundation, while L5 offers advanced instruction for strong language proficiency. L1-L4 meet every weekday except Friday, when the class is asynchronous, while L5 meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

  • L1: Novice Turkish — TKSH 110

    Meets on M, T, W, Th, F from 9:25 to 10:15

    Discover the foundations of Turkish language and culture through a thoughtfully designed hybrid format. Strengthen your confidence in everyday communication with a blend of online modules and interactive in-person sessions.

  • L2: Novice-Mid Turkish — TKSH 120

    Meets on M, T, W, Th, F from 9:25 to 10:15

    Expand your Turkish vocabulary and develop confidence in conversational skills through practical, real-world communication. Explore Turkish regions, foods, and traditions with authentic materials.

    Fridays are fully asynchronous: students complete online quizzes and meet with their Turkish tutor for personalized, professor-guided speaking practice.

     

  • L3: Intermediate-Low Turkish — TKSH 130

    Meets on M, T, W, Th, F from 10:30 to 11:20 

    Develop practical communication skills in Turkish through engagement with film, music, literature, painting, and architecture from Türkiye. Analyze selected works by historical and contemporary artists while building vocabulary and strengthening speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

    Fridays are fully asynchronous: students complete online quizzes and meet with their Turkish tutor for personalized, professor-guided speaking practice.

  • L4: Intermediate-High Turkish — TKSH 140

    Meets on M, T, W, Th, F from 10:30 to 11:20 

    Türkiye through the Eyes of Artists

    This course explores Türkiye’s vibrant cultural landscape through film, music, literature, painting, and architecture. Students examine the work of influential artists and may have opportunities to meet and converse with contemporary cultural figures. Through multimedia projects, students interpret course themes and develop their own critical perspectives.

    Fridays are fully asynchronous: students complete online quizzes and meet with their Turkish tutor for personalized, professor-guided speaking practice.

  • L5: Advanced Turkish — TKSH 150

    Meets on T, Th from 11:35 to 12:50

    Explore Turkish language, culture, and history through the thought-provoking works of Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk. Students engage with selected literary texts to develop advanced proficiency in Turkish while examining the historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts that shape his writing.

    Weekly meetings with a Turkish language tutor provide structured conversational practice and individualized feedback.