Photograph by Burçin Esin
Embarking on a journey to Turkey was a leap into the unknown for me, fueled by a desire to immerse myself fully in the culture, far from the comfort zones of expat bubbles. It was clear from the get-go that my mission was to learn Turkish, and not just surface-level chit-chat, but truly grasp the language. Enter KediCat, a haven for the serious learner, where the fluff of conventional language courses is stripped away, leaving the essence of practical, everyday Turkish.
KediCat stands out for its no-nonsense approach to learning. Forget about memorizing the names of zoo animals or the colors of the rainbow—time is never wasted in class doing tasks you can do on your own at home. At KediCat, the focus is on grammar, drilled into you in a way that sticks, complemented by ample opportunities to speak. It’s a place that clearly teaches the structure of the language in order to use it in real-life situations.
The mastermind behind this method is Hakan, a figure whose intelligence and respect for cultural diversity are matched only by his passion for teaching languages. Hakan is not just any teacher; he’s a polyglot, a visionary in language instruction, and, quite frankly, a character you’re unlikely to forget. His teaching style and methodology are so effective that they influenced my own ESL teaching techniques for over a decade.
Living in Istanbul, I often crossed paths with Hakan, sharing the same neighborhood for six out of the eight years I spent there. In a city teeming with millions, these encounters were a testament to the small-world feel of our community. My initial Fish in Water plans to develop a crash course in Turkish for the upcoming Relocation Turkey bundle shifted when I realized that recommending Hakan and KediCat was the best advice I could give. Back in my Turkish studying days, it was a one-man show, but I have no doubt that anyone Hakan has brought on board since then would be equally capable.
The feedback from those I’ve recommended KediCat to has been overwhelmingly positive. Students either fall in love with Hakan’s teaching or realize that Turkish isn’t for them—a revelation that likely would have struck them in any setting. It’s not about the difficulty of the language but the commitment to learning it. Turkish is accessible to those who are dedicated, not to those looking for an easy ride or to practice their English with locals eager for a language exchange. I will also add that Turkish is not a difficult language. Many don’t agree with me, but here me out.
For anyone serious about learning Turkish, KediCat is the place to be, especially if you’re skeptical of traditional language learning systems and prefer a method that’s proven effective. Check out Hakan’s website for a treasure trove of resources. While it might not be the most organized collection, it’s packed with valuable, straightforward content, free of the fluff that plagues many language courses. No silly pictures, irrelevant dialogues, or song lyrics—just pure, actionable language learning. And he hands out valuable notes each lesson – I still have mine from 2011.
The moral of the story- if you’re committed to learning Turkish and immersing yourself in the local culture (steering clear of English practice sessions), KediCat, under Hakan’s guidance, is your gateway to mastery. Hi Hakan if you’re reading this. KediCat student or alumni? Tell us about your experience in the the comments.
Not sure yet but want a fun taste of Turkish? Check out our Phrasebook Plus.
