"Turkish Language Instruction Portal" publicity meeting was held in Ankara with participation of Minister of Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş and Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş.

Yunus Emre Institute that brings Turkish language and culture to many countries of the world with more than 50 cultural centres and 139 liaison points, has reached more than 100 thousand people in "Turkish Instruction Portal" which allows learning Turkish as a foreign language independent of time and location in places where there are no Yunus Emre Institute centres.

The online training program "Turkish Education Portal" carried into effect in February 2017, was introduced to public today after completing it first year.

Foreign students also took the stage in the publicity meeting where portal's operation principles and techniques were shared as well as the target group and new goals. The students who said, "Turkish has been the language of brotherhood for us," shared their journeys of learning Turkish and Turkey.

We build bridges of heart with Turkish

After the comments of students, the Minister of Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş made a speech, first commentating on the activities of Yunus Emre Institute.

The Minister who began his speech by expressing that YEE that broadens and diversifies its activities as an institution representing Turkey's soft power, is above any kind of appreciation, said that Yunus Emre Institute's activities will continue increasingly.

Marking that one of the most important aspects that makes human human is language, Kurtulmuş spoke as follows: "Language is the most important thing granted to humanity. Our language is a source of pride because we are a nation that can speak Turkish from the heart and soul. We are the children of a nation that speaks from the heart by combining the language with our soul and we have developed the language of heart throughout the world for centuries. We proudly watch and support  Yunus Emre Institute's Turkish activities."

Noting that major civilizations were established through language, Kurtulmuş said that they continue to build bridges of heart all over the world with the language of heart Turkish by way of Yunus Emre Institute. Minister Kurtulmuş stated that the transfer of Turkish cultural heritage is possible through language, and noted that Yunus Emre Institute, at service of our beautiful Turkish, will make efforts to do better all around in the world.

100 thousand users in 159 countries

Enstitü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş who made the opening speech of the program, marked that Yunus Emre Institute operates with the aim of improving recognition and reputation of Turkey abroad. Expressing that Yunus Emre Institute continues its activities around five basic axes, Ateş underlined that these are Turkish instruction, furthering cultural interaction, developing institutional capacity and organizing activities in the fields of cultural and science diplomacy.

Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş stated that the new target of the world's largest Turkish course "Turkish Language Teaching Portal" that has reached 100 thousand users in 159 countries, is to reach 500 thousand people, and added that based on the portal's success, it is possible to reach 5 million people.

The event ended after the portal users who achieved the highest scores on "Turkish Instruction Portal" received their prizes from Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş.

Turkish Instruction Portal

Yunus Emre Enstitüsü that introduces Turkish language, culture, art and history to individuals from different walks of life and age groups in more than 50 cultural centres opened in different corners of the world since 2009, contributes to making Turkish instruction widespread through collaborations with educational institutions and Turcology departments in various countries.

Designing educational materials appealing to individuals of different age groups and professions based on experience gained in the field, Enstitü carried "Turkish Instruction Portal" into effect with the aim of teaching Turkish independent of time and location.

Turkish is taught through activities based on four basic language skills, thanks to the portal that gradually displays vocabulary lists and grammatical structures determined by levels. The portal, that appeals to all individuals by offering levels ranging from beginner level A1 to C1, allows users from every culture and age group to learn and improve their Turkish skills from anywhere in the world.