A training course has been held for Turkologists in Georgia, the teachers working at the "My Choice Is Turkish" project, the instructors from the Ministry of National Education of Turkey, and Turkology students.

During the program conducted by Yunus Emre Institute's Tbilisi branch between February 27 and March 1, 2020, seminars were given on Turkish teaching by Turkish Language Society President Prof. Dr. Gürer Gülsevin, Yunus Emre Institute Turkish Teaching and Turkology Director Prof. Dr. Yavuz Kartallıoğlu, and experts from the Institute. 

The opening ceremony hosted at the Institute was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Tbilisi Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Turkish Language Society President Prof. Dr. Gürer Gülsevin, Georgian State Language Department President Georgi Alibegashvili, Tbilisi Education Counselor Yüksel Kara, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Tbilisi Coordinator Necla Demirdağ, the Institute's officials and many Turkish teachers.

Delivering a keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Gürer Gülsevin indicated that Georgian language is not foreign to Turkey as it is spoken in many parts of Turkey. "For us, a Georgian in Turkey is no different from a Georgian in Georgia and vice versa," he said.

In her speech, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Tbilisi Fatma Ceren Yazgan said: "International relations rely mainly on language. There is only one river and a valley between Turkey and Georgia. The relationship between our communities should be based on mutual respect, in which people can take whatever they like and renounce whatever they don't from each other," touching on the importance of foreign language instruction.

Prof. Dr. Yavuz Kartallıoğlu briefed the participants about Yunus Emre Institute. "We are glad to organize a 'Training of Trainers' program in Georgia. We would like to thank you for your interest. We are happy to announce that there will be similar programs in the future," he said. Then, Kartallıoğlu talked about the educational materials to be used by the teachers from the "My Choice Is Turkish" project.

The training focused on teaching Turkish grammar, drama in Turkish as a foreign language, practices for improving vocabulary, developing reading, listening, and speaking skills, and using authentic materials and technology. On its final day, the participants competed with each other in designing materials which can be used in teaching Turkish as a foreign language.

At the end of the program, the attendants were presented with their certificates of attendance and posed for a souvenir photo.