As part of the “Multi-Sectoral Approach for Fostering Resilience Among Non-Syrian Refugee and Vulnerable Host Communities” project, RET has been providing Turkish language courses to refugees in Kayseri and Aksaray, with the aim of fostering social cohesion and empowering them to operate more independently and confidently in Turkish society.

“The courses are immersive experiences aimed at providing refugees with the practical skills they need to integrate into the social sphere in Türkiye.”

–RET’s Turkish Language Trainer in Kayseri

RET designed these language courses to transcend traditional classroom settings, putting participants in simulated, everyday scenarios such as markets, hospitals, and real estate agencies to simulate more realistic and practical conversational practice and provide a more engaging learning experience. 

“Our courses are more than just language lessons!” said RET’s Turkish Language Trainer in Kayseri adding: “The courses are immersive experiences aimed at providing refugees with the practical skills they need to integrate into the social sphere in Türkiye. Our participants are not confined to traditional classroom settings but instead find themselves in dynamic, real-world scenarios where they must communicate in Turkish to navigate various situations.” 

Participants might find themselves in a makeshift hospital room, where they must interact with “patients” and “doctors” while practicing their Turkish language skills. Such experiences are invaluable for helping build confidence and vocabulary, as well as acclimatize refugees to how to seek medical care in Türkiye. 

In another course, the participants went shopping for goods in a simulated supermarket to learn essential phrases that are vital for daily life. One of them commented: “After I joined RET’s language courses, the everyday situations during the courses forced me to learn and adapt quickly. It wasn’t just about memorizing vocabulary; it was about truly understanding how the language is used in real life.”  

By simulating real world locations and situations, the courses seek to maximize their impact and provide memorable lessons, as well as opportunities for refugee and vulnerable host communities to have positive interactions, ultimately fostering a stronger social cohesion between them all.