— Ahmet Öztel · Istanbul, Türkiye
Teaching Turkish
to the World.
One elective. One classroom. A decade-long mission.
I'm a Fulbright Scholar, TÖMER-certified instructor, and the founder of Turkish Academy. I've taught Turkish at New York University, served as the virtual Turkish teacher for the NSLI-Y program, coordinated national language exams, and helped students from over 40 countries fall in love with this beautiful language.
500+
STUDENTS TAUGHT
40+
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE
10+
A1-C1
CEFR-ALIGNED COURSES
My Story
Everything changed with one unexpected elective. I was studying English Language Teaching at Bilgi University when I walked into a course called "Teaching Turkish as a Foreign Language." Three weeks after that class, I was standing in front of real students at Bilgi TÜRMER — the university's official Turkish teaching institution. I was 20 years old, and I was hooked.
That first year was hectic. I was simultaneously a student, a teaching assistant, and a coordinator-in-training. By my second year, I had been promoted to Education Coordinator at Bilgi TÜRMER, where I not only taught Turkish to international students but also organized the official Turkish language certification exams (TYS) across 2016, 2017, and 2018. I also collaborated with Georgetown University's Turkish Program through an ARIT research project, assessing the spoken Turkish of American students studying at Boğaziçi.
After graduating, I briefly taught English — but the pull back to Turkish was too strong. In 2020, I began offering private Turkish lessons online. Word spread quickly. Students started recommending me to their friends, and I expanded into group lessons. In 2021, I formalized everything: TÖMER certification from Sakarya Üniversitesi, and the official launch of Turkish Academy.
Then came the milestone I'm most proud of: in 2022, I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship — one of the world's most competitive academic honors — and spent a year teaching Turkish at New York University. I taught NYU students, introduced Turkish culture on campus, and represented the richness of the language to a new generation of learners.
Today, Turkish Academy is trusted by individuals, multinational corporations, government institutions, and diplomatic missions across the globe. From ambitious professionals preparing for life in Turkey, to internationally recognized companies like Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola, and Trendyol, to institutions of the calibre of the British Consulate, the common thread is a desire to engage with Turkish at the highest level. It is a privilege and a responsibility I take seriously every single day, from Istanbul to the world.
— Career Journey
A decade of
milestones
From a university classroom in Istanbul to New York University, here's how a single elective turned into an international teaching career.
2015
The Elective That Changed Everything
Enrolled in "Teaching Turkish as a Foreign Language" at Bilgi University. Within weeks, became a teaching assistant at Bilgi TÜRMER.
2021
Turkish Academy Founded
Earned TÖMER certification from Sakarya Üniversitesi and officially launched Turkish Academy as an online language school.
2016–2018
Education Coordinator, Bilgi TÜRMER
Taught Turkish to international students and coordinated the national TYS certification exams. Collaborated with Georgetown University's Turkish Program.
2022–2023
Fulbright Scholar — New York University
Awarded one of the world's most competitive scholarships. Taught Turkish at NYU and represented Turkish culture across the university campus.
2020
Private Lessons Go Global
Launched private and group online Turkish lessons. Students from dozens of countries joined — and started recommending Turkish Academy to friends.
Now
Teaching the World from Istanbul
Teaching individuals, groups, and corporate clients including Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola, and the British Consulate. CEFR-aligned courses from A1 to C1.
— Credentials
Where I've
taught & been recognized
These aren't decorations on a wall. They represent real classrooms, real students, and real relationships built through the craft of language teaching.
Scholarship · 2022
Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant
New York University, one of the world's most prestigious academic scholarships. Taught Turkish and introduced Turkish culture to NYU students.
Academic Role · 2015–2019
Education Coordinator, Bilgi TÜRMER
Taught Turkish to international students, coordinated national certification exams, and assisted Georgetown University's Turkish program research.
Certification · 2021
TÖMER — Sakarya Üniversitesi
Official Turkish language teaching certification from one of Turkey's most respected academic language institutions.
Membership
American Association of Teachers of Turkic Languages
Active member of the international community of Turkic language educators and researchers.
— Trusted by
Partners & affiliations
Academic & Institutional
New York University
Bilgi TÜRMER
Dil Ağacı
Fulbright Program
Sakarya TÖMER
Istanbul Bilgi University
AATT
Virtual NSLI-Y
YADOT
Corporate Clients
Mercedes-Benz
Vivo
Coca-Cola
British Consulate
Trendyol
Community & Media
One To World
Reach The World
Yabangee
Ikamet.com