The Rise of German Language Popularity in Turkey
In the heart of Europe, Germany is becoming a popular destination for Turkish students seeking quality education and promising career prospects. One such student is Naz Kiraz, an 18-year-old from Turkey, currently residing in Duesseldorf. Naz plans to stay in Germany after graduating from school and pursue a career in Turkey, specifically in engineering.
Naz is not alone in her pursuit. Sumer Alaz, a lawyer from Turkey, is now pursuing a doctorate in constitutional law in Germany and works for a non-governmental organization in Berlin. Sumer found German a language that is widely used and relevant in many fields, including law, and considered it as one of the few languages with a real breadth of academic writing.
The popularity of German among Turkish students is evident in the increasing number of German language courses at Turkish universities. This trend is also reflected in the thriving German-speaking schools in cities like Istanbul, where a private German high school and an Austrian high school, primarily attended by Turkish students, are located.
The close ties between Turkey and Germany have played a significant role in this trend. Over 3 million people of Turkish origin live in Germany, creating a strong cultural connection between the two countries. This connection is further strengthened by the 35 state schools in Turkey where teaching takes place in German.
However, the economic situation in Turkey has also contributed to this trend. Many young Turkish people are hoping that knowledge of German will allow them to study in Germany or enter the job market there. Fatih Kalkan, a 27-year-old student, is one such individual. Fatih came to Germany to do a master's degree and started learning German before arriving due to advice from others. When the courses offered by the Goethe Institute were fully booked, Fatih opted for an online German language course. He later attended a university in Leipzig for his master's studies.
Academic freedom was another reason for Sumer Alaz to stay in Germany. Sumer came to Marburg, a university town in central Germany, around eight years ago to study for a master's. The appeal of academic freedom, combined with the opportunities Germany offers, has led to a growing number of Turkish students choosing Germany as their destination for education and career growth.
