Free Turkish Language Courses for Children in Northern Cyprus

Registration is now open in Northern Cyprus for free Turkish language courses for primary school children. Classes start on March 23, 2026, at 09:00, and are designed for students in grades 2–5. The program is held in Nicosia (Lefkoşa), Kyrenia (Girne), Güzelyurt, and Famagusta (Gazimağusa). Tuition is free, but books cost 1,040 TL, and the certification exam is 2,000 TL. Each group is limited to 15 students.

• Who can enroll and how much does it cost
• Schedule by grade
• Where classes take place
• How to apply
• Required information
• Frequently Asked Questions

Who can enroll and how much does it cost

This joint program is launched by the Ministry of National Education of Northern Cyprus, the Education Attaché's Office of the Turkish Embassy in Nicosia, the Cyprus Foundations Administration (Evkaf), the Atatürk Teacher Training Academy, and the Yunus Emre Institute. The course is aimed at primary school children — specifically students in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The program announcements also mention an age range of 7–11 years, but placement within the course is based specifically on school grades. If a child is studying outside the local system, it makes sense to choose a group based on their actual academic level.

Schedule by grade

The program is divided into two age groups: grades 2–3 and grades 4–5. Each group has its own schedule, but the total duration remains the same — 90 hours over 12 weeks.

Grades 2–3

• Class days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
• Daily load: 3 lessons of 40 minutes each
• Weekly load: 9 lessons
• Textbooks: Türkçe Öğreniyorum 1 / Türkçe Öğreniyorum 2

Grades 4–5

• Class days: Monday and Wednesday
• Daily load: 4 lessons of 40 minutes each
• Weekly load: 8 lessons
• Textbooks: Türkçe Öğreniyorum 1 / Türkçe Öğreniyorum 2

Where classes take place

During registration, you can choose one of four locations in Northern Cyprus. This allows families to apply to the most convenient region.

How to apply

Registration is conducted online via a Google Form. No specific deadline for enrollment has been stated in the published form, so it is best to act based on availability: each group is limited to 15 participants.

Steps to apply

1. Open the registration form: online application for the course.
2. Select the region where the child will attend classes.
3. Provide the school name, the child's first and last name, date of birth, citizenship, and gender.
4. Add the parent's first and last name, as well as a WhatsApp number for contact.
5. Review the data and submit the form.

Required information

The form does not require document uploads at the first stage, but asks for basic registration details about the child and the parent.

• Study region;
• School name;
• Child's first and last name;
• Date of birth;
• Citizenship;
• Gender;
• Parent's first and last name;
• Parent's WhatsApp number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the course really free?

Yes. The instruction itself is free. Only the textbooks (costing 1,040 TL) and the exam (costing 2,000 TL, if a certificate is required) are paid for separately.

Which children are eligible for enrollment?

Enrollment is open to primary school students in grades 2–5. The published announcements also specify an age range of 7–11 years.

When do classes start?

The course is scheduled to start the week of March 23, 2026. The start time for classes is 09:00.

How long is the course?

The program consists of 90 hours of instruction and takes 12 weeks to complete.

Can I choose the city for classes?

Yes. In the form, you can select Nicosia, Kyrenia, Güzelyurt, or Famagusta.

Is there a limit on the number of places?

Yes. Each group can have no more than 15 students, so applying early increases the chances of securing a spot in your preferred location.