What is the aim of merhabakids?

merhabakids enable you to give the gift of learning a language to your child! We help children to feel comfortable in a Turkish-speaking environment or join any conversation in Turkish. We aim to help children understand, speak, and improve their Turkish language skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Why enroll?

Language is one of the best gifts we can give to our kids! Studies have shown substantial cognitive benefits of learning languages. Individuals who speak more than one language have improved memory and concentration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and multitasking skills. merhabakids make it so easy for kids to learn the Turkish language just by playing, singing, and having fun. The curriculum is made appropriately based on the kids’ ages, interests, and abilities.

Is merhabakids the right program for my child?

The merhabakids Turkish program is designed for

• Children who understand Turkish as their second language but cannot or rarely speak it or
• Kids who speak Turkish would feel motivated to expand their vocabulary and converse in Turkish if the topics of discussion were of interest to them.

merhabakids offer children the opportunity to talk about topics that interest them. This approach motivates children to speak Turkish and learn vocabulary and grammar in the process.

Which classes do merhabakids offer?

Please see our schedule for classes. Reach out to us if you have an idea for a topic or any other recommendations. We’re always looking for great ideas! Our lessons are appropriate to age and appropriate to the kids Turkish language-skill. merhabakids consider the verbal and visual memory capacities and interests of the students.

What does merhabakids mean when it states it would help children learn Turkish naturally.

Children learn to communicate with those around them from birth by listening and imitating. By constantly repeating new sounds, syllables, words, and sentences, kids make progress every day. The enthusiasm of parents and other caring family members further encourages this development and motivates the child to continue. When learning Turkish with merhabakids, this natural process is imitated through repetition and positive reinforcement in a fun, social, and supportive atmosphere.

Do you offer Turkish classes for adults?

We designed our program specifically for children, ages 4 to 12. If you are interested in Turkish language classes for adults, please let us know by sending us an email at [email protected]. We will consider adding classes for adults based on demand. We’ll keep you posted!

Do merhabakids belong to a religious or political organization?

No, merhabakids are not part of any religious or political organization, nor are we affiliated with any organization. merhabakids is a privately owned company. Our only aim is to teach the Turkish Language.

Do you offer free trial classes?

Yes! We are happy to arrange a free trial class for your child to help you decide whether a class is a good fit for your child.

Which time zones do merhabakids cover?

merhabakids provides classes all over the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. We cover all four time zones in the USA and Canada: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Time. Additionally, we cover Western Union Time for the UK. Please check our calendar for the appropriate classes for your child.

How are the merhabakids’ classes structured?

merhabakids tries to keep class sizes as small as possible to enable instructors to interact and engage individually with each child during each 45-minutes, live, interactive online session.

Students are grouped into merhabakids classes based on their age (ages 4+ and 7+), their interests, and their Turkish language skill level. The modules for younger students focus on general daily life topics such as animals, vehicles etc. The modules for older students focus on topics that consist of a more specialized vocabulary and are being taught in a more in-depth manner.

Each module consists of eight lessons that are organized around a topic or theme. Lessons do not necessarily build on each other, so if a student misses a class, he or she will easily be able to rejoin the next class.

After completing the eight-unit module, students will automatically go on to another module, which covers another topic. The variety keeps students interested and focused.

Is Turkish the only language spoken in class?

merhabakids uses the immersion method of teaching Turkish, which means all classes are held in Turkish only. All merhabakids’ instructors are Turkish native speakers and also speak English at a high professional level. A child might switch to English, whenever he or she doesn’t know a word or how to set up a sentence. Our instructors will be able to understand the child and will help the child accordingly. We want to encourage the child to speak even if some vocabulary is missing.

What does a typical lesson look like?

Each merhabakids lesson focuses on whole brain learning: activities that involve the senses including singing, playing games, doing crafts or projects, moving or dancing, and more. Our instructors take into account each student’s unique learning style — visual, auditory, and kinesthetic — and their learning pace when leading the class through activities and discussions. A typical lesson is dynamic, offering a variety of activities to introduce and review vocabulary and language structures, as well as unique songs with movements.

Each class session adheres to a general structure, but offers variety and fosters spontaneity to hold the interest of students and encourage their active participation. Generally, our instructors start each lesson by welcoming students with a “hello” song in Turkish. The instructor leads students in exercises to review vocabulary learned during the last class session. The main topic is introduced through games, songs, activities, and visual aids. Instructors encourage students to talk in Turkish by asking them questions or to explain something to fellow classmates.

What makes the merhabakids Turkish language program unique?

merhabakids is committed to helping children learn the Turkish language. We want our students to feel comfortable in a Turkish spoken environment. Children love to learn, and they love to play. merhabakids provides the best of both worlds, using stories, songs, and games that allow children to learn through play. merhabakids’ methodology allows children to learn to speak and understand Turkish before learning to read and write.

How many kids are in class?

We accept just 5 students per class to enroll. Our students are allowed to do make-up classes and join trial classes. In these specific cases, there might be more than 5 children in class.

Who are the merhabakids instructors?

merhabakids instructors all have:

• Command of Turkish at a native-speaker level
• Academic backgrounds
• Experience working with children or teens

Our instructors cultivate a fun-filled, motivating environment that sets us apart from other Turkish language courses. They love working with kids, excel at teaching Turkish, are endlessly creative, and bring merhabakids’ unique curriculum to life in their classes in a fun and exciting way.

How do we maintain the high quality of our instructors?

merhabakids provides ongoing guidance and training on our curriculum, and regular feedback and quality control checks to maintain merhabakids’ high-quality standards.

What are the benefits of an interactive online learning environment for kids?

Interactive online learning is an inclusive way to motivate children participating actively in the lesson together with peers and get feedback from both peers and their instructors. By using the language their vocabulary will be fostered and enhanced.

What are the advantages of an interactive online learning environment compared to an in-person class?

Kids and parents don’t need to waste time commuting and waiting outside for their kids to finish class. Parents can listen in on what is going on in class and continue to work with their kids after their lessons.

What is the advantage of an interactive online learning environment compared to a recorded online class?

The kids are involved in a community and can interact with each other and the instructor. They can share their stories and stay active; they won’t be passive listeners. We believe that kids are more receptive to learning if they can play an active role in the class. The instructor can prompt or respond to both the group as a whole and students individually, focusing on the needs of the children without deviating from the program.

How will I know if the class is the right fit for my child?

We offer a free trial class to new students prior to enrollment. You and your child will know by the end of the class if it’s the right fit. We hope it is!

How do I know if my kid is ready for an interactive online class?

The length of our classes is adjusted to the age of the students. The curriculum and the activities are designed to keep the students motivated and focused during the 45-minute class.

How much Turkish does my child need to understand before enrolling in a merhabakids class?

We don’t have any requirements. We believe that kids are able to adjust to any learning environment. Some kids may speak Turkish at home already, some may be fluent, others not. All children will have the opportunity to learn and improve their language skills and their vocabulary at their own pace.

Can my child learn Turkish even though my child doesn’t speak Turkish at all?

Yes! The learning process in children begins shortly after birth. Before they can even speak, they absorb the sound and melody of language that enables them to form words themselves. We offer different class levels and therefore don’t require any prerequisites.

Can my child join even if my child speaks Turkish fluently?

Yes! Our classes offer a lot of fun and entertaining activities, so if your child speaks Turkish fluently, he or she will enjoy the stories, songs, and games that will reinforce and expand his or her vocabulary and grammar. Children love to learn, and they love to play. Our lesson plans are created to add vocabulary and grammar even for fluent speakers. There is always room for improvement and to learn and explore more.

Do I have to be able to speak Turkish myself?

No, parents do not have to be proficient in Turkish for their children to learn the language. However, keep in mind that it is helpful to expose the kids to the Turkish language as often as possible.

Which merhabakids’ Turkish module should my child start with?

We offer a variety of modules. Take a look at our module schedule. If you’re still unsure, please contact us at [email protected]. We can discuss with you the best module options based on your child’s Turkish skills and learning level.

How will I know if my child is a “beginner” or already “advanced”?

We offer free trial classes to find out what is best for your child. Additionally, please contact us at [email protected]. We can discuss with you the best level based on your child’s Turkish skills. “Beginners” usually listen or speak less. They are not actively using their vocabulary even if they already have one.
We consider children to be “advanced” if they are already actively using their vocabulary. Children who have a large passive vocabulary and therefore understand a lot are considered to be “advanced” as well.

How quickly do children learn Turkish in the classes?

Without question, every child is unique and learns languages, at their own pace. Scientific studies have shown that multilingual children sometimes start speaking a little later than children who grow up speaking only one language. However, multilingual children quickly catch up with their single-language speaking peers in language acquisition and often even surpass them.

At what age should a child learn an additional language?

While it used to be assumed that children could not learn more than one language at a time, researchers now know that the opposite is the case. The earlier children learn a foreign language, the easier it is for them to acquire the language—provided the language is heard regularly. Studies have shown that children who hear a foreign language early on more often use correct pronunciation and grammar as they get older. Even if kids do not yet understand everything that is being said, they absorb the sound and melody of the language.

When should children start learning Turkish grammar systematically?

Through research, we know that children up to the age of 7 can easily learn different languages that are spoken—and sung—to them. They internalize the grammar they need to understand and communicate on their own. We do not practice grammar in the classes for younger children. As with mother tongue acquisition, grammar is learned through repeated listening and speaking. The focus is on the children having fun and learning the Turkish language naturally.

Why is Turkish an important language?

About 75 million people speak Turkish as their first language, making it one of the globe’s 15 most widely spoken first languages. Another 15 million people speak Turkish as a second language. Speaking Turkish opens the door to communicating with the over 90 million people who speak Turkish.

How can I support my child’s learning experience with merhabakids?

Parents can best support their children by providing an appropriate environment with no distractions or background noises. If background noise is unavailable, your child may benefit from a headset. The student should sit in a well-lit area so that the instructor can see the student.

Younger kids may need assistance during class, such as working the computer.

Setup:

• Leave the “background” of the Zoom meeting turned off. Our teachers need to see the children’s faces and their work.
• The child should sit in a well-lit area
• Please enter your child’s name on Zoom before class.

Material needed for all classes:

• Colored crayons (Black; Blue; Brown; Green; Orange; Red; Violet; Yellow),
• Pencil and eraser,
• White paper

Additional materials needed in some classes will be sent out before first lesson. Please prepare them before each lesson and put them in front of your child. The teacher will tell you which class is coming up. If your child is just starting, ask us at [email protected] which lesson is coming up for your child.

What does our merhabakids membership look like?

• The membership period is monthly.
• Every additional class (for siblings or more classes) will be discounted with US$10.
• Our group lessons are conducted with a minimum of two and a maximum of five students, our group lessons offer personalized attention and a collaborative learning environment. The monthly fee is US$120.
• We offer one-on-one Classes for a more individualized learning experience at US$360 per month.

Do you offer a family discount?

Yes. We offer a family discount of US$10.

Do you offer bonuses if my child joins more than 1 class per week?

Yes. We offer a bonus of US$10 for every additional class per month.

When can I enroll my child?

Registration is ongoing throughout the year, so your child may join merhabakids at any time!

Do you offer trial classes?

Yes, we offer trial classes to new students. Just contact us.

Do you offer make-up classes?

Yes. We offer the option to make up every missed class while your child remains enrolled in merhabakids. Please let us know at least 48 hours in advance that your child will be missing the class!

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

A prorated refund will be made if merhabakids can’t provide a class nor make-up class.

If you ever wish to change your billing information or to discontinue your class membership, please simply let us know 10 days prior to your next billing in writing and we will cancel your monthly payments.

To ensure that your refund request is processed effectively and is approved, please make sure that you meet the following requirements. Specify your concern and claim your refund via email [email protected].

merhabakids refund policy is not applicable if:

• you choose a discounted coupon or if
• you choose a promo/special service package

For additional questions please contact us via email [email protected].