My turkish teacher had told me that Tomer is by far more reliable than Dilmer. While discussing about the exams I should pass to get my first degree in the turkish language, she said that although at Dilmer the tests were easier, I should apply at Tomer, cause that certificate would worth more.

Also, for what this is worth, note that Tomer's certificate is recognized by the greek government, but Dilmer's not.

And do you know that Tõmer is also available through Distance Learning. I am now assessing whether it is worth while as the lessons are very structured. You can have a look at sample lessons (Units) on the site.

Thanks for your replies

i took courses both at dilmer and tömer. teaching methods are fairly similar. the main difference is the amount of grammar you learn in one course. as i said dilmer does the same grammar as tömer in six months instead of twelve. which one you prefer is up to you.
as for tömer in taksim, it´s just rumours but the people i met found it a bit too business like and anonymous.
i think in the end it comes down to your group an your teacher.. good luck

I'm going to follow a Turkish course at EF Language Center in Levent/Istanbul. I've been in contact with Dilmer as well, and they're very friendly and helpful, but what struck me was that they don't offer any housing, only some addresses.
That's the reason why I chose for EF.. I'm not quite sure, but I think they're not that much more expensive than when you're looking for a place yourself..

Good luck, and drop me a message when you'll be there, we might meet! (I'm probably there from the 9th of July until the 9th of August..)

xxx

i found this about dilmer and tömer on this guy's travel log:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/20ab6/1c0a38/a/

"There are two schools for foreigners to learn Turkish in Istanbul. The one I studied at was called Dilmer, which takes you right from beginners' level to advanced where you sit for the Turkish Universities' Language Certificate. Each course lasts one month, with four hours of lessons five days a week (20 hours a week). You can choose to study mornings or afternoons, or spread one course over two months by only studying three days a week. They also have weekend and evening classes. A one month intensive course costs 280 Euro.

Some of the teachers are excellent, others less so. I was just lucky. Most of them know at least one other language (usually English German or Greek) This is obviously useful in the beginning, but foreign languages are discouraged in class, everything explained in Turkish. Classes are never huge, but are rarely as small as they are advertised, usually around 10-12. The best thing about Dilmer is its localtion, just off Inonu Caddesi, the road which runs from Taksim Square through Gumussuyu to the Besiktas Stadium and Dolmabahce Palace. Taksim Square is just 5 minutes walk away, making Dilmer easily accessible from all parts of the city.

An alternative school is Tomer, which is run by Ankara University. There are branches all over the country (Trabzon, Kayseri, Bursa, etc.) but don't get too excited, as the Turkish courses are really only available in Ankara, Istanbul and possibly Izmir. The school in Istanbul is in an area called Sisli (s is like sh both times...shishli), not the most attractive part of istanbul, but fairly central (half hour walk from Taksim Square, 2 stops by metro). The courses there are similar in price, but students who had 'defected' to Dilmer complained about the very strict exam system.

While searching for the websites above, i came across this school, which I haven't heard of before; Concept Languages in Etiler Maybe worth investigating..."