merhaba Lingwhizka. I should point out that this topic was started back in 2009, and I think the last update from Faruk was February 2011? So Im not really sure if he´s still active on the site.

But as it happens, I actually live in Maryland, and fairly close to D.C. (closer to DC than to Baltimore even!) Also pretty regualar on this site and..also learning Turkish since last June.

I actually know of a Turkish speaking/learning group that meets up around NoVa, at various restaurants and such, of which Im sort of a member. If you´d like to know more, or chat feel free to PM me. 

I know that in my part of MD, there is very little Turkish culture representation, though i have met two people from Turkey who own their own businesses here in my neighborhood. But i feel like Id be disturbing them for some reason.

Hello Mavili.

Thank you for the reply.  I think I may know a couple of people from that group of Turkish learners. I have not met with the group, but based on my experiences in the past, such groups tend to switch to their native language when they meet. While this can be a nice social experience, it rarely constitutes a meaningful language practice.

I wonder what your experience with that group was. Do you mind sharing? Out of curiousity, why did you decide to learn Turkish?

P.S. I was aware that the thread was old when I posted my message, but I saw Faruk´s messages in other forums dated last November and thought he might still be around. 

Faruk is still around. if memory serves me right I have seen him around not long ago

Ah okay cool, I guess I had just been missing posts from Faruk

From the start, ive been learning Turkish for my BF who is Turkish but he lives in Turkey so its sort of a distance relationship but we´ve been a couple for about a year and 4 months now. He knows a fair amount of English already so all our communication has been in that so far. But its limited, there´s still much he would not know how to say with English. Plus for my own satisfaction to know I can accomplish something I set out to do.

I understand it´d be easy to feel left out if you met up with those Turks, and they started to chat in Turkish but it goes faster than you can still comprehend as a learner. Though even if I felt left out, Id still listen for anything I could understand. Thats why I sometimes will watch the chat here if there are people  writing in Turkish and try to see what all I can understand based on what Ive been learning.

Though when it comes to speaking practice, well Ive basically only had some practive with the bf but over msn, but we still mostly use English.

Ive not been able to go to any of the meets yet of That group because most of the activities are are in N. Va, which, while only about an hour drive, I´m kind of a afraid to go there alone as I am not familiar with the area. But maybe one day!

I am here, still alive My last post is dated back to November 2011 but I check the site regulary.

About this topic, I needed to update it a few months ago, however, I was never expecting anyone to respond it. For those who wants to practice/learn Turkish in Northern Virginia area, I have returned to Turkey. Sad but true (After writing these last words, the song is playing in my head!)

I now only teach/practice on this website and MSN Messenger. Anyone willing to ask any questions, practice Turkish can send me a message. I will be glad to help.

Thank you!

Good to know you are still around the site I hope you enjoyed your stay in America, while you were attending class. Thanks for the offer for Turkish. Even if we can´t meet you in person, every little bit of assistance is appreciated.

Herkese teşekkür ederim. I feel very welcome here. 

Mavili:

Long distance relationships are not easy and it is impressive that you handle yours so well. I could accompany you to one of the meetings of that group, if you ever decide to join them. I am curious to see if the people I know will be there.

Faruk:

I hope you enjoy your life there in Turkey; I certainly would. 

I guess, I will sign up for the class then. Do you ever teach over Skype? After I complete the class in May, I think I will still need some practice. We could exchange contacts over PM so that we can discuss it in a couple of months. I do not MSN, but I have facebook.

Ah Lingwhizka, that would be great, having another English speaking buddy to go to those Turkish meet ups with would be wonderful That way when we get better using Turkish, but for moments we don´t need to use it, we´ll have English to chat with each other.

Mavili, I have sent you a private message with my contact information. Let me know when you would like to meet with the group.