Istanbul is the only city in the world that sits on two continents at once. I first spent real time here nearly twenty years ago, and coming back this year — straight after finishing the India project — felt like closing a loop I didn't know was still open.
The city hasn't just changed — it's grown into itself. And so, in a way, have the people learning English here. Most of the professionals I meet in Istanbul today already understand English well. They've studied it for years, they can read reports and write emails. What's missing isn't knowledge — it's confidence. That gap, between understanding a language and trusting yourself to use it out loud, is exactly what brought me back.
Three Ways I'm Helping Istanbul Professionals Speak With Confidence
- Business English — leading meetings, presenting under pressure, and negotiating in a second language without losing authority.
- Fluency Classes — speaking naturally in real time, without mentally translating from Turkish first.
- Travel & Trade — the international networking English needed for conferences, trade partners, and cross-border business.
Thank You to Everyone Who Welcomed Me Back
None of this happens without the people who made the return feel like coming home. Huge thanks to Dilşad Özkaya, Dr. Ayhan Aksu, Gönül E., Fatih Bayram, Atilla Aksak, Maral, Sevinç, and Kerime for the hospitality, the conversations, and the reminders of why this city — and this work — matters to me.
If any of this sounds like you — you understand English but freeze up the moment you need to use it in a meeting, a negotiation, or a room full of strangers — that's exactly the gap I help close.
Welcome to Destination English! We're excited to have you join us. To help us get started, please fill out this form. Once you've completed it, just drop us a message, and we'll be happy to schedule an informal meeting. We're looking forward to meeting you and providing the best course to improve your English!