The versatile powers of language teacher Dilara
Dilara Dibooglu enjoys the simple things in life: a good book, a nice movie and a delicious cup of coffee. When she is not teaching, she is often with her family or walking in the woods. Dilara is a versatile young woman and, in her own words, a real family person, who, in addition to her work as a holistic children's coach, gives language lessons in both Dutch and Turkish with great passion and enthusiasm. She does this at Language Institute TaalTaal in Scheveningen, the place to be in the field of language and culture!
This kind of job is tailor-made for someone as Dilara. Her own experience with different cultures – Turkish, Arabic and Dutch – helps her students who learn the language from different cultural backgrounds. Of course, that is not always easy, but it is a fun challenge! Dilara mentions the example of 'untranslatable' Dutch expressions. Dilara: "The Dutch expression “door de bomen het bos niet meer zien”, literally sounds very strange in Turkish. These kinds of language differences make teaching interesting, because it offers an opportunity to talk about visual language, culture and how people want to say the same thing in different ways."
Dilara’s goal is for her students to not only learn proper grammar, but also to gain the courage to express themselves. She says, “Language opens doors to jobs, connections, and self-confidence. I want my students to understand that language is much more than words: it is a way to present yourself in society and interact with people from different backgrounds.” A special moment Dilara remembers was during a class with three women from different countries: an Iranian, an English, and a Turkish woman. They shared their personal stories about their origins and cultures, and the conversations were filled with respect, warmth, and curiosity. This moment showed Dilara how language connects people across cultural divides.
Teaching in two languages gives Dilara the opportunity to connect two worlds. She explains: "Dutch is structured and direct, while Turkish is often warmer and more lively. Both languages are part of who I am, and I enjoy switching between them. I also incorporate cultural elements into my lessons, such as Turkish hospitality, which makes the lessons more effective and relatable for students."
What inspired Dilara to become a teacher was her childhood, growing up surrounded by different languages and cultures. Dilara: "I saw how important it is to master a language, especially to be able to express yourself and find a place in society. This insight motivated me to help others through language education. I teach with the desire to empower others, so that through language they can better understand the world and express themselves confidently."
Now, who wouldn't want to take lessons from Dilara? Turkish, Dutch, you name it. Check out the TaalTaal website www.taaltaal.nl/en for all the new 'connecting' language courses starting in the week of April 14th. Free intakes are available all year round via www.taaltaal.nl/en/intake
Yakında görüşürüz/ tot ziens at TaalTaal!