Enab Baladi – Ras al-Ain
The city of Ras al-Ain in northwestern al-Hasakah is witnessing a growing interest in Turkish language courses, with the hope of enhancing job opportunities.
This trend has gradually increased over the past five years, following the control of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) over the region in 2019.
Knowledge of the Turkish language has become essential for facilitating work in various institutions, both in the private and public sectors, prompting many individuals to enroll in these courses.
Enhancing job opportunities
There are two main centers for learning Turkish in Ras al-Ain: the “Asas” organization center and the Directorate of Education,” both of which offer free courses with no fees.
At the same time, some individuals interested in learning Turkish are turning to private courses, provided by teachers in their homes or online for a fee.
Young man Firas al-Hamdani enrolled in a Turkish language course in Ras al-Ain, where he resides, considering learning it an important step towards securing a job, especially since he does not have a university degree.
Al-Hamdani, 19, explained that the need for Turkish speakers has increased across various sectors due to the expansion of businesses, and the demand from both public and private institutions for translators spurred him to learn the language.
He stated that he wants to be qualified for a good job, noting that mastering the language will open many opportunities for him in the job market and enhance his employment prospects.
On the other hand, Rami al-Khaled, an employee at a private pharmaceutical supply company in Ras al-Ain, said that learning Turkish has become a necessity in his professional field.
He mentioned that he needs to understand medical terminology and communicate with Turkish suppliers to ensure the accuracy of information related to medications.
Al-Khaled added that he enrolled in Turkish language courses to be able to read prescriptions and understand usage instructions better, indicating that mastering the language helps him advance in his career and increases his chances of future promotions.
Zekaria al-Said, another young man from Ras al-Ain with a high school diploma, told Enab Baladi that he is looking for a job but has not been able to secure one so far.
Al-Said noticed an interest in schools for hiring teachers of Turkish and English, which enhanced his desire to learn these languages.
He added that he learned that the Directorate of Education opened a free multi-month course, allowing students who pass the tests the chance to be appointed as Turkish language teachers, and mentioned that he plans to join the course.
Sectors requiring languages
A source in the Directorate of Education in Ras al-Ain told Enab Baladi that the free courses provided by the local council, including the Turkish language course, are witnessing a wide turnout, especially from the youth.
Currently, there is an active Turkish language course with 80 students at the first level (A1), according to the source, attributing the turnout to the importance of languages in various sectors, especially in the education sector, which needs teachers proficient in both Turkish and English.
The source mentioned that the Directorate of Education also opened a vocational high school that includes several specialties, the most important of which are automotive electricity, mechanics, blacksmithing, machining, and carpentry. Through this step, the Directorate of Education will collaborate with the local council to integrate youth directly into the labor market.
Ras al-Ain relies mainly on the agricultural sector, limiting the diversity of available job opportunities for residents. Additionally, the poor infrastructure and small size of the area have reduced its ability to attract investments, contributing to an increase in youth unemployment and diminishing purchasing power among residents.
Ras al-Ain is located along the Turkish border, with a population of approximately 115,000 residents, and is surrounded by combat fronts with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Turkish border is considered its only access point to the outside world.
There are no universities in Ras al-Ain, as the educational chain ends once a student completes secondary education, especially since accessing universities in opposition-held areas is nearly impossible for the region’s residents, since crossing into Turkey and then to northern Aleppo is not accessible to civilians.