About Halbuki

Born and raised in Istanbul, and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Yağız (pronounced Yaaz) has been passionate about language, particularly his native Turkish since a very young age. He has a master's degree in Linguistics from Boğaziçi University, has over 10 years of experience teaching Turkish to non-native speakers and has taught Turkish summer intensive programs at Boğaziçi University, the top Turkish language program in the world, and at University of Pittsburg. In addition to English and Turkish, Yağız is also fluent in German, and is currently working on Russian and Quechua. Yağız is also an accomplished translator and interpreter. Besides his impressive language experience, Yağız is a performing musician, music teacher, specializing in Greek, Turkish and Balkan music, and a writer.

A lifelong time language lover, Lola is fluent in English, Russian and French, and is currently studying Turkish. Lola has over 12 years of experience conducting research on Education in the international development context, and is now running research on language learning, developing the programs marketing and communications materials, and leading events for Halbuki. 

Çağla (pronounced Chaala) is a philosopher and a linguistic justice activist. She is currently working on her dissertation as a Ph.D. Candidate in the Philosophy Department at Syracuse University. Her research is about linguistic agency with a special focus on nonnative speaking. She tries to understand what it is like to navigate the world with different languages and different kinds of expertise in each of these languages. She is particularly interested in ways in which nonnative speaking changes the speaker's relationship with their own mind. Çağla is also an active member of various linguistic justice initiatives. In addition to impeccable English and Turkish, she is also fluent in French.

Orestis is a native Greek with a deep knowledge of every aspect of the language. As a Greek Instructor he combines multiple teaching methods, making sure that every student receives a personalized approach based on their needs, desires, strengths and weaknesses. In addition to Modern Greek, Orestis is also fluent in English and French. He is co-owner of a book publishing company located in Athens, which publishes books on ancient and contemporary philosophy, literature, essays and biographies. His multi-language skills are a must in this work field. Orestis started teaching Greek while living in the US, and has over a decade of experience teaching the language to second language learners. He has since moved back to Athens and continues to teach Greek from his home in Greece. Prior to teaching at Halbuki, Orestis has taught Greek at the Greek School of the Annunciation in Sacramento and worked as a Greek Interpreter for multiple agencies in the US. In addition to his impressive language accolades, Orestis is a seasoned professional musician, specializing in Greek music, specifically Rebetica. Orestis is an accomplished lyricist & songwriter, and has performed his own songs for television and radio, as well as performed with other renowned musicians.

Nataliya is an experienced and dedicated language instructor specializing in teaching Russian as a foreign language. With over a decade of teaching experience, Nataliya has developed expertise in creating personalized lesson plans, innovative teaching methods, and culturally immersive activities to engage students. She has worked with learners of all ages, from young children to adults, and has consistently achieved impressive improvements in student proficiency, including a 40% increase in language skills for her students at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh. Nataliya’s professional background includes tutoring, curriculum development, and utilizing modern digital tools to enhance learning. She holds a Master’s degree in Russian Language and Literature and has completed specialized courses in teaching Russian to children and distance learning techniques. Nataliya studied Distance Learning of Foreign Languages at St. Petersburg State University (SPGU) and Methods of Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language at Moscow State University (MGU).

Zeynel is a seasoned linguist with over a decade of experience in translation, localization, and language education. He splits his time between Turkey and Buenos Aires. He has worked on language localization at major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Meta, handling diverse projects from technical documentation to marketing, always ensuring culturally appropriate communication. Zeynel specializes in teaching Turkish to English and Spanish speakers, backed by his expertise in curriculum design and a pedagogical formation certificate. His passion for language extends to cultural preservation, with a special focus on indigenous and endangered languages, enriching his culturally sensitive teaching approach.