I have complete respect for your efforts; I am becoming more embarrassed by my 'just enough to get by' Turkish although put me in a room with a wholesaler and I suddenly become almost fluent!
Sometimes I think immersing yourself in the culture and only being around Turkish people that don't speak any English is the only way to really learn the language.
I have found that when you don't have a choice such as travelling in parts of Turkey where no one speaks English suddenly I find I have the words, maybe a bit slow but enought to be understood and with practice it becomes easier.
I do find it frustrating around here sometimes though when you go to a shop or a market and you end up having a converstaion with you speaking Turkish and the Turk speaking English.
Anyway, good luck with this I had saved this web site to my favourites so I will take a leaf out of your book and make more of an effort.
