Job Discussion Forums

amandakay · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: USA

Hello! I am a major newbie to the TEFL world. I've been reading the posts on the Turkey forum for a few weeks now, and I have to admit I'm a bit intimidated. Please go easy on me. Wink

I'm still in college working on my BA...but I found a site that advertised summer camps in China that were open to university students. Is anyone aware of a similar program in Turkey? If not, is it possible to teach for only a summer? Thanks in advance for your help!!

Amanda

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

there is an english school in izmir called "address english" my roomate worked there for the summer. you have to baby sit children and "teach" them english. one of the kids spit his food all over my friend and tried to stab him with a sharp pencil. they pay 15 YTL for an hour.

amandakay · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: USA

Wow...intense. 15 YTL? Is that enough to live on and pay rent? I was actually more interested in Istanbul, but failed to include that in my first post.

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

where is thrifty when you need him?

the answer is both yes and no, like many things. it's ok in izmir but in istanbul you be looking for empty beer bottles at night to make ends meet

amandakay · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: USA

Well, as tempting as picking up beer bottles sounds, I don't know if that would be my first choice. Anyone else know of any other options?

Nmarie · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 85 Location: Paris

How would one go about finding summer-only lodging in Izmir?

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

Quite a few of the language schools offer summer only contracts, usually June, July and August. English Time, Interlang, EF etc usually recruit all year round and tend to lose a lot of teachers at the end of the academic year, so need staff for the summer time. They don't pay fantastically and might not be the best quality schools, but it would give you a taste of Istanbul.

sandyhoney2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 189

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

jamessmart50 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 91 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

There are shedloads of summer schools where I'm spending my xmas here in sunny sunny Eastbourne... heaps and heaps and heaps and heaps...

amandakay · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: USA

Would one of the language schools employ me on a tourist visa? I have to imagine going through the process of a work visa for only 3 mon. would be a hassle. Part time work would actually be ok, as long as the hours were stable and they provided housing. Is this a realistic expectation? Should I contact one of the lauguage schools?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

The question is:

Would any language school get you a work permit?

amandakay · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: USA

Well, since you are all living in Turkey...would it be completely foolish to just show up in Istanbul in May hoping to find a job for the summer? I really don't care what is it-hotel, hostel, bar, etc. I was thinking that since it would be tourist season there may be positions available. Thanks for any advice y'all can offer!

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

It would be extremely foolish. You cannot compete with Turks for unskilled work unless you are willing to consider the world's oldest profession. Summer TEFL work is almost impossible to find for a newbie unless it is pocket money in a camp.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Thrifty is right. Only answer is to sell your body.