Job Discussion Forums

[RedElse]

Hi there - am considering a position in Istanbul..and was just wanting to hear from anyone who has taught in Turkey. Negative and positive feedback appreciated. Also - what is a decent/normal salary for a teacher there? I have the stuff...CELTA, BA, experience... Is it expensive to live there? Is it difficult for a single woman? etc etc...

Let me know soon please - I have to make a decision.

Cheers.

[Faustino]

Who has offered you a job?

[dmb]

Very possible to have good life here and still save. I'll leave the single woman question to those more qualified.

[vre]

Hi there

The best thing to do is have a good read of the threads on this forum and then ask some specifics. Also give us some info on the place and package offered, if you can.

However, it is very easy for single women to live here - nearly as much as it is in European countries. I would say though that the more conservatively you dress (not head to toe - just not like the girls in Britain wearing no bras and short rara skirts that show what they've had for breakfast) the less hassle you will get. Also about women see questions for women thread. I feel very safe here, more so than in the UK.

Also, if you look very 'foreign' then you will tend to attract more attention, but nothing frightening - just stares and maybe people wanting to speak to you. You learn to 'look Turkish' by not giving eye contact and having a serious face on to avoid attraction, something I find really hard still because I am so used to being able to smile at men without them thinking it's a 'come on'.

A decent salary? I don't really know. It depends where you work and what is included in the package for you.

My advice - come here, it is a very interesting city and I don't know of anyone who regrets their time here. There are many people you will meet and also from this forum who would help you out when you are here if you need it.

[RedElse]

Thanks for the replies. Actually -at the moment I am trying to choose between Wall Street and Berlitz...

Also - is a salary of around 1600 (million?) Lira per month reasonable? (not inclusive of accommodation)

I read the thread about women, thanks - clothes, tampons etc - sounds like my life in China. Sigh. Once I went home/moved to France, I went crazy shopping..hurrah.

[Scarred2]

I have heard that Berlitz is a bit of a dodgy place to work. The school in Taxsim (do they have others in Istanbul?) has a reputation for having a very high turnover of staff. The guy who runs it also is supposed to be a prat. I haven't met him, but I heard this from a member of the admin staff. I know that Berlitz did have some good teachers though.

Wall Street, again I have heard that the guy who runs this place is always scamming. Generally you don't hear too much positive things about it. However you should speak to someone on the staff. Perhaps post a post titled Wall Streetor Berlitz and I am sure you will get a better picture.

[yaramaz]

I make around that amount and I do well enough. I pay for my own accomodation as well. I dont save as much as I used to when I worked in a kolej that provided free housing but I am much happier and I certainly dont feel deprived. Also, as a female who has been here almost three years I can say I have been hassled less here (and in central Anatolia where I spent my first two years) that in other cities I have lived in (London, Dublin, Vancouver, Cape Town). Overall no regrets.

[JoeInIstanbul]

The teachers and the students at Berlitz are the only thing good there.. The person that runs the place is difficult.. forget trying to have a conversation with him if you have anything to say.. Some teachers have been there for over a year.. but they are the ones with nerves of steel that have been able to ignore the management crap.. or maybe have been able to dodge it.. I do not know anything about Wall Street.. I have been trying to find out more about that place myself.. good luck.. Important about Berlitz.. they pay on time.. hmm..can't think of anything else positive about them..

[corall]

as a more foreign looking female i have not had too many problems but i have had a lot of odd situations - being followed for hours, rude comments and gestures - A LOT of rude comments and gestures actually. but with that being said if your a foreign looking female in a country that's not really used to your kind, you gotta expect it and learn to deal with it.

hell if youre female in a foreign country you gotta learn to deal with that kind of crap, it goes without saying really. i get more harrassement then any of the females i know hands down and i have never felt in danger, just annoyed. remember to use common sense.

[yaramaz]

Corall, sweetie, you're on holiday! Don't concern yourself with teaching matters! You have a beach at your feet! I only have Bagdat Cad. and a class in 5 min!

[FGT]

Be prepared to pay 400+ YTL for rent. Depending on your life style the cost of living can be very cheap - the more you live like a Turk, the cheaper it is - you can eat out (really basic) for about 5 YTL. Foreign (!) habits like drinking alcohol tend to increase expenditure (beer c. 3.5 YTL).

Life is good.

[corall]

no worries yar. am having a brilliant time. however the night times get a little cold. after a shower and change into something a little warmer i usually have an hour to kill before i meet up with the gang for drinks and such. i am vacationing very well and have extended my stay actually!