Job Discussion Forums

[rrrichard]

Hey everyone,

How's it going? I hope well. I'm pretty good. The heights of my happiness are of little consequence though, as I have important questions. Please bear with me.

About a month ago I received my TEFL certification, and I felt on top of the world... maybe head over heels fantastic. I was excited to get a job, and I felt this would be pretty easy, especially with a job placement program provided by the company that certified me. The program asks me "Where would you like to teach?" I tell them Turkey. ( I'd done some travelling in Turkey during the summer, and decided I would love to live and work there for a year or two. I had also heard from some friends that ESL jobs were easier to come by in Turkey than candy in a candy store. Candy is another passion of mine.) Anyways, this job placement 'specialist' informs me Turkey doesn't have a very active market. If there was anywhere in the world I couldn't get a job, it would be in Turkey.

For a while, I felt pretty bummed out. This whole 'not working in Turkey' thing was bollocks, so I decided to scour the internet for something, anything, in Turkey. Then I find this forum. People here say jobs really do grow on trees! I am excited again. I learn that my job placement program actually has an agenda which states that they want to send as many people to China as they possibly can! I am not impressed.
-but really, are you really interested in all this?

I don't have a degree and I'm only 19 years old. I have a TEFL certificate with 10 hours of teaching practice and criticism, and I am truly, madly, deeply in love with Turkey. I didn't want to come here asking a question and look like a total knob, so I did some research first. Officially, every teacher in Turkey requires a degree. Unofficially, there are untrained backpackers running rampant in Turkish English schools. What are my chances of being able to secure a job in Turkey? From what I read here, it could really happen. Could I have one arranged before I leave Canada? I think that's probably unrealistic, but would be a major weight off my mind.

Legality has been an issue weighing heavily on my mind. At first I was very apprehensive about jumping a border every three months to renew my visa. Again from what I've been reading here, that really isn't that big of a deal in Turkey, either.

I'm also resigned to the fact that my job, if I get one, will be awful. I'm at risked of being screwed around by my employer, and I'm at risk of working in awful conditions with terrible people. This isn't exactly my dream, but I have had awful jobs before. I'm willing to work somewhere that isn't necessarily classy if it means I can go to Turkey.

So, to break it down!
- I'm a 19 year old highschool grad, who graduated with honours in English (if that even means anything)
- Two years experience teaching senior citizens computer literacy.
- One year tutoring for highschool history exams.
- I am extremely dedicated to my dreams, and I can work extremely hard to make them come true.
- TEFL Certified.
- I was accepted to University, but I wanted to go out on my own instead.
- I would really love to teach English in Turkey, which I guess means in Istanbul. I would love Istanbul.

What are my options, if I really have anything?
Any help... I would really love that, mates.

hey, you know what?
Cheers,
Richard Weald

[Otterman Ollie]

Hello Richard
Sorry to rain on your parade but the best advice I or anyone can give you is to take your place at Uni get your all important piece of paper THEN do what you heart tells you .
True you can come here and get work of sorts but I think it would be foolish at best and ill advised at worst for someone on this forum to say otherwise .
your age is against you you have no background in teaching ,you would be in another country ,different culture different language ,the reality of the classroom and what you think you may have under your belt ability wise is a huge difference ,I've seen older wiser more experienced men and women turn tail and run from some class rooms and yet you are willing to jump in quite literally in at the deep end .
However , your biggest obstacle will be your peers should you meet any ,they will resent your youth and the fact that you are unqualified and untrained for the job regardless of how much money you earn .

[Otterman Ollie]

Already the private tet a tets have started ,whats next ?
Mark Lloyd come on down this lad neds your assistance

[Mark Loyd]

As I see it your main problem is your age. You are right that Turkey is full of unqualified, underqualified and bog standard 4 weekers. You could easily get a job at one of the chains of schools with a photocopy of a degree and some kind of photocopied/home made certificate but they would be loathe to employ you because of your age. Students even at the most run down cowboy place expect their teacher to have a degree and being 19 the school cannot really go along with the scam that your photocopy is real.

Your best bet would be to come to Ist and do the rounds of the schools that you do not see advertising for teachers because they cannot afford to employ teachers full time. You would get hourly pay but it would not be great and have no security but that is all you can really expect.

[Baba Alex]

[Baba Alex]

[Baba Alex]

[NMB]

If you applied to university, you obviously have some interest in attending. You're 19 -- You should really consider going to school. Take it from someone who quit at 18 and didn't go back till she was 27! -- because I "wanted to go out on my own instead." It was difficult. At that point, you have so many other issues in your life to contend with.

If the only thing stopping you from attending uni is your desire to be in Turkey, why not try to study abroad in Turkey? Most universities offer such programs.

[rrrichard]

[NMB]

It's good to hear you've got a plan in action regarding school. I do highly recommend that you investigate study abroad programs through your university. You could end up back in Turkey -- or elsewhere -- as a student, make connections, and then take it from there. I first came to France as a student. That year abroad earned me the contacts to come back and work in France.

As far as Istanbul schools...The one I worked for is highly famous on this board. I had no major problems there, but I'd rather not stir up a tired debate.

[rrrichard]

[TeachEnglish]

Go to a University.. for 4 years.. or.. work for a year.. do your taxes.. that will get you a lower tuition at the university.. and maybe you can take some extra classes and finish early.. It is difficult to do this later when you have responsibilities.. because the rentlady.. or the electric company does not care if you are studying..and cannot pay your rent.. etc.. A little bit more age and knowledge.. and experience will help you when you venture into a new country.. and all that goes with that.. Peace

[erinyes]

What about someone who is 23 with 1 year teaching experience in China, a TESOL and is 1/2 way through a degree, currently studying a Business via correspondence?

Do you really have to get a fake degree and take it to the school? Can you be honest with them? Is 1/2 a degree and EXP enough?

My BF is in this situation whereas I have an Education degree. The point is we are a little sick and tired of China, but even here it is getting more and more difficult to work legally without a degree. And for his own reasons my BF refuses to fake a degree cos it's 'wrong' or something.

Any advice?

EDIT:

Also, what are the chances of me getting a fully legal Job and my BF getting a spouse visa or some legal part time work... sorry lots of questions for a first-time poster in the Turkey forum. Your more likley to find me in the China forum.

[TeachEnglish]

You will probably have no trouble getting a job and your BF will be able to get a job but maybe not with all the legal papers. Hehe.. as far as a spouse visa, I think he has to be a spouse. I am not sure about that one. Many or most places here will hire anyone that can speak English to perform in their classes for their customers. He may have to work illegally, but it is not so bad, most people here do it. You will have to do a visa run every 3 months and the plus side of that is there are some interesting places to visit near Turkey. You might even luck out and get an accommodation together provided by the employer. Atleast he is working on his paper/education/degree. You should come to Turkey, give it a try, make some contacts, and take it from there. Good luck

[scot47]

Get a degree.