Job Discussion Forums

turkishlover25 · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Charleston, IL USA

Okay so I have a BA in English and a little teaching experience. I guess the next step simply has to be acquiring a certificate of some kind. I have been looking at ViaLingua's program as well as the British Council's - does anyone have any advice on which one is "better"?

Also, if I take that route then money will be more of a factor then before (as in I will have very little). The course is one month long and begins in February: about how much money should I have saved up to last about 2 months in Istanbul without a job?

Then the next question is finding a job with my new qualification. Is it possible to hunt for a job while I'm in the process of getting the certificate, or will I have to wait and hope to come across something in March?

If anyone has any related advice, I would be extremely thankful if you could help me out. When/if I move to Istanbul, I promise the first round is on me... as long as your advice leads me there Laughing

Frizzie Lizzie · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:30 pm Post subject:

Go for an internationally recognised certificate (like CELTA), which is offered by the British Council and ITI. It might be more expensive, but it's worth it in the long run.
As for how much to bring, it really depends on your life style...some people manage to get by with 6-700 USD a month, others find themselves spending 1200 and not knowing where the money goes.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

The four week cert will qualify you for a low paid, deadend job with pathetic conditions.

turkishlover25 · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Charleston, IL USA

Is it possible to get someone not so negative to comment? And I am not looking to make a career out of it... just have some good experiences.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

Yawn. You are really a:

a. poet
b. writer
c. actor
d. musician

That is why you are doing TEFL. I have heard this same old story so many times. Is anyone out there a TEFLer?

NMB · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 84 Location: France

Give it a rest, Mark Loyd. The guy's 21 years old, and you are making sweeping generalizations. Who are you to criticize his interest in exploring Turkey...and whatever else he may want to do?

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

It is not TURKEY he wants to explore.

turkishlover25 · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Charleston, IL USA

Actually I do want to explore Turkey as much as possible. Meeting a Turkish girl gave me a REASON to learn more about it's culture, history, and geography. Even if she is gone, my curiousity is not lessened.

I have taken the time to learn Turkish so I am not about to just forget about Turkey. It has a lot to offer to anyone willing to loosen up and explore, disgruntled TEFLers included.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

I bet you hope some girls loosen up.

sandyhoney2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 189

rrrichard · Joined: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 12

let's go to turkey together, turkishlover25. it will be wonderful!
we can have matching teaching outfits and /everything/

crashartist1 · Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 164

Turkishlover, I would suggest that if you are interested in making this a career then the best thing for you to do is to go for the highest level of education that you are prepared to undertake. As in most things in this word the paper based qualifications are important for the first year or two then after that the experience means the most. Even MarkBey can agree to that. Look at your money, look at your situation adn look at the long term; CTEFL, CELTA/DELTA/Trinity, M.A. TESOL. The girls will always be here, the history has been here for over 3000 years so it isn't going anywhere anytime to soon and Mark will still be here to offer you advice on where not to go.

Crashartist1

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517