Job Discussion Forums

ClaireCompton · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

This is a pretty standard question, and yes I have looked at all the threads on this forum before asking it.
I'm taking a TEFL course in August, after which I plan on finding a job in Istanbul. I've spoken via email to ET and Berlitz, though briefly. Both expressed interest in speaking further once I got my TEFL, but no guarantees of jobs.
I'm thinking about simply showing up in Istanbul and contacting schools. I realize I'm inexperienced, and naively optimistic, so I'm a bit nervous that I'm going to get royally screwed over. What are the most important questions to ask schools? And what can I reasonably demand from schools in terms of pay, accomodation help, insurance, etc.
By the way I have a B.A. in English, I'm 23, American female. Not sure if that affects anything.

Thank you in advance for the outpouring of advice I just know you're going to give me. Wink

ClaireCompton · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Oh and since these types of questions tend to go unanswered on this website ... I will buy whoever gives me advice that helps an Efes if I finally make it Istanbul. A bottle of Raki if you get me a job.

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

Check your PMs.

ClaireCompton · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Does that refer to messages? If so I don't have any.

emypie · Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:49 pm Post subject:

If you have the cash to back you up, in terms of finding temporary lodging (or a friend you can shack up with) in Istanbul, I think you'd be ok. Once you are here and go knock on a hell of a lot of doors with your resume in hand, and I'm sure you'd have no problem getting interviews and finding a job quickly.

There are loads of schools in Istanbul other than ET and Berlitz. It is worth getting in touch with as many as possible to suss out the situation, find out what the different schools offer in terms of salary and accomodation. Tell them when you're coming, and see if they will set up a meeting.

About getting screwed.... I'd say don't worry too much about it. Just get your foot in the door, get some experience, and if your boss isn't quite true to their word, then so be it. I know this sounds crazy. But I've been screwed before and really, it wasn't the end of the world. I think a LOT of people on this cafe whine like a bunch of little babies unnecessarily and it can make first-time teachers nervous about moving somewhere new.

Just please take my advice on ONE THING -- make sure you've SAVED enough of your own money to not have to rely on anyone's word. This tefl business can be a tricky one, things don't always go according to plan and bosses break their word. This can happen anywhere in the world. Just be smart, do research, and have YOUR OWN MONEY, so if you DO get screwed you can take care of yourself.

ClaireCompton · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Thank you! I plan to have 2000 US when I get to Istanbul, and I figured (hopefully not naively) this would do until I started to get a paycheck.
Also, what sort of paperwork should I bring? Do they require notarized copies of diplomas or is a simple copy enough?

duduonde · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

Clare,

Yes, there are places in Istanbul that mess you around, but that seems true of many cities in many places. Usually, K12 schools rather than the dersanes (language schools) are much more reliable and professional. Having said that they expect well qualified and professional people to work for them. There is a newly opened school just out of the city about 15/ 20 minutes from the airport. They are looking for a native speaker EFL teacher possibly for younger kids - 5 or 6 yrs old - if you are interested in a 'proper' teaching job rather than a 'casual' one, send me your CV and contact details. I am English and have been around here for many years and can guarantee that they are a bona fide school, with state of the art facilities and really professional staff. Smile

Kodak · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 101 Location: Leeds, England

Hi Claire,

I am sort of in the same boat as you. I'm a recent University Graduate (with a BA (Hons) in Ancient History and have a desire to embark on the wonderful and unpredictable journey that is TEFL.

This past month I have had the intention of beginning my TEFL career in Japan with Nova and I have an interview there in July. However, now I'm having second thoughts. Turkey was my original choice as my girlfriend is currently living in Istanbul, however I did a little research and Japan looked like the more 'noob' friendly place to go.

I am now greatly wanting to start in Turkey like yourself for a number of reasons. Firstly, I love Turkey. I've been about half a dozen times and each time I have had an amazing time. Secondly, I love my girlfriend and this is where I sound like a big sissy hehe Laughing

; I'm not sure if I can be THAT far away (i.e. Japan) from her for a whole year.

I've again been doing some research for Turkey but I still keep coming up against dead ends. I can't see any placements or school willing to take on people with no experience. Of course I understand this but everyone has to start somewhere.

May I ask what sort of TEFL course you are taking? I really can't afford to take one of the TESOL / CELTA ones right now as they hit �1000 here in the UK most places. That isn't to say I'm not serious about this but that's money I simply do not have right now.

I would love to being my time in Turkey but I jsut don't know where to turn. The Berlitz webpage is telling me I need a TESOL / CELTA and as for the ET one, who are they? I've not seen anything really on this forum or elsewhere under 'ET', what's it stand for?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Ben

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

check your pms

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

thrifty

I checked my pm's but I don't have any. What is going on ?

ClaireCompton · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Twice now thrifty has implied that one has a pm, without following through. What a tease you are.

Kodak, I'm taking the TEFL International Course in Bordeaux. It is quite expensive, $1,300 US, not to mention housing and eating. Hence I'm working two jobs at the moment.

Earlier this Spring I attempted to find work without getting the qualification. A gentleman at ET first told me management said that wasn't a problem, as I had a B.A. in English. Once I had sent him copies of my passport and diploma, the offer was reversed. I'm not complaining about ET, just noting that they do in fact require some sort of teaching certificate.

It'd be wonderful to have a job lined up before I head over, but I am just planning to go to Istanbul in September, and knock on doors with my resume and a lovely smile. Worse comes to absolute worse, I'll have saved enough money to get back home.

If I were you, I might just suck it up and take the course. It's a hit financially, but it seems to open a lot of doors.

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

No Claire. The PM was not for Scot.

Why are you doing a TEFL International course. It is not recognised by either the Turkish Ministry of Education or anybody else?

One should do the CELTA if one is going to pay out that much.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Thrifty, I may be wrong. But the last time I was involved in recruitment(4 years ago) It really didn't matter. If your cert has the words teaching and English on it. You will get the green light from the MofE

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

I am sure the badly paid civil servants will let almost anything through but why not do the CELTA if you are going to pay out all that money and be sure that you have a cert that is recognised everywhere.

ClaireCompton · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

The CELTA was actually more expensive, by quite a bit. Also, in doing my research, the jobs I was looking at did not distinguish much between the two. Especially given I have a BA from a good school in English. At that point, they just need a certificate to feel ok about hiring me.
I'm not denigrating the certification process, but it didn't appear to be the most important element of one's CV.
I did try to take a CELTA course. I tried a couple, in fact, and the acceptance process was so convoluted few of them followed up. I didn't want to sit around and wait for them to get their act together, or wait to see if I was "accepted," whatever that entails.