Job Discussion Forums

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

I graduate in JUly with a BA (hons) in TESOL witha minor in EUropean studies. I will also be awarded with a CELTA. I am looking at coming to live and work in Istanbul, I eventually want to get into the univesrity system. I have been looking at jobs etc over the net from London (where I am based) and have had offers paying 1500lira per month, I think that this is too low and so am wondering, does anyone know what the chances are of getting a job paying 2000 - 2500 lira a month with my qualifications ofside of Turkey? The reason I ask is that I don't want to end up saying no to more jobs knowing that that is all I can expect to be offered!

Thanks

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

Is that from Trent Poly?

Have you thought of Bilkent University? Before you get a load of moans about Bılkent the money is a bit better, it is a uni, they have a serious teacher training department and they are advertising for new entrants to the teaching game-see tefl.com. Don't get yourself messed up by language schools.

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

Yes, its from NOttingham Trent, how did you know?
Yes, I saw them advertised on tefl.com, But I want to be in Istanbul and correct me if I'm wrong, they aint!

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

Sorry I didn't realise you specifically wanted to be in Ist. Seriously, considering you will have a degree in TESOL-don't work for a language school-we have all been there and it is a non-starter as far as a career goes. Perhaps dmb could suggest something-he would be the best person as he knows so many people.

A good friend of mine went to Trent.

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

My course is famous! ha-ha!

Did your friend study TESOL, if so, we prob have been taught by the same people!

Small world!

Anyway, if not langauge schools, what do you suggest? I hear that langauge schools pay the best!

Anyway, is it hard to find a job paying 2000lira outside of Turkey?

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

The trouble with TEFL is that nice jobs in nice places pay badly whereas tough jobs in tough places pay well. Language schools generally do not pay well as they don't have to and are usually low grade. I am pretty sure that dmb could help you with, for example, a private school that it run by an educational or religous foundation that is better. I worked in Istanbul for five and a half years or so and have been in Middle East for a similar amount of time. I would like ideally to work in Turkey again but I cannot think of a single place that I would like to work at.

I think you need to sort your priorities out-money, long term prospects, nice job, fun place to live, teacher training opportunities, meeting girls etc.

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul

Fatih University (private uni) started new teachers this year at around $1,250/mo plus a 400YTL rental allowance. The salary's a little more for teachers with MAs. As far as I know, this is one of the lowest paid univeristies in Ist.

I agree with thrifty-- go straight to unis and skip the language schools.

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

Yes, I agree, but, if uni's only offer 1500 whereas some lang schools offer 2000/2500 you do the math!

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

Sorry but you have been misinformed. Language schools now in Istanbul typically pay an hourly rate which is a disaster if you work it out monthly. A few pay a monthly salary for a year-1500 a month or so.

No uni pays just 1500 a month in Istanbul unless you are talking about a state uni which is a seperate matter. Justme gave you an idea about her uni which would not be a bad idea for you.

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:09 am Post subject:

EF pays a salary and mine is more than 2000. I'm making the same as I did last year at Bigi (and I have my own classroom, a driver, free meals, a laptop, and a 4 day workweek). It isn't all dire.

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

Vixter · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

Hi Yaramaz

Any idea when EF will be opening in Bursa? Sounds good!

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:30 am Post subject:

What I wrote was true for me. Doesn't mean it's true for others. I could possibly do better in Canada but I don't want to right now. It's a choice- like being self employed or free lance or any other kind of work that isn't in the supposedly safe areas of job security (which doesnt really exist anymore anyway, at least not in Canada)and pensions and other things we are supposed to want.

If it works for some, great. If not, there are always a million other options. I can think of far far far worse choices than teaching here.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397