Job Discussion Forums

[David Bowles]

I was looking at some of the posts here and I've managed to get confused about minimum qualifications for teaching (legally). Is it now the case that prospective EFL teachers need a degree in English language teaching? Does the BA + CELTA (which I will have) no longer cut it for getting a work permit? And is this why there aren't many vacancies advertised for Turkey?

[FGT]

As far as I'm aware the rules for teaching kids in schools remain unchanged: that teachers (technically) need to have a degree in English and/or teaching + CELTA. In language schools there is more flexibility. I'd be interested to hear from other posters if there has been any change.

[dmb]

I haven't heard of any changes, The same for Kids the Mllii egitim require Ba + CELTA fpr language schools

[Mike_2003]

There are a lot of requests for this sort of information and I know from experience that it is extremely difficult to get conclusive details of the requirements for various countries.

As a teaching community it would be good to get together and make some kind of definitive guide to the quals needed for each country.

[dmb]

Good idea Mike but I can see a few problems. The rules do change and very often the schools are not informed of these changes.

Also the rules change on an indivudual basis. I know some teachers without an English degree or a CELTA and yet someone has pulled a few strings in order to get the teachers legal status. (Nazif Ulgen of English Fast fame used to be very good at this)

Where would you post it anyway? How do you get a 'Sticky'

[sfirmani]

If you're interested in teaching in Turkey, personally, I think your best bet is to contact each school individually (basic email) and ask them what they require...

I am looking to teach in Turkey this year and so have been in communication with many schools.

I have found that different schools require different qualifications.
eg: some find a TEFL certificate sufficient, whereas some have specified a CELTA or Trinity TESOL certificate. However, all the schools that i have contacted require an undergraduate degree as a minimum (none of them specified that it had to be a teaching undergraduate - i personally have a psychology degree).

Hope this helps.....
Suzii.....

[gelin]

To teach in private/high schools in Turkey you must have a degree in the field (English) plus a teaching certificate from the country you've come from (which means you've done your student teaching, had the pedagogical courses). Now there are some teachers teaching in Turkey who don't have that, but I can't imagine new ones coming in being able to very easily. They labeled those teachers as "lab" teachers, which meant they couldn't issue grades and, in the Ministry's eyes, weren't "real." Language schools are a different status. The pay packet isn't as nice and the hours aren't either (in my opinion), but I think if you want to come to Turkey and that's all you can get, it's better than nothing.

[richard ame]

Hi

Just wanted to drop in my two cents worth on this one and basically carry on from where FGT left off . The Language schools /Dershanes are a good starting off place they are as quoted more "flexible" about these things the private schools seem to be a bit more shall we say selective .It would appear once you have served sufficent time learning your craft and getting the right contacts as well as a number of positive references from Turkish employers you may then see a number of doors magically open for you .
It does seem recently that although the actual guidelines have not altered that much ,the Turks do like to move the goal posts a bit every year just to keep us on our toes and don't even think of coming here without making arrangements fora work permit first . Whatever route you decide on good luck .