Job Discussion Forums

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 302 Location: Yinchuan

I have an eighty hour face to face certification that I earned through my current employer here in China. I took it with the intention of trying to decide if something like a CELTA or DELTA would be right for me.

What I'd like to know is how possible would it be for me to use my current certification to get a job in Turkey. My plan would be to work whilst doing the weekend CELTA and maybe later on do the part time DELTA if I feel so inclined to do so.

I've been teaching for about 4 years or so now. I have a BA in Anthropology, and of course my 80 hour face to face Introduction to ESL certificate that includes 4 hours of class room observations and teaching practice.

It isn't much as far as ESL certifications go, but it did for me what I needed it to do.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

zoundz like u got more than iz nessessary. u should make 3000 ytl per mo.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 302 Location: Yinchuan

Any suggestions for pointing me in the right direction job wise?

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:51 am Post subject:

Just sit back and watch and wait for the stampede!

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Well... I wouldn't count on just waltzing into Istanbul and immediately finding a job for 3000. I mean, 3000 isn't a top salary or anything, but it's more than a lot of TEFLers are making at language schools, and that's where you'll probably end up at first.

If you're thinking about doing CELTA, why don't you contact ITI Istanbul (or any other organization that offers the CELTA around here) and talk with them before your move. They might be able to point you in the right direction job-wise, and you can also work out a schedule that will be suitable for your CELTA classes.

Just a thought.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

what if someone twisted into Istanbul, without a TEFL of any kind? Would they be legally "doomed" to work illegally? Now that's a funny oxymoron in a way.

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Ummm... how do you feel about people just wandering in to your home country to work illegally?

If you don't have the qualifications to work in a given country (no matter how silly they may be or how many issues there are), you shouldn't expect to be able to work there.

Am I missing something here?

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Well, I think this is really 2 different subjects.

First of all, how would you feel if you signed up for a private Spanish course in America, or enrolled at a university, and found that one of your Mexican Spanish teachers was having trouble getting a work permit and was technically working illegally? Personally, I wouldn't care, and I'd feel bad for the teacher.

Now, imagine that teacher was just a waiter back in northern Mexico who had jumped the border, had no teacher training at all, and you were paying him a fair amount of money to teach you Spanish. I'd be ticked.

I think students here feel the same way about English teachers. In their eyes, being legal or illegal isn't really an issue, but being unqualified is.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 302 Location: Yinchuan

Does my wussy Intro to TEFL course cut the mustard as far as being qualified goes? The only reason I'm entertaining a CELTA is for long term opportunities elsewhere. I have enough experience teaching to rightfully believe that the CELTA course isn't going to teach me much of anything new.

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Ah, now a certificate doesn't always make you a qualified teacher. I don't have a degree in education but I did take enough courses on the subject back in the day to make a 120 cert just a nice little refresher. Did i need the cert? No, not for what I do. Does the Turkish government require it? Yes.

I've seen a few high school graduates who were fantastic teachers. One was a gentleman who owned a company when he was younger in the US and was one of the best business English teachers I've ever seen, the guy had a serious "following".

And i know that there are many people with cheesy TEFL certs who can teach rings around people with a Master's or a PhD in Education.

So that's all getting very theoretical.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 302 Location: Yinchuan

Will my Cheesey TEFL cert satisfy the Turkish Government?

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Probably yes if you also have a university degree. BUUUUT, that doesn't mean your employer actually apply for the work permit.

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 302 Location: Yinchuan

evolving81 · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 135 Location: Tampa

Would having an MA in TESOL encourage the employer to apply for the work permit? I'm also considering Turkey after I finish my degree in May. I also do not want to work illegally (not that I have anything against people who do).