Job Discussion Forums

[eclectic]

Im considering doing the approximatel;y $1500 US CEL;TA (that damn semicolon key) in Istanbul. For all you Turkish experts I seriously need some pointers on this. Right now, I just have a BA and an unrelated Masters plus 2 years exp. in Korea.

Will getting the ITI CELTA really open up more and better teaching possibilities in Istanbul? I read several times that in Turkey, "you may as well print your own TEFL" - a verbatim quote from someone a few months back......which was rather depressing, though I did not doubt them.

Any new views on this before I shell out all this dough for a cert. that, while I know it is a well-respected one, may not really help substantially in a depressed job market?

i.e,. what is the probable percentage that networking DURING the 4 week course would result in a really good job at the end? Because, frankly, after shelling out all that dough, it would really stink to have to shell out another few thousand dollars in a long-term hotel situation while pounding the pavement in search of a really good job. What's a rasonable, average, approximate time period for landing a job after doing a CELTA?

I know that several areas of this post will doubtless stir some posters to sharply and mockingly let out all the tension and other things that are inciting them to mean and cruel sarcasm, to say the least, but having been privy to their subconscious agenda through remote psychotronic sensing, I wouldn't in the least bit become irritated by it, though the lassitude that may ensue would doubtless create a general atmosphere of having buttered the toast on only one side as they say, while having left the other side well-slathered with jam.

[Luxe]

I'd be interested in this information, as well. I will be moving to Turkey in late summer 2011. Ideally, I would like to take the CELTA either in Barcelona or Berlin, but I've wondered if it would not be beneficial to do it in Istanbul.

Does the school have good links with employers? Are they helpful in job searches? If not, then I will probably just do it in either Barcelona or Berlin.

[eclectic]

Yeah we're on the same page with tis. Lets keep in touch, if u hear antyhgin let me know pls. Berlin also sounds incredibel--whats the price and what are the school's contacts with employers there?

[toyiki]

Hi Eclectic,
My experiences of working in Istanbul are rather different, but then I lived and worked there for 12years and a lot of things have changed since then.. In my experience Istanbul is all about your contacts, and the people you work for. You need to work with A plus clients. Many schools and agencies have opened up and divided up the people with money. But I still know which kindergartens and primary schools will get you the privates you need.Iwill pm you.

[eclectic]

great , I appreciate it. Privates are necessary then, I guess youre saying, to survive finincially in Ist.......

[aggeliki]

I have been in Turkey five years, living the the first two in dense fog. Here is a "bit" of information I have learned over the past three.

The Ministry of Education or MEB issues three levels of work permits to non turkish citizens in the educational sector.

English Teacher---One who is educated four years at University level in English Teaching or Literature. No Tefl is required but favorable. This teacher can issue grades and teach beyond 4th grade

Upper Teacher--One who is educated four years University level in a non related area but has teaching certificates. TEFL is required. It doesnt have to be a CELTA. This teacher can not issue grades to those over the fourth grade but may teach under a departmental English Teacher. Normally these are your preschool teachers or ESL teachers.

Teaching Assistant --One that has no university education but holds a TEFL certificate. These are usually the second native teacher with a qualified turkish teacher...at least for records sake. It may not reflect the actual practice.

No upper education or certification may get you a permit as a bakici / "babysitter" position or a type of "office worker" permit. These work permits are issued only through the SSK. There are many schools here not afflilated with the Ministry of Education and affilated with only the SSK. Be sure to ask.

I learned this from a very informative manager as I was issued a permit as an Upper Teacher. I have a Bachelors Degree in Science /TEFL/ Neonatal Pediatric Specialist certification. It was all pertinent in the application consideration.

The first application is lengthy (4-6 months) as documentation starts its winding trail with the SSK/Calisma (Work) Division, then to MEB (Ministry of Education) in Ankara, then back the the SSK, and back to your employer. If approved you are issued a SSK number and you NEED a bank account for payment. If MEB approves your package, SSK will. If MEB denies you, SSK may approve you but with another application which must be done six months later for a different position. Currently employers pay 1200 TL for each application submission.

An application package for the MEB is only done by a prospective employer and you will be required to supply them with a copy of your 6 month resident visa which is your only turkish document. Other documents needed are your translated and notarized passport, diplomas, and certificates. This is labor intensive as you do much legwork going to different places for the the services. Its also an expensive package ranging from 400 TL to 900TL. Some employers do the legwork and pay for these expenses. Some pay but you do the legwork. Some do the legwork and you pay. Some do neither. Again be sure to ask and negotiate. Be sure to keep copies as paperwork or documents can get lost.

Once you're issued a work permit via the MEB you're in the MEB system and thus more desirable to future employers as following permits are simply renewed in 2-3 months at a lower cost to the employer. You also get SSK healthcare benefits, other small bonuses such as discounted bus tickets, occasional discounts on housing, and the most important, legal binding contracts.

What I have shared here would have been valuable to me 4 years ago and would have saved me lots of expensive problems. No one I seemed to network with had this information and we all guided each other the best we could. As for now, after police issues, months of not being paid due to non binding contracts, and basically doing things the wrong way, "life is good". However if that changes, I am ready

[toyiki]

thanx for that info angelikki as I was informed that I wasnt qualified on here and its very surprising to know that I am with a diploma in English language and literature. What a pleasant surprise...

[eclectic]

thats the 1st time I read that its ok not to hae a t5efl. is this the 1st time its ever been written here? I cant believe it. I was sure turkey required a tefl for any esl job. guess I dont need that celta

[aggeliki]

And yes you do need a TEFL of some sort not necessarily a CELTA if your university education is not English teaching or English literature. It was explained that those key words need to be seen in your submission packet to be approved.

Are you in Istanbul?

[eclectic]

Im in Korea until 9-24-10. 2 yrs exp. here teaching ESL. I have a BA in English and a Masters in INt'l Business. No tefl or any kind of cert.

Are you saying I dont need a cert for Turkey? Im confused.

[aggeliki]

if the information I was given is correct. As you know I am not an official. My information was derived from a conversation with my managers and an offical from the Ministry of Education that had come to pre-approve teachers at our school. What I have found here is that if you ask three beaurocrats one thing you could get three different answers.
Its not respectable to say "I dont know" or "let me make sure and get back to you". Same goes for asking directions

Since your education is favorable for the first level permit perhaps only a short online TEFL course would be helpful for the process. Reason being as there are some other issues going on here with basic touristic visa stays not exceeding ninety days every one hundred eighty days. This will more than likely result in an influx of work application permits as many expats here are working with those visas. For whatever reason, certificates indicating completion of or education in "TEFL" do well in the "check off" procedure of a work permit application.

I thought you were in turkey from the tone of your posts and Iwas going to offer to discuss more via conversation. Youre wise to be thorough with your research before coming. I did the same and it saved me some stress. Information was sometimes accurate but in hindsight and with many dark hole gaps. However what you learn here on the forums is just a thin shell compared to the layers of other related issues and procedures to decipher when youre here. There are many expats here that have taken many different paths in learning the system with lots of information and contacts. As mentioned before contacts and 'who you know' are important.

Beaurocracy here isn't as there in Korea or in US. I had a friend teaching in Korea recently that indicated procedures were well organized for him. I am sure you will fare well here given your education. If you haven't already accepted a job offer come prepared with money to hold you over during the initial weeks of searching and loads of patience.