Job Discussion Forums

[Seeker_of_Knowledge]

I'm wondering if this is true. A recruiter, with whom I just had an interview today, offerred me a very good deal. However, the catch was that he said I have to shave my beard as is the standard in pretty much all the private schools and the mainstream ones in the country. Apparently, he says a mustache is okay. Perhaps that's because Atat�rk had one? He agreed that it's a stupid rule, but he assured me that it is standard across Turkey.

I think that this policy against beards probably exists for the same reasons as the policy against headscarves.

Regardless, I'm wondering if anyone else faced this problem. Do you know of bearded teachers in the ESL/EFL field in Turkey?

I personally have a beard for religious reasons, and it's well kept, not even that long. I feel like it's a big infringement on my free practice of my faith. Then again, it's not the US, and I'm the one going to their country and not the other way around.

Your thoughts, comments, and experiences on this issue would be greatly appreciated!

[Sashadroogie]

There are plenty of bearded teachers in Turkey. Usually foreigners, mind, but there is no problem.

[Kirkpatrick]

Full beards can be a problem.. Goatie's totally ok..

[Urban_Kitten]

ET has a no full beard policy. The fully bearded Turkish teacher on staff was given a pass on it while my husband's goatee was routinely crapped on when the school manager was in a foul mood.

[Seeker_of_Knowledge]

Thanks for all of your replies! It was really helpful to find out more about the situation there.

I just asked a bearded fellow who is in Istanbul now teaching English, and he provided me with some helpful information that I'd like to post on here to share with others who may be interested:

"...in Turkish schools connected to the 'Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı' (Ministry of National Education), which includes private schools, you are not allowed to have a beard."

"There are places that you can find in Turkey that do allow you to teach and have a beard - they are known as 'ders hane' and they are where students or non-students go for tutoring or private classes."

I've heard a lot of criticism about these ders hanes on the forums here, but I would be willing to give it a shot on this principle.

On a good note, I also heard that women are now allowed to attend college while wearing headscarves/covering their hair. I hope that Turkey moves toward (or continues to move towards; I don't really know modern Turkish history too well) allowing free expression and religious freedom.

[Sashadroogie]

Allow freedom of expression and all the rest, and you'll be even faster towards an Islamic Republic of Turkey than today. Read up on Ataturk before you head over. Big issues with secularism, religion, freedom etc.

There's a whole social code re moustaches and beards in Turkey. Depending on the cut of your whiskers, you could be a communist, liberal or religious fanatic. There probably is a rule about religious beardy types in state schools, but as a foreigner working in a dershane, you'll be OK.

Good luck

[Seeker_of_Knowledge]

That's good to know! Yea, I definitely will read up on him and these issues as best as I can in the next week before I head out. I wouldn't want to fit one of those categories without knowing it.

I remember being in Syria and then being told by some friends that my beard resembles the same type that members of the Muslim Brotherhood have. I was shocked and assured them that I had nothing to do with the group.

Haha, it's interesting to know symbols in different cultures for group affiliation. I also think it's funny how we can be caught in such mix-ups so easily.

[bulgogiboy]

[bulgogiboy]

If it's any consolation, I often had thick stubble when I was working in Turkey, and none of my Kemalist military/police/judiciary students gave a damn!

You are a Western foreigner, and as long as you are just teaching them English, and not preaching religion at them, I would say 99% of them will let any kind of 'Western quirkiness' slide. You get a pass for being a whitey, as long as you behave yourself and show common decency and civility in the way you act.

[Seeker_of_Knowledge]

Although I appreciate you trying to preach your understanding of my faith, I was merely trying to find out about others' experiences in this regard, i.e., what they have seen. However, I wasn't asking for religious interpretation.

[bulgogiboy]

[quagmire]

[quote]...I hope that Turkey moves toward (or continues to move towards; I don't really know modern Turkish history too well) allowing free expression and religious freedom.[/quote]

Can you expand on this statement? How is religious freedom lacking in Turkey?

[NoahSal]

Hey Seeker,

How were your experiences in Turkey, i had the experience of teaching some young turkish kids in London some time back and found them to be fun.

Did you resolve the beard issue?