Job Discussion Forums

CaronD · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 8

Hi All

I need some advice please. I'm a Kiwi and am planning to go to Istanbul later in the year with the aim of Tefl teaching. What I'd like to know is; is it better to try and arrange a job before I go or better to wait until I get there? Also, should I try and arrange a work visa before I go? And, can someone please tell me which schools are better/worse/to be avoided at all costs. Thank you so much for your help

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

Hi Caron,

Unless you're already fairly experienced/qualified, just come. You won't get a work visa anyways, and most of the jobs you'll be applying for won't really recruit from abroad. Having said that, it still might be worth checking out tefl.com.

If you are experienced/qualified, feel free to ask about specific schools, and we'll totally help you out, but this is a HUGE city with A LOT of schools.

Good luck.

CaronD · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 8

Thanks for that. I am experienced and qualified, but as I'm holidaying in NZ (my home country) I thought I'd apply online and try and get a contract before I leave so I can get a work visa while I'm here. I have seen two adds for Istanbul, one with Berlitz and one with Oxford Vision. Anyone got any input on either of these please. Cheers

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

Never heard anything good about Berlitz; never heard of Oxford Vision at all. Neither one of those will give you a work permit. 98% of language schools here won't give you a work permit, and the other 2% probably wouldn't give you one until they met you and worked with you for a while and were sure that you weren't going to do a runner.

Work permits are pretty much reserved for university and high school teachers. Having said that, a residence permit functions almost the same, with a few minor drawbacks.

If work permits are important to you, you may want to consider applying at unis. But even if you're hired, you still won't get your work permit for several months.

keitepai · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 143 Location: Istanbul

Kia ora

I have never heard of teaches getting work or residence before they arrive. The applications seem to be done once you get here. Kiwi's can enter on a 90 day tourist visa and there is no visa cost at all to us. Some people I know are still able to do the border run through Greece but it is random. A lot of teachers in language schools do not have work permits, they are just careful and mostly nothing happens. For a work permit you really need a teaching degree from your home country, TEFL is recognised but less likely to get a permit. However there are always exceptions here so you could try.

Look for a contract with housing and shop around for salaries. It is probably better to try and get a job once you are here so you can check out the employers face to face but that means wasting some money on hotels. Applying on the net means you could be in a horrible school with no way out.

I don't know if you have been to Istanbul before? Just be aware that our Kiwi ideals are definitely NOT met here. Your landlord will fix things when he feels like it, if something stops working for instance your fridge or oven then you are often expected to pay for repairs, your boss may set you any work hours they choose, what is stated in your contract is not necessarily what you will get.....I could go on but won't bore you!

It is a great place despite it's chaos and Kiwi's are treated with respect by Turkish people, they still recognise the battle of Gallipoli as important shared history.

Good luck
Smile

CaronD · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 8

Cheers and thanks for the input. I've decided to just turn up and try my luck.

Could someone give me an idea of when would be a good time to arrive ready for the new teaching year please?

Thanks again

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

If it's an option, show up in August and have a wander round the south for a bit - you'll meet lots of your countrymen and women, and it's quite a nice time down there. Come back up to Istanbul around the end of August to look for work.

CaronD · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 8

I think Coffeespoonmans suggestion sounds just perfect. Planning to leave the Land of the Long White Cloud mid-August and head into the wild blue yonder that is Turkey. Cheers to all who've given me advice and input, much appreciated.

Caron

JohnRambo · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 183

I am looking for EFL work of the decent kind myself. I have an M.A. in foreign languages with a major in TESOL; with a minor in French. I also have 3 1/2 years of EFL experience in South Korea. I have also taught French before.

How can I go about finding a decent EFL position teaching adults in Turkiye?

Tessekur Ederim Arkadasim

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

What kind of job, Rambo?

Universities? If so, Google search for names then send CVs to all the ones that look good to you. Also try www.tesol.org. You can search Dave's to find info about most Istanbul unis.

Language schools? Show up here. Go to an expat pub. Get drunk and introduce yourself to everyone. Repeat as desired. You'll have a job by the end of the week.

Or... you could try tefl.com. Or just walk in the main pedestrian areas in Istanbul and look for signs for schools. Stop in and introduce yourself.

It's not hard to find work here.

JohnRambo · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 183

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I wouldn't say Turkey is a tricky area for westerners at all.

If you are thinking of employment problems that people have had, I have to say that local staff have a more difficult time of it.

It is difficult to find a good job, especially in the language schools, but it is possible. It takes time, effort, patience and a positive attitude that syas if at first you don't succeed, try somewhere else.

JohnRambo · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 183

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I don't know what it's like in Korea. And I am not saying employment in Turkey is unproblematic, far from it. I am saying it is tough for everyone, especially locals, but not particularly for 'westerners', whoever they may be.

I had visions of John Wayne swaggering into a bar when I read that expression.

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

Not tricky means that if you are a native speaker of English, with any education level, you'll get a job easily. You also don't have to work about those pesky work visas and all the paperwork associated with them because you probably won't get one anyways.

Problematic means that you may or may not get paid on time, you'll almost certainly be working illegally for awhile, you'll probably have to leave the country occasionally for a visa, and you may get yanked around by the management at your school.

Turkey is great, and there are great jobs here, but I can understand why some people may have trouble putting in the inital investment that it often takes. Mr. Orr hit on it perfectly when he said that "It takes time, effort, patience and a positive attitude that says if at first you don't succeed, try somewhere else."