Job Discussion Forums

[somethingfierce]

Hey everybody,

I've read through a number of the threads here, which has been extremely helpful, and I'll try not to repeat anything.

I graduate with my MA-TESOL in December, and plan to move to Istanbul on January 1-- never having been there, knowing no Turkish, and having less than a year of teaching experience (I'm in my twenties and a little fixated on the possibility of adventure at the moment). I'm looking for insight on a few things:

1. Will my MA-TESOL actually make a difference on the ground when I get there? ...and in pay (just curious, and considering student loans)? And will it compensate for my lack of a CELTA/certificate?

2. I've heard that universities tend to start hiring in April/May/June, so I figure I will apply to language schools before I go and/or when I get there... and then see what opens up after a few months (especially after getting more teaching experience). Does that sound about right? I know things get tricky with contracts and residency permits, so, I don't know.

3. In general I am trying to sift through a ton of new information, so if anyone feels compelled to offer any personal advice on where to begin (school suggestions, advice for getting off the ground, etc.) I would really, really appreciate it. Sorry if that is too open-ended or demanding but I would love some guidance from anyone who may have been in a similar situation.

Thanks for your help here and on all the other threads.

[KopiKopi]

I am looking for the same info on Turkey. I am just curious what MA TEOFL program did you do. You only have one year of experience, but you have a MA in TOEFL?

[somethingfierce]

You don't necessarily need a lot of teaching experience to get an MA in TESOL (TOEFL is a test). It's just that I want to teach domestically in the future (ESL programs in US adult schools, colleges, etc.) and you need an MA to do that. Plus, I am young and had a tough time finding any non-coffeeshop work with only a bachelor's degree in this recession.

Still open to input about what to expect in Istanbul!

[spiral78]

It's a legit question as many reputable MA programmes won't take candidates without at least two years of experience pre-MA. I know that some Canadian MA grads have no experience, but it's tough for them to get work.

[somethingfierce]

I am kind of a TESOL outsider, but TESOL insiders tell me that my program is quite reputable, and I got in with a scholarship on no experience, so, honestly not sure how that worked out. But yeah, part of the reason why I am planning to go abroad after graduation is because I know that I'll definitely have trouble finding work here with so little teaching experience... I would much rather live and teach on a tight budget in Istanbul than go back to working at a coffeeshop with an MA.

[spiral78]

Oh, sorry - not questioning the legitimacy of your programme. As I said, some good Canadian universities do the same thing - take MA candidates with little or no experience in the field. Just that, as you noted, it can make things more difficult when trying to find a job.

You should be quite ok getting a job in Turkey with the MA and without experience, though the combination is obviously better.

One thing to also question is the degree to which foreign experience is valued in the US - this can impact you a bit when you get back. However, given the difficult economy in the US just now, any work in the field is better than no work in the field

Good luck!!

[somethingfierce]

I totally agree-- thanks for your response and for the good luck wishes (and it's okay, sometimes I question the legitimacy of my program...usually when thinking about loans!)

[coffeespoonman]

You'll be in the running for good uni jobs with that MA, especially if you do the language school bit for 6 months or so first. You may not be hired in the end (that depends on other factors), but you'll have a fair shot.

But no matter what, don't stay in the language school market past August - not with that MA. Go for unis, k-12, international schools, etc. There are still few enough MA's in the Turkish EFL market now that it still means quite a bit - take advantage of it. And your future prospective employers in the US aren't going to give much weight to language school work. Unis and private high schools, on the other hand, will look fairly good to them. If you ever go back, of course... It's amazing how living abroad can change your life goals.

[somethingfierce]

yay for helpful guidance. you are awesome.

[Sashadroogie]

Dear somethingfierce

Depending on your teaching context, I'm not sure that your MA will be of much use initially when you are first in a class of Turks. In a dershane (private language school) you will probably be dealing with very low level speakers. ("Hello, my name is...") Not only low levels of English, but low levels of academic skills generally - reading, writing, following instructions. So unless your MA and experience has given you some grounding in this, you should expect a fairly challenging start.

I could be totally wrong in your case, I hasten to add! It is just that I have seen on various occasions young American MA holders flee from dershanes, complaining that the students 'didn't speak any English' and so weren't really able to cope with the video lesson on cross-cultural awareness in translation studies etc. or whatever the lesson was supposed to be about.

A CELTA would be of enormous help there, but if you are aiming for Unis then your students should be (but may not be) of a higher level of language, and your MA most certainly will open up doors too.

Best of luck to you!

S