Job Discussion Forums

[japanart1234]

I just had a Skype interview with TeachToTravel and they sound ok for someone just coming to Istanbul.
But then they asked me for a $250 deposit and the alarm bells in my head went off!

Does anyone have any experiences with them?
Are they a scam?

Thanks in advance.

[crewmeal1]

Deposit for what? In my view never ever pay up front for anything whether it's for a teaching job or double glazing. Agencies are 'two a penny' and should not ask for money.

[vashdown2]

TeachtoTravel has another name... it is a legit place but lots of teachers have had problems with payment, and a whole bunch of other issues...


Check out the Facebook Istanbul English Teachers Group.. it is more active than this site for TUrkey..

[guyrob84]

Hi can you provide any more details about Teach to Travel? I'm looking to work in Turkey and they seem great but this deposit is a little concerning!

[bilalbill]

I think it is very likely that you can find a job in Turkey without paying anyone a deposit.

What is it for anyway? I would think twice about handing over money until you were sure they were for real and actually doing something for you with it.

[contented]

The $250 deposit is suppose to show that you are serious about accepting the position. I've seen this before. AEON-Amity in Japan asks for a deposit as well. They say they will give the deposit back.

[japanart1234]

[guyrob84]

So can anyone confirm or been able to find anyone confirming they have or haven't got their deposit back? I'd have thought if any were unpaid it would be all over these forums..

[jmarkinho7]

[svenhassel]

The Istanbul teachers page on FB have the lowdown on this outfit

[Sean Bob]

[svenhassel]

Can anyone give me some insight regarding "teach to travel" ?
Like � � Unfollow Post � 19 April at 19:04 near Beytepe, Ankara
Hi Seda - i've just been offered a job with this outfit, and I'm looking for information too. It's not on the Greenlist, but neither is it on the Blacklist, but I'm not sure if that's much of an endorsement...
20 April at 16:32 � Like

i'm pretty sure they are partnered with or owned by leeds academy which has a pretty awful reputation and are definitely searchable on the blacklist. i don't remember the specifics but it wasn't good...i think Karl Ertunc could help out.
20 April at 16:38 � Like � 2

check out Daves ESL Cafe.. this Leeds Academy/Teach to Travel has been written up MANY times before. They pay 2500 lira a month, I think, but dont pay any of your housing or transportation I believe... some have had troubles with payments, and there is no health issurance I beleive. You could take the job for 1 year, build your CV, and see if you like Istanbul enough to stay longer than 9 months... If you do, then you can move on to a better school.. insha;;ah.
21 April at 18:44 � Like

Actually, there's a 'thread' on the Greenlist re TTT/Leeds Academy. Best to be avoided by all means unless you're a masochist.
21 April at 19:01 � Like

... and have money to throw away. Apparently they're charging applicants 150 quid (450 TL)
21 April at 19:18 � Like

My sister has been offered a job in Ankara but, they don't have a branch in Ankara and they told her since she is already here no
Deposit is needed
21 April at 19:24 via mobile � Like

teach and travel is a middle man... ask her to ask for the name of the school
21 April at 21:03 � Like

I did, she said they were going to tell her in the contract (a bit odd)
21 April at 21:05 � Like

teach and travel tried to set me up with a dodgy private school in istanbul. i asked too many (common sense) questions, and they began not to return my emails / calls
21 April at 21:07 � Like � 1

They make comission setting up English teachers with religios schools.. so they are not going to tell you the name of the school until you sign a contract. Or else they will loose their comission because people could apply directly to the school.
23 April at 21:57 � Like

I am under the impression that they arrange the teachers papers or make them hirable as advisors to schools that would otherwise not hire them. I know of someone who applied to some of the schools they work with and was not called for an interview, however teach to travel got her a job in one of them. Im assuming they kept a third or so of her wages every month as commission. She was able to use that year as experience and get a job elsewhere the next year.
24 April at 06:44 via mobile � Like

I don't think they arrange anything at all regarding teachers' papers to make them legit. But if the school get busted and they find the teacher hiding in the loo, the school will say to the inspectors that s/he's not their employee, so the onus will b...See More
24 April at 12:03 � Edited � Like

They act as a middleman for people looking to teach English, the jobs they find will be the same as ones you could find without them and they will get a cut of your pay. Cut them out of the loop and go direct to the schools yourself.
24 April at 12:38 � Like

[svenhassel]

Advice:
I, like many others, have been offered a job through Teach-To-Travel. I'm not really fond of having to fork over $250, or the other negative feedback I have heard about the organization. I would still like to work in Turkey if possible! Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction?
Like � � Follow post � Yesterday at 05:48

hi there- there is really tons of advice on this forum.... take the time to read through what has already been written in the last year.
Yesterday at 06:29 � Like

apply directly to the schools. This agency thing is something quite new and to be honest i applied to a particular school and they told me they want to work with me but i need to go through an agency who is operating under 2 names. I said no and told the school if you want to employ me i will only accept if its done via the school.
Yesterday at 06:57 via mobile � Like � 2

Thank you both. I've read through a lot of post, and am just wondering how to apply to some good schools directly. I've seen some mentioned, but with no contact information.
Yesterday at 07:09 � Like

google their names.find their websites.find their contact.send cv.
Yesterday at 07:59 � Like � 3

Hey, you can try English Time. I don't like them too much, but they offer 6 month contracts, which will allow you to understand the English Teacher market in Turkey. They will be hiring for September, I wouldn't recommend going before because there will be few working hours.
Yesterday at 14:36 � Like � 1

In order to get hired at the GOOD Turkish K-12 you need to be HERE. Its May and lots of the BETTER K-12 have already hired staff for next year. Probably best to do what others have suggested and get here, start working at a langauge school or one of ...See More
Yesterday at 15:26 � Edited � Like � 1

Thanks Weronika and Sheff. Victoria-By getting there, you mean with a secured job already right? I just wanted to clarify, as I'm not well off in money to just fly over and hope for something. I already read the post on Teach to Travel, but do you know of any other sources on them?
23 hours ago � Like

.. some people come to Turkey with 2,000 USD in cash and that is enough to make it until you start working... If you arrive in late-August when the language schools start hiring. If you really want to have something already lined up, then pay t...See More
14 hours ago � Like

Yes- for more resources to read about Teach for Travel check out Dave's ESL Cafe under the Turkey section. Read also the posts on LEEDS ACADEMY as they use both names.
14 hours ago � Like

[contented]

I received a contract from TTT and they do not disclose the name of the school I am to work at. I emailed them regarding this and the response was that they won't know until August. Sketchy...

TTT also claims that the first 1.5 month will be working without a work permit, but it's okay because the paperwork is in the process. ?????

I'm not sure about signing on the dotted line, but I have to give my decision in a few days. Is there anyone who already signed and feels confident in their decision? If so, can you say why? Thanks.

[delal]

Have to agree that the better K-12 schools are already hiring/have already hired for Sept, so better to be here and make contacts etc
What you get over the net/through an agency will be pot luck anyway. Some may do work permits, others not.