Job Discussion Forums

Roxelana · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Hello everyone,

I am a Turkish woman married to an American. We have been living in the States for 10 years and wanting to move to Istanbul for 8 of those 10 years.

We haven't been able to do it though. My husband is currently working on his MBA and will get his degree by next May. He is also working at a pharmaceutical company that has a branch in Istanbul. He will try to get transferred there, if not he will quit.
I want to get TEFL certified to teach English there, as I am having difficulty getting other jobs (i.e. I am getting old, most companies are looking for 5 years of experience, college degree AND people not older than 30 years etc. etc)

But I read in one of your posts that Turkish citizens being paid less. So, I don't want to repeat the questions that others ask again and again, but is that really the case? If my husband can't get transferred there would it be better for him to get certified instead of me?

Thanks in advance and hello again. Smile

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

If you are Turkish, you are less likely to be hired by a language school, as they mostly want native English speakers. Also, Turkish English teachers need the pedagojik formasyon. However, being hired is not out of the question totally, as some language schools would hire you (but not ET). Your husband could get certified and make more money, but still not loads. PM me for more details if you like-

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Why don't you both get certified?

TeachEnglish · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 239

Hi.. you have options.. if he can speak turkish.. his chances of getting that transfer are good.. but with an MBA..maybe he can get the transfer anyway.. but people may look at him like he is crazy to want to move to Istanbul.. If your English is near perfect, you might land a job teaching English at one of the language schools.. or if you have a degree in English you can possibly work at one of the better schools because many hire Turkish English teachers.. even though they cannot speak English.. I know this to be a fact.. Come here for a short period of time and do some job searching before you give up your life in America.. I never knew how great America is until I left and came here to live and work. Yes Istanbul is great.. but Turkey is better.. I love Turkey.. but pay is not great.. cost of living in Istanbul is high.. and crime is getting worse. Good luck..

Roxelana · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks everybody for your replies.
Entrailicus; I do have an American passport. I became a citizen back in 2000. A friend of mine suggested I should pose as American cause my accent is almost like a native speaker (people usually think I am from the northeast and are quite surprised to find out I am a foreigner)

Well, I was there for 2 months and I just came back empty handed. I wasn't looking for a job as an English teacher though. I was an executive secretary at Mitsubishi Corporation Istanbul Branch before I got married. Every ad I saw was looking for people not older than 35, and I am 37. A cousin of mine suggested I should try to get certified to teach English right before I came back.

My husband's Turkish is not very good. He can only say nasilsin, iyiyim, tesekkur ederim, and people usually don't understand what he says.

I agree Istanbul has quite changed in 10 years. The cost of living is really high compared to here, but I just want to be near my family and friends. I am sick and tired of living in a village here with a population of 8,800. There is hardly anything to do.

Anyway, thanks again, I guess we will both get certified and see if my husband will get transferred there first.

Bahcevan · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 39

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Try under the Maslak flyover.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

What happens at the Maslak flyover?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

And how do you know that entrailicus?

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

I thought they were Moldovan.

Bahcevan · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 39

31 wrote:

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

I need a night job because my day job doesn`t pay enough. The hourly pay, no guaranteed minimum, no sick pay, no holiday, no SSK, no work permit etc.

TEFL`i hos gelmis sin

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

And I thought ET supplied all these things Wink

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

You know full well they don`t being an ex English Timer yourself.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I worked at ET when the local management was different 3 years ago.My knowledge of ET is old.Places change.