Job Discussion Forums

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Hello, everyone. First of all, I apologize if this is a repeat question. I thought I posted this yesterday, but when I came back to look at answers, it wasn't there. Anyway, I'm looking to start my TEFL career in Turkey; partly because I hear the jobs grow on trees there. First of all, is that true? Second, where's the best place to start looking for such a job? And I'm not just talking about what city is best; I also mean what schools are best to approach. By "best", I mean, who's hiring? Who pays best? Who helps with the paperwork involved in getting the jobs? Will anyone help me find accomodadtions? Should I contact the consulate? I'm just looking for some help getting started, here. Thanx in advance for the help. Thanx again. Hopefully I'll be talking to some of you soon and meeting some when I come over. B'bye.

Frizzie Lizzie · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:12 am Post subject:

If you want to come on a work visa, you'll need to have a job lined up first and ask the school to obtain a paper from the Ministry in Turkey saying you are allowed to work here. They'll need copies of certificates/degrees and passport from you for this. Once they've sent you this "granting permission" document, you need to go and apply at the Turkish Consulate in your country and wait...for a while (can take to as much as 6 months, I'm afraid) until your work permit is issued.
The names of several schools in Istanbul have been previously mentioned on this forum, but very few (still) offer accommodation.

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

ET is hiring and offers accommodation.

If you don't want to wait for 6 months, come on a visitor's visa. The govt turns a blind eye to teachers working on a tourist visa. However, you can then get a residence permit, which would mean you wouldn't have to make border runs. Then the school can help you get a work permit, but it takes forever, probably longer than 6 mo. You might as well be here as waiting there Smile

ak_tesl · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 50

Dear Molly

I sent you a pm.

Thanks, Adrian

N_Ashdown · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Molly,
What is involved in obtaining a residence permit, and does English Time pay for if you have to get a new tourist Visa?

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Frizzie Lizzie · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

I'm speaking purely from personal experience, but Turkey was a great place to start my TEFL career in. If I had stayed in Central/Eastern Europe, I would have had nothing at the end of a contract. As things are, I've managed to save, live in a nice flat, pay for the Dip, and change my wardrobe completely. Mind you, I don't have a husband, nor do I smoke or drink, and I don't know how that would affect the situation...

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Yup. Tis true there be more money here than Eastern Europe.

I suppose one's money situation can be greatly influenced by where ya come from. A plane ticket to Heathrow is a lot cheaper than to Hicksville, Canada.

Ahhhhh....Tekirdağ's feeling sorry for herself..... Embarassed

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

I taught for many years in the US and I can say that my financial situation here is probably a little better than it was there, but not much. Some intensive language institutes in the US pay from the upper 20s only. The community colleges were paying mid 30s when I left there several years ago. The benefits were better but everything was much more expensive than here. It is getting more expensive here, as rents are getting way up there, but I think the life here is much better.

Money isn't the only reason most of us are here, galiba.

Frizzie Lizzie · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject:

You shouldn't feel sorry for yourself Confused

after all, we've all chosen to live away from families, and a plane ticket from time to time might "shake" our budgets a bit, but I think it's worth it. They miss us too!

Ebenezer · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 99

I've got used to many things here in Turkey, like Ayran, �ig Kofte, peper, things that I hated when I first came... I got married, lived with my in-laws for a while... got Turkish nationality, learned the National Anthem, but if there's something I just can't get used to, is this "come-on-a tourist-visa-and-work-illegally-for-us-it's-no-big-deal". But, I will... I will come to terms with that one, too.

ugurgazanker · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 13

Is Molly Farquharson a PR person for ET, Doga and the other schools that have work conditions right out of a Charles Dickens' novel. Shame on you Molly if it is true!

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

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

ugur i am not a PR person, but I know something about being here. If you look at my posts, they are balanced and direct, so no shame on me. I happen to work at ET and often struggle with the things that could be better, but basically the market here is what it is, which is not ET's fault. ET's work conditions are a lot better than many other and not out of a novel. What do you know about it? Or about me, for that matter?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Is it true that 'thrifty' has been declared an enemy of the people ?