Job Discussion Forums

shahrezade1001 · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 19

I'm planning to arrive in Istanbul in a month to join my Turkish husband. I would appreciate any advice at all on getting an ESL job--especially how to locate schools and what to look for when I'm checking them out. I don't have an ESL certificate, but I have a PhD in anthropology and lots of teaching experience including one year teaching English in Taiwan. I'm sorry to be so clueless!

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

I'm not sure how required a teaching cert (of any kind) is for legal employment ... not that there's much of that around at some language schools ... if a cert is required I'm sure someone here can tell you of the options for getting one in Istanbul ..

... with a cert you could probably get a job at one of the medium paying universities as they'd love to have a PhD on board whether or not it's subject related ... the better ones would be looking for more subject related qualifications though ... someone might want to confirm how accuarte this is as my info is a few years old now ...

To give you an idea of the PhD factor, I once heard a uni program head introduce a new co-ordinator as Doctor so and so ..... even though she knew he didn't have a PhD .. it was done moreso to subdue the staff and bewilder the students ...

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

In certain areas there are lots of language schools, Kadik�y, Taksim. There are a couple in Şişli. When you get to Istanbul, do the tourist thing and go to these areas. Schools are well-marked, colourful flags waving in the wind, signage, dancing bears... Just look up, you'll see em. Go into the schools, ask to look around... or just look around. You will get a vibe from about the school, check out the facilities and perhaps meet some of the teachers.

I did that in Şişli. I went into a school and asked for a tour. The assistant director was happy to do so...(well, she did it) I got to know the school, took my resume there the following week, got a job and stayed three and a half years.

I don't advise jobs from over the net. Those jobs are like boxes of chocolates. Ya never know what ya gonna get. (Forrest knows best.)

For faster finding, google search to get some addresses-
The English Centre
Interlang
English Time
British English Sad

Dilko
English First
Wall Street Institute
Berlitz

Can't remember anymore...

Those are some schools. Some of those, however, will want a certificate whether you'll be legal or not.

Yes, I am Tekirdag the helper nerd!

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

How many seconds did it take to tour the facilities?

None of those above "schools" require a certificate.

I have TEFL qualifications and experience but have no qualifications in anthropology, can you hook me up with an anthropology job?

shahrezade1001 · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 19

Thank you for your help, sheikh and tekerdag! The story about walking in and then staying for 3 1/2+ years is very encouraging. I hope your run of luck continues.

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Perhaps you'll pick up a job without a TEFL certificate but, really, you must wonder about the integrity of a school which hires people with out any training specific to TEFL. (I should have written this before.)

Some sort of TEFL training will really be helpful to you, not only to get you into a school which will treat you better and, hopefully, make you legal. Training goes a long way in the classroom. Turks are bargain hunters and at least want to be sure they aren't getting ripped off. They can be rather nasty to a teacher who isn't up to par. (Not saying you aren't)

I don't know how Taiwanese students are but I taught in Korea for several years and they are VERY different from Turks. Korean adults (mostly) want to sit and listen or have "free talking".

After my first year in Korea, I came to Turkey with some VERY bad habits. Those Turkish students ate me alive. Shocked

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

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

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Yes. Yes, u r right, thrifty. Yes. Tefl mill. All bad. All schools bad. No good. Sky dark. Cloud always over my head. Anyone know where a girl can find a decently priced noose? Crying or Very sad

Waaaa waaaa somebody call a wambulance!

Portrait of Mr.Thrifty:

Hang in there, Mr.Thrifty! Laughing

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

It reminds me of the Turkish idiom:

If you are going to hang yourself do it with an English rope.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

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

It means that if you are going to do something, then do it properly.

Apparently it dates back to the time when Britain had factories that made good products. An English rope was well made.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

Golightly · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:49 pm Post subject:

Actually, that's still true in Turkey today; 'English' is frequently used to denote a good or high-quality product, e.g. an Ingiliz Ceket, Ingiliz Anahtari

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

Doesn't Ingiliz anahtari mean an Alum(n) key?