Job Discussion Forums

[boardmanite]

Hello,
I'm currently teaching English at a private institute in South Korea and my second contract will be up in August, so I've been considering different options. I've got my sights set on one of the more secular countries in the Middle East, with Turkey at the top of my list. Over the past few weeks I've been sifting through information on this forum, checking out links and sending out a few emails. However, I'm still not sure what type of job would suit me best in Turkey. I'm hoping that someone can give me some suggestions. Here is a little background about myself:

American
24 years old
BS in Education
Licensed to teach in the US (K-12 Spanish)
2 years ESL experience in South Korea
Certificate in TESOL from a 40-hour course in Canada

Here is what I'm looking for in a job:

Students no younger than grade 3 (could be middle/high school or uni)
Students who are at least somewhat motivated to learn
Students at no less than an intermediate level of English (I don't want to teach "Hello, my name is _________."
Management pays each month (doesn't matter if it's on time)
Hours in the afternoons/evenings would be best, but I'm flexible
2 days off in a row (doesn't have to be weekends)
Salary that is enough to live on plus perhaps save a little each month
Classes that are my own (no co-teachers)
Curriculum and lesson plans provided by the school (curriculum development is not a hobby I like to do in my free time)

I've worked almost 2 years at a private English institute in South Korea that has an excellent reputation. I teach bright, motivated, well-traveled, wealthy, spoiled, stressed-out kids and I quite like it! The management treats us well as long as we play by their rules, which hasn't been an issue for me. I'd like to find a job with similar working conditions in Turkey, preferably in a larger city. What type of job am I qualified for that would also suit my preferences?

One further question: Would it benefit me to get a TEFL certificate before applying to schools in Turkey? I was looking into getting one this September. In that case I would start working hopefully in October.

Thanks to anyone who can give me some suggestions!

boardmanite

[ranter]

[Shalana]

So you're looking to not do any lesson plans? Good luck with that. No problem for a school to provide you with text books though.

[boardmanite]

[SAM31]

Hi Boardmanite,
I can't think of any one job in Istanbul that you could get that would fulfill all or even many of those requirements I'm afraid...

Students no younger than grade 3 (could be middle/high school or uni) Highschool/ uni students unlikely to be motivated

Students who are at least somewhat motivated to learn These are mostly at language schools but they are frequently low level

Students at no less than an intermediate level of English (I don't want to teach "Hello, my name is _________." There are in general a lot of lower levels in Turkey

Management pays each month (doesn't matter if it's on time) Most respectable places do this

Hours in the afternoons/evenings would be best, but I'm flexible Again you might get this at a language school- Uni/ highschool will start early and you'd prob have an early start with some service bus

2 days off in a row (doesn't have to be weekends)
Some Language schools and of course unis/ hs

Salary that is enough to live on plus perhaps save a little each month
If you mean live on by yourself, you'd get this at a private school- any age but most private school students whether primary or hs or uni, have the attitude and behaviour of under-5s unfortunately

Classes that are my own (no co-teachers) You'd get this at some language schools

Curriculum and lesson plans provided by the school (curriculum development is not a hobby I like to do in my free time) Most places I know of here would suit what you said later: My school now gives me books for each class and tells me how much material to cover each day. How I teach it is mostly up to me, as long as I follow their general methodology. So I spend a few hours each week preparing for class, instead of it consuming most of my free time. That's what I'm looking for in a job in Turkey...

Apart from that, to be honest- no offense intended- you are kind of young, if you actually look that young it will be more difficult. If you get a more substantial TEFl qual like CELTA or the Trinity one, you'll have better options....

Hope that helps!

[Misstanbul]

That is a nice long list of things to look for and, I would have to agree with SAM31, not so likely to find here in Turkey.

After about the third grade until high school, the motivation level is pretty low. When teaching at the high school level, the students really only care about passing their SAT-like exams, so the focus would be mostly on grammar and not speaking.

I do not know of any good schools that do not pay monthly and generally on time. If you choose an affordable area to live in, the money should be enough for what you are looking for.

The hours you are looking for are only to be found in language schools and universities. Language schools do not necessarily give 2 days off (esp. in a row), but you can always ask.

At private schools, most of the curriculum is provided for you, but you usually have lesson planning time built into your day as well. I have never had to work on planning after school hours.

I would strongly suggest getting a CTEFL. I got mine from Via Lingua/Kent English in Istanbul. If you want to get a work visa and be legal (not a requirement for most of the schools here ), it is required by the government.

Good luck and hope it works out!

[boardmanite]

Misstanbul and SAM31,
Thank you both very much for the replies. They helped immensely. I was afraid that my job wish-list would be a bit unrealistic. If only I could transplant the one I have now into a different country!

[boardmanite]

[ossie39]

Hello boardmanite. Well you are going around in circles a bit. First of all teachers come all ages and looks so when you're in class it is your responsibility to hold things together. You must state your age in an application. Not to do so is dishonest and stupid. Interviewers who are certainly more experienced than you in education will sus you out.

Second point is that you must get qualified. I appreciate you have some already but the short course isn't enough. Any weakness on your part will be exploited by potential employers - rotten groups and hours of working, rotten pay and refusal of any requests you may make. In practice you may be a good teacher but you have nothing to vouch for it. The cost of a course together with accommodation is pretty even across the board anywhere in Europe. I suggest to you the UK because there are so many of them so as to make them competitive. Trinity is very good and progressive. You say that your present job ends in Sep. and then you will basically 'fit in' the 4 or 5 week certificate. You really need to get moving because some places are booking up fast and you need a course that corresponds to your availability dates.

I must say that your requests are not very practical. Your requests don't comply to the needs of any establishment anywhere in the world. I think once you do a course you will come to realise this. What you are doing is cherry picking what work you will and won't do. When you have a reputation as a very good teacher you can certainly do this to some degree. After a while it is a case of 'bring it on' nothing to worry about. Gradually people become more confident in their work. If you can't drop all but one of your requests worth fighting for, with the nicest intentions, "Is teaching for you?"

[Misstanbul]