Job Discussion Forums

[cassie1211]

I graduated from the University of Florida 2 years ago with a double degree in Anthropology and Classical Studies. I would eventually like to go back for my PhD in Anthro, but I have no idea where/who I would like to study. I figured the best idea right now would be to travel the world and learn as many different cultures as possible. I thought the best way to do this was to teach English since it would allow me to go everywhere and stay for extended periods of time to really become apart of the culture and not just be a tourist. I completed the CELTA in March in Rome and am ready to start my teaching career.

My current status is: 23 year old female, Bachelor's degree, CELTA, no experience, nothing tying me down (debt, dependents...). I was debating between Korea, because it seems like the best idea for newbies, Thailand, because it seems like an awesome experience, and Turkey, because it's the closest I'll ever get to Greece/Rome (Classical Studies major) because I am a 3rd generation American and have had my hopes and dreams crushed of ever LEGALLY working in the EU. I am really open to anything, but am really leaning towards Turkey. I have about $10,000 saved so making tons of money isn't necessary but would be nice so I can continue to travel. Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!! Oh and one minor but important detail... I have a cat that must come with me!

[keitepai]

Hi Cassie,

You sound well qualified to teach English here.....have you applied for jobs yet?

Your cat! Qualifies as a dependent I think There are different attitudes to cats living inside here, some are fine but the more traditional people think cats are disease ridden and poop inside. So, it might be difficult to find an apartment but there will be some landlords that dont mind a cat.

You need to know there are LOTS of wild and stray cats here in Istanbul, they do have diseases; cat flu, ticks, conjunctivitis....I adopted a stray cat and he has picked up everything. The wild cats will also fight with your domestic cat and there are also stray dogs to contend with. They are not controlled here by the councils so you cannot complain about them - well you can complain but with little effect

If your cat is tough no problem! You need to be vigilant about worming and 'Frontline' for ticks. On the up side there are vets and pet shops everywhere, they charge a bit more than I am used to but they are very good.

For quarantine info look on www.mymerhaba.com and go to forums. It has loads of advice and contacts, for everything in Turkey. I just cant remember the exact requirements but it seemed pretty easy to get an cat or a dog in. They need the usual vaccinations etc and the quarantine time is short.

Turkey is a great base for travelling to Europe and there are so many historic sites to visit in Turkey, it is close to Cyprus too which is fantastic if you are into Greek history. It can take some time to get used to the attitudes here, the language is easy to learn basic words but I have found the grammar challenging and I just speak like a 2 year old in Turkish.

Good luck

[Misstanbul]

You should not have any trouble finding a job in Istanbul. But.....if you want to work legally, that may be a problem. I would wager a guess that over 50% of foreign teachers here are NOT working legally. This is especially the case at language schools. If you plan to stay for a full year or maybe two, you might be able to negotiate that with the contract.

A few friends of mine have brought their cats from the US. They had no problems bringing them in and there was no quarantine time in Turkey. When taking the cats back to the US there were definitely issues.

[cassie1211]

Thanks for all the info about my cat. I am pretty set on getting a job in Istanbul. I would be committed to a full year contract. I've been applying to all the jobs that are posted on here and seriousteachers.com. I'm getting responses from language schools mostly, which I am gathering from these forums, and my experience at the IH where I took my CELTA that it is a lot of hours for not that good of pay/ job stability. Any advice? Other good schools still hiring for August?

[keitepai]

Hello,

What kind of school specifically do you want to teach in? You dont sound that interested in language schools......what age group etc?

There are some schools still hiring I have heard although I am not sure what they are like to work for.

[cassie1211]

I have no teaching experience so I have no idea what kind of school or even what age group I would like to teach. I'm assuming a slightly older class like middle school would be easier than young children but I could be wrong. I was in IB so I'd love a job as an English teacher for an IB program but idk if i'm qualified for that. I just feel like everyone bashes language schools but I don't know if I can get a job anywhere else at this point?

[keitepai]

Hello,

You could try some schools that run English programmes....or have an international section. Do a google search for international schools Istanbul and you will find them.

Some schools require an education degree or a post graduate teaching certificate, others may be ok with a CELTA plus your degrees. Your lack of teaching experience will be a disadvantage but you have to start somewhere! IB programmes will shown on the schools website and they should have teaching positions advertised on there as well.

My advice is to apply for everything, KS2 positions and language schools and see what reply you get. Then make up your mind with more information. K-12 Schools are going on holiday right now until August/September but the admin staff will work some of that.

Good luck

[fishmb]

My girlfriend and I are also looking to teach in Turkey this year. What I've learned is that lots of teachers do work illegally, but that since the economic crisis Turkey has been cracking down on foreign workers to free up jobs for Turks so it's a lot riskier now to work illegally than it's every been before.

Of course, they don't throw you in jail - they just deport you, but I wouldn't want that on my record! With a CELTA you qualify to get legal work but you might have to pressure your employer to fill out the paperwork to do it, but I think it'll be worth the effort

Good luck!

[TeachEnglish]

hello Cassie1211.. you can probably get a job here teaching legally with your gualifications and if you work at a University that offers Anthropology classes/masters, maybe you can get a masters and not pay so much since you will work there. Good luck.

[Ruffle the cat]

Ruffle lived in Istanbul for one year she is an indoor cat. Do not let your cat out. It was no problem getting her in, she had all the papers came with me from Azerbaijan in the cabin of the plane we walked through customs and immigration and no one asked for papers or knew she was with me.
Leaving Turkey via Frankfurt we had to get extra papers did it and again no questions asked.
The Turks I met loved cats. Leaving the country I asked if there was an empty seat if I could sit beside it so Ruffle wouldn't have to sit on my lap in her carrying case or under the seat in front. So I got 4 seats going to Frankfurt and 3 going to Toronto. Going though the check before the plane I said I had a keddi not sure of spelling in the case all the guards had to come over and make a fuss over her men and women by the way. So take your cat and enjoy life in Turkey lots of cat food and litter in big stores so don't worry.
Ruffle has lived in Azerbaijan her country of birth, Republic of Georgia, Turkey, Canada and now resides in Queretaro Mexico with me.

[rigel]

You should work a year and then head back home. That's my direction now. The novelty of TESOL has worn off with me. It's simply too hard to find a good job in this business these days, and I'm tired of prowling Kaoh Sarn Road for months at a time between jobs as I search one out. I'm looking at going back to school next spring to get a skill-based associate's degree (probably in something like AutoCAD) by 2011. TESOL isn't what it used to be. It used to be easy to find and keep a good job in places like Korea and Thailand. Now those countries want apostilled CRCs (Korea) and teaching licenses/special courses (Thailand), paid for by the teachers, of course. The economic downturn (which may be more or less permanent) doesn't help much, either. The only jobs that are plentiful today are the leftovers nobody wants. If you like teaching kids, you're in the buckwheat. If you're like me and despise teaching brats, aim to stay in a little while and then get out.

Good luck.