Job Discussion Forums

[jkp114]

Hello all,

I am writing to garner any advice/opinions/guidance on teaching english in Istanbul, Turkey. I am a 23yr old woman about to begin my final year to get my Masters of Social Work from Columbia. I have no current ESL certifications. I have a Turkish boyfriend (serious) who I would like to share an apt with if I move there, and I have visited Istanbul many times and love the city, people and culture more and more each time I go. I have begun learning Turkish (through books and Rosetta Stone just for listening practice) I have always been very interested in living abroad and Istanbul is where I want to have that experience!

I have a year left to complete my masters but I am trying to get a head start on researching so I know what to expect and how to prepare! I have read this forum extensively, but I am now looking for more personalized advice based on my info from people who are living there now or and have done this! (COFEESPOON) As a student who will be graduating with some (not ridiculous) student loans, my main concern is getting a job that will allow me to pay a reasonable portion of rent split with my boyfriend, have an enjoyable (but frugal) lifestyle, and still make moderate loan payments (in USD). I realize this may sound like a lot, but I think I can do it from what I have read here... at least after a few months/year experience.

I would do other jobs more related to my degree, but I have researched and understand the work permit situation is difficult and realize it is definitely easiest to teach and ignore the work permit situation, at least at first... And if I enjoy it as much as I think I will, I may make it my career! Like I said, I will have my masters degree in social work which is not directly related, but I had a year internship in a school teaching kids social skills and doing counseling/tutoring which may perhaps workable as teaching experience? I am willing to get whatever certification will help get me a job.

So, advice on how/where to get certified and what certification would be best (CELTA, DELTA, TESL, etc) for finding a teaching job?? Should I get certified before I go like over the summer next year, or just do it while I am there? I have heard ITI has a good program for CELTA...

Any opinions on my best options for employment? (language schools vs. universitites vs. private international schools vs. public schools)

Also, with certification, AM I EMPLOYABLE? will i be able to get more than a shitty low-paying unreliable job at a bad language school?

THANKS SO MUCH, really looking forward to any responses

[coffeespoonman]

First of all, that M.A. will make things easier for you in the short term, but more importantly, will open lots of doors for you in the long term.

Start with a CELTA when you get here. Yes, ITI is a good place to do it, and there are other options here as well. I wouldn't do it before you come because doing it in the country where you're going to work will provide you with a bit of extra insight about the local students. Plus, your CELTA center may be able to help with job placement.

You'll proabably want to start with language schools, though with your M.A. it's possible that you could get a job at a high school/international school. Probably not a uni right away though.

You're exactly right that you may have a bit of a bumpy road at first with crappy jobs/low pay, but if so, a little bit of hard work, your degrees/certs, and some networking will put you on a good path fairly quickly.

Good luck.

[jkp114]

Thanks for your quick response... I am very glad to hear that my Master's will not be useless. It does not seem that Social Work is a big field in Turkey, but considering that I never planned to use the degree as an actual social worker (I would rather do business/HR long run or consulting, education), but glad to hear it could open doors for me at schools.

What sort of starting salary do you think I could be looking for at either a language school or a high school/international school?
-I've also heard that there are a great deal of international pre-schools for the Istanbul elite, are these worth looking into?

I heard from a friend that you can actually make more money at a language school, but will have to work nights and weekends. THis is not a huge issue for me, but I would like to be able to not work every night and every weekend since I would like to spend SOME time with my bf and friends.

-Do language schools have flexible schedules, in terms of days also?

This friend also said that the private schools might pay slightly less than you could make teaching language working a lot, but offer better hours (daytime til 1ish) and job security.
-Any thoughts? recommendations on where (assuming I have options, which very well my not be the case) should be my first choice, based on pay/hours/job security?

Thanks again, this is so helpful

[coffeespoonman]

Well, salaries vary WIDELY here. You could end up being offered a job at a language school paying 2000 TL a month on Monday and a job working for an international preschool making 5500 TL a month on Tuesday. If I were you, I would aim for at least 3000, though you might be willing to go down a bit for a good contract (less teaching hours, good holidays, etc.)

Some language schools offer the potential to make a considerable amount (3000-4000), but you're right - you'll be working like a dog. If you work less, you'll make less money, but can be more flexible about time off (depending on the school).

Really, there are a lot of options, and you won't know what they are until you get your feet on the ground. You've got a year yet, don't worry too much at the moment. When you get here, schedule a few interviews, figure out what people are offering you, then jump back on these boards for specific advice. Don't worry, you'll have lots of options here, and you should have no problem getting a pretty good job fairly quickly.