Teaching English in Turkey

Teachers' advice  >  Turkey

teaching english in turkey

"Turkey is a very nice country to work in with its hospitable people. It has got lots of historical places to visit and beautiful beaches. Life in turkey is not very expensive and finding a job for a foreign teacher of any language is quite easy in any language course as long as you are good at it. Turkish people like helping and looking after their guests. It's cuisine changes by region but usually it's spicy and if you don't like it you can find fast food restaurants anywhere. And Turkish students are usually quite interested in learning foreign languages..."
Duygu, 05/01/07

"Turkey is a great place to live, but beware, the only way to legally get a working permit is in your own country through the consulate. Most language schools tell you to come on a tourist visa and they'll sort it out once you are here - they're lying. The majority of EFL teachers in Istanbul have to leave every three months to renew their tourist visa, and of course, being illegal isn't helpful if you have any problems with your language school."
Anonymous, 18/02/07

"I have been in Turkey for ten years. The people are ok but I find it very difficult to teach English here and I suppose the main reason is the traditional hostility to anything 'foreign'. Though I am a moslem they still are suspicious and even call me 'gaur' which is an offensive word for a non-moslem. You'll have to consider the linguistic differences as well. Things are changing for the better but it will take a long time."
Anonymous, 05/03/07

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't stop laughing at Turkish students calling a foreigner "gavur". This word has become common among people in Turkey for some odd reason. It is not always about religion and it is not always offensive. Sometimes people from villages call foreigners "gavur" too. But, they don't mean to offend anyone.

For example; Turks call people with dark skin "Arab", but not all Arabs are dark skinned! Turks have odd words of expressing stuff, don't they!?!

If you're planning to teach in Turkey, you need to be prepared for such things. Turkey needs you! Don't give up and leave!!!

However, Turkey is a beautiful country, with plenty of opportunities for teaching English. Turkey is a country that doesn't have a second language (unfortunately!!). Thus learning a second language (English, German, French etc.) is very important to learners.

If you are interested in taking a course in Turkey, you can visit this blog and get a general idea of how it is like: http://www.eslbase.com/diaries/hilalhastaoglu
Posted by Hilal

"I am sorry but I totally do not agree with the fact that there is "traditional hostility to anything 'foreign'" in Turkey. Moreover, people are aware that they will not be able to make a career without English and therefore they respect people who teach them the language. I have a native-like English and teach at a language school and all of my students do respect me a lot even though they think I am an American."
Itirtunay, 22/03/07

"I can't say I've had the best teaching experience in Turkey so far. The private school kids I teach could care less. They are very disrespectful. But then, I can't say that this is the case with other students at other schools."
Anonymous, 11/04/07

"Please, do not come to this country for the purpose of teaching English if you are not dedicated, well educated and qualified as Turkish students are fed up with many incompetent foreigners who call themselves teachers but just work for money and do not care about the students. Please, respect the effort, time and money that the students spend in the language schools that are mostly prone to deceive the students by hiring such incapable teachers."
Anonymous, 08/07/07

"English is a prerequisite for a good job and career in Turkey. Turkish people like guests and are very hospitable to foreigners, not hostile. They know the value of learning another language. The only problem you may have in Turkey is the learning style of the students. They certainly have a different learning style so instead of accusing them of being hostile ask your colleagues to give you some hints about the students. I am sure they will help you and you will have an unbelievable experience."
Anonymous, 29/01/08

"I cannot speak for the whole of Turkey, but teaching in Istanbul can be frustrating, but rewarding as well. Adult students are very motivated to learn English, and respectful as well. However, the differences in learning styles take some getting used to. Most adults learning English do so for business purposes and because they are business people, they often have to miss classes or private sessions. This makes it difficult if you are only getting paid for the lessons you teach.

Also, in some cases it can be frustrating and sometimes infuriating to be a female teaching male students. Turkish people are generally friendly and congenial, but the men view foreign women as easy and easy targets. It will not matter if you are married, they are married, or anything in between. And this is not just with the students. I had an experience interviewing with the Turkish head of an English school which seemed to go well, but which ended not in a job offer, but a steady barrage of flirtatious text messages. I was told initially that they would be hiring part-time teachers. This was reinforced in the interview and I was offered a job. However, I believe not only did they not have any part-time positions, but no full time positions either. The first thing they asked for before the interview was a photo! I suggested that perhaps it was more important to see my credentials, but they insisted on a photo. I passed that test, but when I refused to hang out on a Friday night with the boss, he rescinded his job offer (albeit with a good nature). The school was SDM English--just to warn any other potential female applicants."
Anika, 08/05/08

 Email this page to a friend