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Many people enjoy travelling, but short visits to a country are rarely enough to get a real feel for the culture and people. Travellers often want to spend more time in one place, but their budget prevents them from doing this. Living and working in a country is probably the best way to get to know a place authentically.
If you have ever been interested in visiting Turkey, or returning to Turkey, there is a very easy way of making a living for any English speaking tourist.
The Turkish middle classes are very keen to learn English, and they really want to learn it from a native speaker of the language. If you speak English as your first language, you are almost guaranteed a job teaching English in Turkey. The number of students wanting to learn English far outweighs the number of English teachers, which means that many schools will hire someone without the proper qualifications.
Having a teaching degree or English degree certainly helps, but it is not necessary. The only basic requirement of some schools is that you are a native speaker of English. I spent a year teaching at a private primary school, and although I do have a degree in Education, not everyone did. In fact, one of the teachers hadn't even gone to university at all. A TEFL certificate will certainly boost your chances of getting a job, but again, it's not necessary. Just about all schools provide a training period before you are actually put in front of a class.
There are numerous English schools in Istanbul that cater to adult students, and these are definitely easier to find a job in than the primary schools. This means that you will likely work evenings and weekends, but this leaves your day free to explore this diverse city. There are language schools in other cities, such as the capital, Ankara, but Istanbul is the cultural, historical and social centre of the country.
Don't go to Turkey to teach English expecting to make a lot of money. The salaries are reasonable, and the cost of living is very low, but you aren't likely to leave with a huge savings account. Any extra money is usually spent on exploring Istanbul, trips around the country, or maybe on a Turkish carpet!
Most schools want you to stay for one year, but few schools are willing to pay work permit fees, or do the required paperwork. This means that you must leave the country every 3 months to renew your tourist visa. This is crucial, if you try to leave the country with an expired visa; you will be charged a hefty fine. But without a proper work permit, your contract is not valid and you can leave at any time. It sounds naughty, but it happens all the time.
Some of the more reputable adult language schools in Istanbul include English Time, Active English, Istanbul Language Center, Best English and Dilko English. A useful website is Dave's ESL cafe. www.daveseslcafe.com It gives job listings from all over the world, useful tips, and warnings about schools where other teachers have had bad experiences. A lot of people arrange a job before they go, but many people I know have just shown up in Istanbul, and within days have been hired.
So, if you love Turkey like I do, or want to get to know and love it, if you can speak English and have ambitions to live abroad, what are you waiting for? Get thee to Turkey!
*To read more of Dawnelle Salant's articles visit EscapeArtist.com
Watching Clocks Sing in Turkish A Year in Istanbul
Watching Clocks Sing in Turkish is an e-book detailing the story of Dawnelle Salant's year-long adventure as an English teacher in Istanbul. Bizarre theatre performances, new religious customs, currency that comes by the millions and an unusual school system initially cause Dawnelle to doubt her determination to immerse herself in this foreign culture. She soon learns that in Turkey, mundane activities like simple trips to the grocery store, public baths and hair salons can result in surprising experiences.
Click here to buy this eBook!
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