Earn a TEFL certificate to teach English in Ankara, Turkey’s capital city and Istanbul, its biggest city, both of which are favorite destinations for ESL teachers in the country.
Teaching English in Turkey is an opportunity to gain some work experience and make money while enjoying a calm countryside or bubbly city.
From the City of Ephesus to the Kabak Bay, the Butterfly Valley and the iconic Hagia Sofia, Turkey’s antique structures and picturesque landscapes are miles ahead of any other.
Istanbul and the capital city, Ankara are two of the most beautiful cities in Turkey with incredible adventure and relaxation spots ESL teachers cannot afford to miss.
With a TEFL certificate, you can take an English teaching job in Turkey and enjoy the ease of moving around nearby countries due to its intercontinental location.
A Guide to Teaching English in Turkey
Are English teachers in demand in Turkey?
Turkey has a continuously growing demand for ESL teachers with increasing number of teaching opportunities year in year out. Teaching offers in the country spread across both the bustling cities and also within the calm countryside hence teachers can make a choice depending on their preferences.
Teachers can find good paying jobs in the big cities such as Izmir, Adana and the capital city, Ankara and most especially Istanbul, which is the largest city in the country and seat of most of the ESL teaching jobs in the country. Istanbul has all sorts of teaching jobs any ESL teacher can dream of including university and volunteer jobs with reputable NGOs.
In addition to getting great teaching opportunities, Teachers in Turkey can also find several other teaching support jobs that offers training sessions and programs and there is a large international community so teachers can easily relate and settle comfortably.
What are the requirements to teach English in Turkey?
A TEFL or TESOL certificate is important to get the best paid teaching opportunities in Turkey as the certificate is preferred in many top language schools across the country.
If you choose to teach in an international language school where you have a better salary scale, opportunities for development and more benefits, a bachelor’s or Master’s degree is required alongside your TEFL certificate. You will also be required to have relevant training and teaching experience as well as a teaching license from your home country.
What type of jobs are available for English teachers in Turkey?
Lots of teaching opportunities abound for ESL teachers in Turkey and these opportunities include private language schools, universities, International private schools, NGOs as well as private teaching jobs.
A large proportion of ESL teachers take private teaching classes, weekend classes, group tutoring and conversational English for different categories of students.
Teaching positions in Turkey are such that teachers can take a wide variety of students from young children in kindergarten to young adults in secondary schools.
What is the salary for English teachers in Turkey?
ESL teachers in Turkey can earn between $800 and $1,500 a month depending on the city and the type of institution and this is usually enough to break even or even save. However, in a few high class international schools, it is possible to earn between $3, 000 and $5, 000 per month especially in top administrative positions.
Besides offering higher salary rates, International schools also offer numerous attractive benefits such as accommodation and private health insurance but the schools are mostly biased in favor of teachers with lots of teaching experience and a teaching license.
Can you save money while teaching English in Turkey?
The cost of living in Turkey is relatively low allowing teachers to live comfortably on the average salary in the country. Just as it is in many other countries, the cost of living in smaller cities and communities are lower and ESL teachers can take advantage of that to save more.
The average cost of living in Turkey is between $400 and $800 per month depending on the city and individual lifestyle.
Accommodation Options: Some international schools in Turkey offer ESL teachers accommodation and this helps relieve the stress of paying rents. Such free accommodation are usually furnished but may be shared with another teacher or expat.
However, teachers who do not get such benefits or who would prefer to stay on their own may get a decent one room apartment for about $150 outside the city centers and about $300 within the city Center.
What type of visa do you need to teach English in Turkey?
ESL teachers in Turkey are required to obtain a work permit to be able to teach officially in the country. Usually, this can be carried out on your behalf by the school or at least you will get some form of assistance throughout the entire process.
Some schools in Turkey will also help their teachers acquire legal residency while in the country. Teachers who do not get the offer of having their visa sponsored by their employers may have to foot the bill themselves and this could be a bit expensive.
Usually the cost of work permit and residency visa is about $200 yearly. However, there is a need to check at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country for corresponding fees as the cost of visa application may vary from country to country.
Hiring season and process for English teachers in Turkey
The peak hiring period for ESL teachers in Turkey is during the summer preceding the start of the academic year although teaching positions are open all year round. There are also available opportunities around February when the second term of the school year begins.
While some language schools in Turkey interview in advance over mails and phone calls, it is most preferable to apply for jobs and attend interviews in Turkey in person as most language schools prefer to engage potential employees face to face.
Fun and travel activities while teaching in Turkey
Turkey parades a lot of historic sites, natural wonders and fun places to visit. Teachers typically work between 20-30 hours a week and as a result have plenty of time to spend for adventurous travels and mixing with the Turks while learning a thing or two about their history and lifestyle.
For historic adventures, you can visit Catalhoyuk, where the oldest known human settlement was said to have been lots of centuries ago. There is also the Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus which are famous structures and two of the seven wonders of the earliest world.
For amazing natural wonders and scenic views, take a trip to Goreme, a mysteriously stunning region situated amidst striking rock formations with villages, decorated churches and underground cities in between. The scene is an absolutely wonder and will leave you in awe. There you will also find the Goreme Open Air Museum, a jaw dropping site of churches and monasteries.
Apart from the wonder of Goreme, there is also Amsya, the folklore city where the beautiful love story of two Turkish lovers was set. The gorgeous theatrical city is set in a valley in between the Yesihrmak River by with Ottoman buildings and traditional settings on one side and modern structures on the other.
ESL teachers who are not living in Istanbul should try to visit the city at least once while they are living and working in Turkey. Istanbul is a very large spectacular city situated at the eastern and western juncture and representing a subtle mix of European and Asian cultures. The city is set on the strait between the Sea of Marmara and the Black sea and presents several enchanting sites for visitors.
Important cities in Turkey
The larger percentage of all teaching jobs in Turkey can be found in Istanbul, the biggest city in the country. There are also a few jobs in cities like Ankara, Izmir and Adana.
