TEFL Jobs in Turkey

Turkey offers a great deal of job opportunities for TEFL teachers, particularly in the bigger cities. The majority of available jobs are to be found in private English language schools that generally pay well enough to provide a comfortable lifestyle. Most TEFL Jobs in Turkey will require you to have a TEFL certificate and a university degree.

How to Find TEFL Jobs in Turkey

The legal minimum wage in Turkey is around US$ 450 per month, as an English teacher you can expect to earn about double that amount. When you consider the relatively low cost of living in Turkey it is easy to see why it is a popular choice with many foreign teachers.

Turkey’s rapidly growing middle classes prefer to be taught by a native English speaker and are generally very keen to learn. Often there are more jobs available than teachers so finding work here should not be difficult, particularly in places such as Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara where there are a large number of English language schools catering for adult students. Jobs in these private academies are much easier to obtain than jobs in state run schools, although you will find that most classes are held in the evenings and at weekends. The majority of teaching jobs in Turkey will also require you to commit for at least one year.

If you possess an MA in TEFL, Linguistics or Education, as well as some teaching experience, you may be able to apply for teaching positions at one of the country’s public universities. These jobs are highly prized as they pay very well; however, competition for them is always particularly tough.

Questions to Ask your Employer

Before you accept any job offer, there are a few questions you should always ask to avoid any unpleasant surprises once you start work. Obviously, you need to ask questions regarding your salary or hourly pay rates, as well as any levels of compensation for travel time and expenses that might be available. You should also enquire about the availability of school resources for lesson planning and teaching materials. Other questions regarding the need for work permits or visas, as well as how much help the school will provide with this are also advisable. Finally, you should ensure that you get all the important details confirmed in a written contract.