4 replies to this topic

[AnnMarie]

I hope someone can help me. I am new to the forum and require some advice. My name is Ann-Marie and I am due to start a TEFL course in the New Year with the aim of moving to Turkey in late 2012. After becoming fed up of the UK and being stuck in a career I hate I really want to shake things up and have an adventure. I also want a job that I love and one that does not involve being stuck behind a computer desk.
I have friends in Marmaris and Icmeler and would like to find employment close to here so that I (at least initially) have some familiar support. Does anyone know what kinds of opportunities are available in Mugla area? I want to have secured employment before I arrive in Turkey as I am keeping my house going in the UK by renting it out, won’t have a huge amount of savings and will require a definite income.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance
AM

[Abi]

Hi AnnMarie and welcome to our forum. I can't help you as I'm not an ESL teacher but we do have members who are and hopefully should be able to help you.

[AnnMarie]

I really hope so, i'm itching to be in Turkey but know it's not going to be a fast or easy process.

[Fil]

It will be quite difficult to find work in the places you mentioned, but not impossible. The large number of foreigners round there makes it harder to find work teaching. It will be easier to find work in Izmir, and if you can make do with istanbul there is loads of work there. Antalya is a possible too, but you need to be careful.

Muğla university prep school is one possibility in that area, especially if you have a degree in English. And there are several kolej, and some language schools.

If you do a tefl course, make sure it is 4 weeks long, face to face and includes observed teaching practice. These are the minimum standards for a proper qualification. It might be an idea to do the course in Turkey so you can get local knowledge from the trainers and practise on local students. There are 4-week tefl courses available in istanbul, izmir and there will even be one in Antalya next year with yours truly as a trainer.

Good luck in your quest, teaching English in Turkey is fun, I have enjoyed it for years.

[AnnMarie]

Thanks Fil. I have been looking at a 140 hour course with:
•60 hours of core TEFL training online
•20 hours of in-depth grammar study
•20 hours of practical experience during a Classroom TEFL Course
•40 hours of specialist teacher training online (4 specialist certificates)
Unfortunately with work, life and money commitments, taking 4 weeks off to complete full time study is really not an option. Do you think the above course is adequate or will it leave me in a bad position for gaining a job?
In terms as the course which you will be delivering in Antalya, are you able to send me any further details? This sounds very appealing if a) i can afford it, i can gain employment soon after completing it and c) can sufficiently house and feed myself.
I don’t have a degree in English. I have a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Studies which has a preschool and primary teaching focus. I would ideally prefer to teach children under 11 years old if possible and supplement my income with some 1-1 classes for adults in the evenings. I have 3 years of experience working with business proffessionals building in order to develop business so it would be nice to still have a toe in the water with something similar (i.e teaching English to companies wishing to expand their business into UK/American market places).
I would definitely consider Izmir or Antalya. Fil, can you tell me why I need to be particularly careful in Antalya?
Thanks for all of your help.
AM

whoops is supposed to be b )