Our guide to living and working in Turkey

Quick facts

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Why is there a demand for English teachers?
English is seen as vital for career advancement in Turkey. Most state banks, private banks and many other companies offer salary increases for successfully passing internal English language examinations. When you add to this the great significance placed on foreign trade and attracting tourism, it is no wonder that almost everyone wants to learn English. You will find your students eager to learn, the culture fascinating, and the locals are extremely hospitable to English teachers. Adult classes will invite you out to dinner where they love to practice their English, asking you about your country and your impressions of theirs.

Do I go about getting a job in Turkey?
The best way to find work in Turkey is to wait until you are in the country and visit the British Council in Istanbul, Izmir or Ankara. You will then receive a list of private language schools, primary schools and high schools. From there you will be able to visit each individual school, drop off a CV and meet your potential employers in person.

Where do EFL teachers live?
Most schools provide furnished accommodation or a living allowance for teachers. You should insist on it as rents can be very high in the big cities, especially Istanbul. Usually you will be expected to share with other teachers, but some of the better schools provide individual accommodation. All schools have to provide basic health insurance (SSK) which allows you to be treated in State hospitals, however, you'd be better off paying for private treatment. Some of the better schools provide private health insurance, which is a definite bonus.

Do I need to learn/speak Turkish? You can get by without learning much Turkish, but the more you learn, the better. A small amount of effort will give you the basics you need for shopping, ordering in restaurants etc, but conversational fluency will take several years to acquire. Turkish is generally considered to be an easy language to learn, but a difficult language to use: the grammar is very simple and logical, but it can be difficult to follow all the suffixes in conversation, especially since Turks have a habit of all speaking at the same time. What is the food like? What about alcohol? Turkish food is excellent. It’s not all kebabs, though; there's a wide variety of good meat, fish and, occasionally, vegetable dishes. Basically it's very similar to Greek food. Beer is limited to rather bland lager (though a few bars sell imported beers), but the national drink is raki, an aniseed spirit like ouzo but with a smoother taste. Raki is a part of the culture as much as any drink. Avoid eating any food from street stalls until you are well used to Turkish micro-organisms, avoid cig kofte (raw meatballs - actually delicious!) unless you're totally confident about the cleanliness of the establishment, and never, ever eat kokorec (intestines). Tap water is safe in most places, but still upsets some people's stomachs because of its high mineral and chlorine content. Most people drink bottled water or have drinking water delivered to their homes. What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? The Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, the cuisine is to die for, the coastline is a dream, and many Turkish cities are dotted with spectacular mosques and castles.

Istanbul also has a fantastic choice of light entertainment. Nightclubs provide great entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of Turkish songs to belly-dancing. Alongside these are modern discos, cabarets, and jazz clubs in the Taksim-Harbiye district. In Sultanahmet, there are a number of restaurants located in restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings which offer a unique setting for an evening out.
For longer periods, try hitting the beach.

How much does it cost to fly to Turkey from the UK?
EasyJet fly to Istanbul from London for under £250, so it is not an expensive place to travel to.

When is the best time to travel to Turkey for English Teaching jobs?
Jobs contracts start all year round but more options will be available to you if you wish to start work in Jan/Feb, April, July and September.

Is Turkey safe?
Turkey is generally safe, but sporadic violence due to domestic and regional tensions does occur. We strongly suggest that you refer to to the Foreign Office website for up to date travel information.

Further reading :
Istanbul.com - New comprehensive guide to Istanbul
WorldTravel.com - Detailed guide to Turkey
Turkey In Photos - Light hearted site with photos

PAID TEACHING PLACEMENTS:

Why not apply for our one year paid teaching placement in Istanbul?