ESL Activities

ESL Games, Activities, Lesson Plans, Jobs & More

  • Warm-Up
  • Listen
  • Read
  • Speak
  • Write
  • Jobs
  • Podcast

in Jobs and TEFL Cert

Teaching English in Turkey: Qualifications, Salary, Jobs and More

One of the earliest settlements of human civilization, Turkey is a beautiful country waiting for you to explore. It is located between Western Asia and Southeast Europe, making it a perfect destination to travel from. That’s also why many people consider teaching English in Turkey.

The Turkish are a welcoming people that will be happy to have you. Whether in the bustling city of Istanbul, or the less populated outskirts of the country, you will be able to teach English in Turkey jobs. It is a great opportunity to grow your teaching skills and get prepared to teach abroad again.

If you want to learn more about how to teach English in Turkey and find English teaching jobs in Turkey, keep reading!

teaching english in turkey

Teaching ESL in Turkey

Teaching English in Turkey

Turkey is becoming a leading economy and is a leading power in the region. The country is growing its citizen’s ability to read, write and speak English to more thoroughly participate in the global economy.

Istanbul is a perfect city for international travel. It is centrally located in Western Asia and Southeast Europe, meaning you can travel easily to both places. It is a great option should you wish to travel while on break from teaching. It’s a nice base to travel to places like Morocco, Israel, and other locations in the Middle East as well.

Although the country has encountered problems in the past regarding safety, you can expect a safe environment. Although it borders unstable countries, it has power in the region and wields influence.

Teaching ESL in Turkey is a great opportunity for English teachers. Keep reading to find out more!

Requirements for teaching ESL in Turkey

Turkey has a fairly high demand for English teachers. This is because the Government and citizens are warming up to using English as a way to communicate with the world. Requirements for teaching here are not extremely stringent. However, it’s important to understand them before you apply. The following requirements are the minimum for teaching ESL in Turkey:

  • TEFL certificate
  • Work Visa and work permit and residence permit
  • BA – in any field

A residence permit is required if you are planning on spending more than 90 days in Turkey during a 180-day period.

There are a number of other qualifications that Turkish employers consider as assets. These are as follows:

  • Native English speaker
  • Prior teaching experience
  • Masters degree

Make sure you pay attention to the requirements above and communicate regularly with your employer. You don’t want to miss any of them at risk of jeopardizing your employment.

teach english in turkey

A guide to teaching ESL in Turkey

Salary and Benefits for teaching English in Turkey

Salaries in Turkey aren’t as lucrative as in other parts of the world, such as Japan, so you’ll want to find the schools that offer better benefits. The following salaries are offered in Turkey:

  • Language schools: $600-$1100USD per month
  • International schools: $750-$1250USD per month
  • Universities/colleges: $1500-$2000USD per month

University and College jobs are hard to come by in Turkey, so you should expect to earn somewhere between $600-$1250 per month. Be sure to find the schools that offer great benefits, like the following:

  • Health insurance
  • Housing/housing allowance
  • Paid vacation
  • Return airfare

To be clear, not all employers in Turkey will offer the above benefits. Reputable and well-known schools will most likely offer great benefits to attract great ESL teachers. There are, however, a fair amount of schools that are either starting up or aren’t well-regarded. Keep an eye out for reputable schools that offer decent salaries with great benefits.

The salary and benefits are very similar to teaching ESL In Egypt. 

Teaching Opportunities in Turkey

There are some awesome teaching opportunities in Turkey. You need to do your research on every individual school to ensure they are reputable and will follow through on their commitments. You’ll also want to make sure you are being compensated fairly in both salary and benefits. The reputable schools are usually fair in their compensation, but you’ll need to do your research before accepting a job in a school that isn’t as well known.

Language schools

Language schools are the most popular jobs in Turkey for ESL teachers. They’re a great opportunity for newer teachers to expand their experiences and build up their resumes before exploring higher-paid opportunities. These schools are usually for teaching adults who want to expand their language skills in order to get better jobs. Consider teaching at the more established schools as they are more likely to provide adequate salaries and benefits.

International schools

Teaching in international schools is one of the best options as they are usually the best paid with the best benefits. There is fairly intense competition for positions in international schools, so these would be a better option for those with higher qualifications and experience.

Universities/colleges

If a longer-term position is of interest to you, consider universities as an option in Turkey. Most jobs are given internally, but it can happen that a foreigner gets a position. You’ll need a master’s and lots of prior teaching experience for these positions. They’re usually salaried with great benefits. A university position is a good option if you are interested in staying in Turkey for a longer period of time.

Private Tutoring

Most ESL teachers earn a bit of extra cash on the side via private tutoring. The average rate is about $5-$20USD per hour, depending on experience. If your salary is on the lower side, you may need to consider this as an option.

teaching english in turkey jobs

A Guide to Teaching English in Turkey

Teaching English in Istanbul

Istanbul is the biggest city in Istanbul. It is also the economic, cultural, and historical heart of the country. So, a lot of ESL teachers who decide to teach abroad in Turkey consider teaching English in Istanbul.

TEFL Jobs in Istanbul:

  • Private schools
  • Language schools
  • International schools
  • Private Tutoring

English Teaching Job Salary in Istanbul:

  • $800-$1,200 monthly.
  • $15 hourly rate for private lessons

Some jobs provide free housing, but if it doesn’t, you can find affordable housing online or in local newspapers. ESL teachers in Istanbul often look for housemates, which is a great way to save money.

Things to consider for teaching ESL in Turkey

Turkey is one of the countries where you need to seriously consider the pros and cons before you accept a position. There are many variables at play here. You should be content with your circumstances if you are accepting a position in Turkey.

  • Turkey’s politics have been changing drastically over the past decade. It is generally a fairly stable nation. However, there have been moments of deep divides in society that have led to protests and violence.
  • Protests and demonstrations are common and those participating are sometimes mistreated by the police. Be careful to avoid the protests and demonstrations and definitely do not participate. Be sure to check the Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisory page before planning travel.
  • Most of the country is extremely conservative. Women are required to dress as such in most parts of Turkey. Be mindful of the local laws and norms.
  • Homosexuality is legal in Turkey. This is similar to other countries like Saudi Arabia. However, it isn’t well received. Be careful if you are part of this community.
  • Classroom teaching can be difficult, as it is teacher-centred and usually lacks a group-work component. A self-starter and individual worker are best suited to most classrooms here.
  • You are likely to experience a great amount of culture shock, both in and out of the classroom.

FAQs for Teaching English in Turkey

Here is a quick guide to some commonly asked questions about teaching English in Turkey.

How much do English teachers earn in Turkey?

ESL teachers earn around $800-$1200USD per month (on average) in Turkey. It’s important to pay attention to the benefits too. Reputable schools will give you decent benefits and your pay cheque on time. You may not have the same experience in a less-known school that does not yet have a reputation (for better or worse).

What qualifications do I need to teach ESL in Turkey?

At the bare minimum, you will need a TEFL certificate and a BA. You need to have a work visa and a work permit and a residence permit. It’s a good idea to reach out to others on social media or elsewhere who have experience teaching in Turkey. They will be able to give you advice on the specifics of applying for the various permits.

It is definitely a different teaching environment in Turkey, but not necessarily hard. You may find yourself isolated from other teachers, and in a teacher-focused classroom. Be flexible and willing to alter your teaching style in order to fit the student’s needs.

Will I be able to save money while teaching in Turkey?

It will be difficult to save money while teaching in Turkey. Salaries are on the lower end of countries, and the cost of living in the big cities is more expensive. If you are teaching in the less densely populated cities, particularly in the western area of Turkey, you will be more laid back and able to save.

Is it safe to teach ESL in Turkey?

Despite what is often reported in the media, it is generally safe to teach in Turkey. The country borders some unstable nations. However, Turkey is usually the power in the region that acts as an arbiter. Turkey is rarely targeted. Be sure to avoid protests and demonstrations, as these often end in arrests and clashes with police.

Teach English in Turkey: Join the Conversation

What do you think about teaching English in this beautiful country? Is it the right place for you, or are you looking for a better-paying country? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.  We’d love to hear from you.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 60 books for English teachers and English learners, including Business English Vocabulary Builder and 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
YouTube
Facebook
Pinterest
TikTok
LinkedIn
Instagram

« Teaching English in France: Qualifications, Requirements, Salary and More
ESL Warm-Ups | TEFL Warmer Games and Activities for All Ages »
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners (Teaching ESL Speaking...
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners (Teaching ESL Speaking...
Check Price on Amazon
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
Check Price on Amazon
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
Sale 1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon

Search this site

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

Sale 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
Check Price on Amazon
Sale 39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities: A Very Practical Guide to Using TBL in the...
39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities: A Very Practical Guide to Using TBL in the...
Check Price on Amazon
line up game questions

Line Up Game for ESL/EFL Classes | Line Up Game Questions

daily-routines-esl

Daily Routines ESL Activities, Games, Lesson Plans & Worksheets

esl-kindergarten-games-activities

ESL Activities for Kindergarten: Fun ESL Kindergarten Activities

best-games-to-play-in-class

Fun Classroom Games: Best Class Games to Play with Students

last day of school games

Last Day of School Ideas for Games, Activities & More

Sale 101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
Check Price on Amazon
  • About + Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Top Selling ESL Activity Book

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities and Games

classroom-games-for-teenagers

ESL Activities for Teenagers | Fun Games for Teens English Learners

find-something-in-common-esl-activity

Find Something in Common ESL Activity For Higher-Level Students

esl-queustionnaires-surveys-for-students

ESL Surveys for Students | TEFL Questionnaires Activity

quantifiers

Quantifiers ESL Activities, Games, Worksheets & Lesson Plans

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Best-selling author and English teacher Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL activities and games since 2015. The goal is to bring you the best ideas, lesson plans, and activity recommendations for your TEFL classes.

Get in touch: About + Contact

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Email: [email protected]

Pinterest

Facebook

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2023 Jackie Bolen + ESL Activities. All rights reserved.