4-Week TEFL Course in Istanbul, Turkey

Our course is accredited by Learning Resource Network, an Ofqual-recognised awarding body, as a level 5 certificate.

The course costs $1500. You’ll pay a deposit of $400 when you enrol and the balance directly to the partner centre approximately four weeks before the start of the course.

Please note:
These prices may be lower if you see an offer listed on our site or have a discount code.

Included in the price of the course are:
– Pre-course support – visa, insurance and documentation advice
– The 4-week, 130+ hour course
– 10 hours of teaching practice
– 6 hours observing experienced teachers
– Expert tuition from certified and experienced trainers
– Accommodation assistance
– Welcome breakfast or lunch and graduation ceremony
– All course materials
– Organised social and cultural events
– Lifetime job support from the partner centre and from School of TEFL
– Deposit refund guarantee
– Add-on Grammar Course
– Lesson plan subscription

This is an intensive, university-level course that requires dedication and hard work! It’s not a ‘shortcut’ TEFL course. However, with your commitment, you’ll emerge from it well-prepared and highly motivated to start your teaching journey.

Yes, you’ll teach actual local ESL students at two different levels for 10 hours. These students will be in small groups.

Yes, the course trains you how to teach both adults and young learners. You’ll learn core teaching skills applicable to all age groups, along with specific strategies for teaching young learners.

During the 4 weeks, you’ll be assessed on the following:

1. Teaching practice – You’ll need to show that you can reflect on your own teaching and put feedback into practice.
2. Personal and professional portfolio – This is a “progress log” where you record your achievements and identify areas for growth.
3. Individual Student Teaching Project – You’ll create a detailed learning plan for one student (including two lesson plans) and normally teach one of the lessons.
4. Group Project – You’ll create a project with some of your fellow trainees around the themes of teaching and cross-cultural awareness. You’ll then present this project to the whole group.
5. Final written test
6. Attendance

You’ll also have several one to one tutorials with your trainer to talk about your progress and answer any questions about what you’ve covered on the course.

The course is suitable for motivated individuals of all ages and backgrounds who want to teach English in Turkey, around the world or online.

The course tends to get fully booked up to two or three months in advance, so it’s best to book as early as you can.

There is an average of 8 trainees on each course.

A laptop for lesson planning is useful if you have one. When teaching or observing classes, you need to wear professional, business clothing (no jeans, shorts, flip-flops or t-shirts). When not teaching or observing, you can wear more casual, but still “semi-professional” clothes.

You don’t need to prepare in any way. However, we would recommend taking our add-on Grammar Course (free when you enrol). You’ll learn grammar on the course, but this will give you a head start.

If you want to read about English teaching before the course, Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener and The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer are both good options. Again, this is optional, as you’ll learn all you need to know about the theory and practice of teaching on the course itself, but some trainees find it helpful to be familiar with some of the terms and concepts before starting the course.

No – TEFL courses show you how to teach without needing to know the language of your students. If you go on to teach in an English speaking country, you’ll probably have classes of mixed nationality/first language, so using the students’ first language isn’t an option anyway!

Our partner centre provides ongoing job search support. During and after the course, you’ll have individual job guidance sessions, along with advice on writing your CV, preparing for interviews, and approaching potential employers. The partner centre has contacts with many schools locally and internationally, and may be able to help you explore roles within its network of language schools, depending on availability and fit.

In addition to the support offered by the partner centre, School of TEFL provides continued guidance throughout your TEFL journey. Before, during, and after the course, we’re here to offer advice on CVs, job applications, interview preparation, and building your TEFL career. You’re always welcome to get in touch by email or phone for personalised support – we’re here whenever you need us.

Included in the course fee is arrival point greeting, transfer to accommodation, a welcome dinner and organised social events.

Please feel free to ask if you need help with anything else as well – the partner centre team will do their best to assist you or point you in the right direction wherever they can!

To teach English in Turkey, you’ll need:
– a TEFL certification
– a Bachelor’s degree in any field/major
– to have native level English

Some employers will require a clean criminal background check.

To teach English in Turkey you’ll need a residency permit and work visa. The residency permit allows you to live in Turkey once your tourist visa expires, but not to work. The work visa, sponsored by your employer, allows you to work.

Once you have secured a job, employers may assist with the application process for the work visa, depending on the school’s policies. You’ll need to provide your TEFL certificate, Bachelor’s degree certificate and passport.

For the residency permit, you’ll need an application form, your passport, passport photos, a small application fee (which may or may not be paid by your employer), and proof of funds in your bank account to cover the duration of your stay, or evidence that you will be earning money (i.e. a job offer). You can apply for the residency permit yourself at the police headquarters, but again, some employers may assist with this process depending on their policies and your contract.

Our partner centre provides guidance and support with the visa process during your course, and you can read our more detailed information about visas here.

Yes, as long as you can demonstrate that you have a high level of English proficiency. Some employers may require proof of this, in the form of an official TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Proficiency test result.

Most English teaching jobs are in Istanbul and Ankara and some smaller cities like Izmir and Bursa. The most popular and reliable work is in language schools and private schools. In language schools (either big chains like Berlitz or Wall Street, or smaller, independent schools) you’ll typically teach adult learners, and the job will probably involve some evening and weekend work. In private schools, you’ll be teaching kids, and will typically work a full week during school hours. Private school positions tend to be more competitive and so may require some experience. You can also work in summer camps, or do private tutoring.

Average teacher salaries are between about $600 and $1500 USD per month. Salaries tend to be higher in Istanbul and Ankara than in smaller cities, and can also vary according to your experience, and factors such as whether the school provides accommodation. Private schools tend to pay more than language schools.

The cost of living in Turkey is generally low compared to many neighbouring European countries or the USA. Basic living expenses are typically between $600 and $1000 per month, depending on the city. For example, a private room in a shared apartment in Istanbul may cost $200–$400. Many teachers supplement their income with private or online tutoring.