Istanbul, Turkey
4 week TEFL Course
- Government accredited
- 10 hours teaching practice
More info
Deposit Refund Guarantee
We're confident in the quality of our training: If you complete the course and don't pass, we'll refund your deposit.
Fully accredited
Ofqual level 5 TEFL certification, recognised worldwide and exceeding international standards
What's included?
4 week, 130 hour (+/-) course
10 hours of practical teaching practice
6 hours observing experienced teachers
Pre-course support, including visa advice
Expert tuition from certified vocational trainers
Lifetime job support
Accommodation assistance
Welcome breakfast or lunch
Save $100 with our current offer
Lifetime job support (in addition to the partner centre job support)
Deposit refund guarantee
FREE add-on Grammar Course
FREE lesson plan subscription
FREE starter pack of resources
With an ever-increasing demand for English teachers, Turkey is an ideal location to start your TEFL career, gain experience with both adults and young learners, and immerse yourself in a fascinating culture which uniquely blends Eastern and Western influences.
Whether you decide to stay in Turkey or not, our accredited, 4-week TEFL course qualifies you for thousands of English teaching jobs worldwide, and comes with expert job support.
The course
This is a full-time, intensive course, involving a commitment of time and work. Most trainees find the course immensely rewarding and attest to an enormous sense of achievement when they complete it. Please read What can I expect? and our FAQ below to learn more about what’s involved.The training centre
The training centre is in the heart of Kadikoy, the main centre of the Asian side of Istanbul, and a vibrant and diverse district known for its lively atmosphere and historic charm, as well as authentic Turkish day to day life. The centre is just a few minutes walk from public transport services including ferry, metro, bus, and tram.Class size
The average number of students on the course is 8. Courses tend to get fully booked up to three months before the start of the course.Schedule
The course runs for 130+ hours over 4 weeks. You can expect to be in class, or observing, planning and teaching lessons from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The practical component of 10 hours teaching practice and 6 hours of observations is spread over the 4 weeks. Weekends are free, but with the expectation of some work completing assignments and asessments. Please see What can I expect? for more detail about the “day to day” of the course.Istanbul is known as the Gateway to the East. It’s a unique city that effortlessly bridges the gap between continents, cultures, and centuries. It’s a mesmerising fusion of old-world charm and modern dynamism. The Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque stand as towering reminders of the city’s imperial past, while sleek skyscrapers and trendy cafes reflect its contemporary spirit.
There’s a lively energy as you walk through the streets. The call to prayer echoing from the minarets, the scent of delicious street food, busy spice markets. Watch people playing backgammon, huddled around small tables in tea-houses, or peacefully and timelessly casting fishing nets into the Bosphorus. Then rejuvenate in a hammam and watch life go by with baklava and strong Turkish coffee.
At night, the Bosphorus strait comes alive with the lights of ships, and you can find a wide range of restaurants, bars, and clubs in the Taksim and Beyoglu areas, or the historic but more low-key Sultanahmet area.
Istanbul is a unique backdrop for the start of your TEFL journey. You may find that the city itself, with its insights and experiences, inspires and enriches what you can achieve on the TEFL course. Istanbul is waiting for you. Are you ready to dive in?
What can I expect?
Before the course
Once you’ve enrolled, we’ll get in touch with our partner centre, who will look at your application before confirming your place on the course.
(If for any reason we or the partner centre are unable to offer you a place on the course, you’ll receive a full refund of your deposit payment.)
The School of TEFL team and partner centre will keep in close contact with you until the course starts, providing information and advice about visas and documentation, arranging your accommodation and other practicalities, and answering any questions you have.
You’ll pay the balance payment directly to our partner centre approximately 60 days before the course starts. (If you enrol closer to the start date though, that’s no problem).
At the start of the course, our partner centre will invite you for a welcome breakfast, to help you get to know the people you will spend a month with during the course.
Day to day on the course
Theory
Each day, you’ll have three hours of input sessions covering a range of topics. You’ll learn about the language itself, teaching skills and techniques, classroom management strategies and much more. The aim of these sessions is to give you a strong grasp of the theory behind teaching English as a second language. You’ll also experience being taught in an unknown foreign language to put you in the shoes of your students, and have individual and group job guidance sessions.Practice
The practical part of the course takes place across the four weeks, and you’ll leave the course with invaluable hands-on experience. On the first two days you’ll have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers giving real classes. Then you’ll jump straight into teaching the students yourself for 10 hours across the four weeks, putting into practice what you have learnt on the course. You’ll have plenty of guidance and support throughout this process, including one and a half hours of guided lesson planning each day, lesson feedback from your trainer and discussion sessions to develop this feedback.Coursework and assessment
During the 4 weeks, you’ll be assessed on the following:- Teaching practice – You’ll need to show that you can reflect on your own teaching and put feedback into practice.
- Personal and professional portfolio – This is a “progress log” where you record your achievements and identify areas for growth.
- 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.
- Group Project – You’ll create a project with some of your fellow trainees aound the themes of teaching and cross-cultural awareness. You’ll then present this project to the whole group.
- Final written test
- 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.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and practical experience you need to confidently pursue a career in English language teaching.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn everything you need to start teaching English: teaching skills, how to manage a class, teaching theory and much more. Here’s a summary of the main areas you’ll cover on the course:
- Language awareness (learning about how the language works, including grammar and phonology)
- Lesson planning and lesson structure
- Different teaching methodologies and how to apply them
- Teaching group classes
- Teaching one-to-one
- How to teach grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
- How to teach speaking and writing
- How to teach reading and listening
- Classroom management
- Error correction
- Testing and assessment of learners
- Preparing learners for English language tests
- How to find and develop materials and resources
- Using visual and audio aids
- How to teach children
- How to teach Business English
- Cultural awareness in English language teaching
- Life skills for TEFL, including communication and employment awareness
Accommodation
The TEFL course in Istanbul comes with a free accommodation finding and booking service on request. You’ll have either a single or double room in a fully furnished shared house or apartment, with all the key amenities and within a short bus ride of the training centre. A single room costs approximately $450. The rooms are warm, clean and comfortable. Other types of accommodation can also be arranged if required, and you are also welcome to make your own accommodation arrangements if you prefer!
After the course
What can I do with my TEFL certificate from School of TEFL in Turkey?
The School of TEFL course trains you to teach in Turkey or anywhere in the world. If you decide to stay in Turkey, you’ll find job opportunities in language schools and summer camps across the country.
Our partner centre has an extensive network of schools and language centres built up over a number of years. They will assist you in finding a teaching position suitable for you as part of their hands-on job guidance support, as well as helping you create a CV tailored to Turkey’s market conditions, assisting with interview techniques and more.
Where can I teach?
You could work in Istanbul, where most of the teaching opportunities are concentrated (including at our partner centre school), taking advantage of the large expat community, nightlife, and full-on energy and excitement of the city. Or you could head to the capital Ankara, an option with a slightly lower cost of living and still plenty of jobs to choose from, or to smaller cities such as Izmir, Bursa and Adana.
Most work is in private language schools and, if you prefer a shorter stay, summer camps, with work at international schools and universities becoming available once you have some experience under your belt.
If you decide to leave Turkey, there is quite literally a whole world of possibilities open to you, with teaching jobs in just about every country on every continent.
Again, the School of TEFL team and the specialist staff at our partner centre will provide you with advice and support, and we take this commitment to you very seriously. We’ll help you create a CV tailored to the job market’s requirements and work with you to explore prospects with language schools and other potential employers.
Requirements
Minimum 18 years of age
Proficient in all aspects of English
Secondary education to pre-university level and able to complete an intensive university-level course.
Clean police/criminal record check from your home country
Clear understanding of professional conduct, punctuality, cultural sensitivity and the ability to get along with others.
Upcoming dates
| Dates | Spaces | Deposit | Enrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrol now, choose dates later | $400 $300 | Enrol | |
| 11th Nov - 6th Dec 2024 | Limited | $400 $300 | Enrol |
| 6th Jan - 31st Jan 2025 | Available | $400 $300 | Enrol |
| 3rd Mar – 28th Mar 2025 | Available | $400 $300 | Enrol |
| 7th Apr – 2nd May 2025 | Available | $400 $300 | Enrol |
| 16th Jun – 11th Jul 2025 | Available | $400 $300 | Enrol |
| 1st Sep – 26th Sep 2025 | Available | $400 $300 | Enrol |
| 3rd Nov – 28th Nov 2025 | Available | $400 $300 | Enrol |
FAQ about the course and Turkey
Course FAQ
Who is the course accredited by?
Our course is accredited by Learning Resource Network, an Ofqual recognised awarding body, as a level 5 certificate.
How much does the course cost?
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.What's included in the course price?
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
– Online grammar courseHow easy/difficult is the course?
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.
Will I teach actual students on the course?
Yes, you’ll teach actual local ESL students at two different levels for 10 hours. These students will be in small groups.
Will I learn how to teach both adults and children?
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.
How will I be assessed?
During the 4 weeks, you’ll be assessed on the following:
- Teaching practice – You’ll need to show that you can reflect on your own teaching and put feedback into practice.
- Personal and professional portfolio – This is a “progress log” where you record your achievements and identify ares for growth.
- 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.
- Group Project – You’ll create a project with some of your fellow trainees aound the themes of teaching and cross-cultural awareness. You’ll then present this project to the whole group.
- Final written test
- 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.
Who is the course suitable for?
The course is suitable for motivated individuals of all ages and backgrounds who want to teach English in Turkey, around the world or online.
How early should I book?
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.
How many other people will be on the course with me?
There is an average of 8 trainees on each course.
What should I bring/wear for the 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.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the course?
You don’t need to prepare in any way. However, we would recommend taking our online grammar course (free when you enrol). You’ll learn grammar on the course, but this will give you a headstart.
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.
Do I need to speak Turkish to take 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!
What kind of job help and support is provided?
Our partner centre provides lifetime job assistance. During and after the course you will have individual job guidance sessions, and advice and assistance with all aspects of finding a teaching job, including writing a CV, interview techniques and arranging job interviews. The partner centre has contacts with many schools both locally and worldwide, and can often place graduates within its own network of language schools.
In addition to the job help provided by the partner centre, School of TEFL provides lifetime job guidance and support. Before, during and after the course we’re on hand with expert advice on preparing your CV, applying for jobs, succeeding at interviews and building your TEFL career, for as long as you need us, and we take this commitment to you very seriously. To access this support, all you need to do is send us an email or give us a call at any time, and we’ll give you one-on-one, personalised support.
What else can the partner centre help with / provide?
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!
Turkey FAQ and practicalities
What are the requirements to teach English in Turkey?
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.What type of visa do I need to teach English in Turkey?
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, your employer will normally help you with the application process for the work visa. 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, your employer should provide assistance with this for you.
Our partner centre will be on hand to help you with everything to do with visas, and you can read our more detailed information about visas here.Can non-native English speakers teach English in Turkey?
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.
Where are the teaching jobs and what kind of jobs are available in Turkey?
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.
Is accommodation provided with teaching jobs in Turkey?
This depends on the employer. Some provide either free accommodation or a housing allowance, and some include other benefits such as reimbursing your flight and visa expenses, paid holidays, even free meals!
How much will I earn teaching English in Turkey?
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.
Will I be able to save money teaching English in Turkey?
The cost of living in Turkey is low compared to many neighbouring European countries or the USA, and basic living expenses should be between about $600 and $1000 per month, depending on the city. For example, a private room in a shared apartment in Istanbul ranges from about $200-$400 per month. Many teacher supplement their income with private or online tutoring.
Our support for Plan International UK
We believe everyone should have access to the education and future opportunities they need to thrive. That's why for every TEFL course we sell in 2024, we're donating £5 to Plan International UK via Work for Good.
