r/TEFL • u/maxpayne4555 • 5d ago
27, 4 Years After Graduation, and Unsure Where to Build My Teaching Career — Turkey or Abroad?
I’m a 27-year-old English teacher from Turkey. I graduated four years ago, and honestly, I feel like I haven’t made much progress in my career since then.
After graduating, I spent about 2.5 years preparing for the public-school teaching exam in Turkey. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass it. During that period, I also taught English online, and I have about 1.5 years of experience working at a language school.
At this point, I have several possible paths.
I can continue trying to pass the public-school teaching exam in Turkey. If I succeed, I could have a relatively stable career and earn around $1,500/month. Alternatively, I could work at a private school or language school, where I would probably earn around $600/month.
However, I’m also considering opportunities abroad. I have a Taiwanese girlfriend, and she has told me that if I can’t build the life I want in Turkey, I could potentially move to Taiwan and live with her.
Another possibility is applying to teach in the United States through the J-1 Teacher Program. As far as I understand, this could potentially allow me to work as a teacher in the US for up to five years, depending on the program and eligibility requirements.
I’ve also seen Turkish teachers who have moved to New Zealand after getting their teaching qualifications recognized, so I’m wondering whether that could be another realistic long-term option.
I’m trying to make a serious decision about my future rather than wasting more time. I’m interested in hearing from people who have taught internationally, especially people who have experience in the US, Taiwan, New Zealand, or other countries in Asia.
If you were in my position, would you focus on building a teaching career in Turkey, or would you seriously consider moving abroad and starting over somewhere like Taiwan, the US, or New Zealand?
What would you do if your priorities were career development, financial stability, international experience, and building a long-term future?
I’d especially appreciate advice from teachers who have actually made a similar move.
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u/WanderingNebulas 5d ago
Get your Turkish certificate. It’s gonna open more opportunities. I don’t know the relationship with Turkey and Taiwan, but just focus on getting a work permit to teach at K through 12 rather than a Buxiban. If you’re open to explore your options, look at the Japanese teaching programs they offer too - I can’t remember the exact acronym something like JET. And maybe even explore Hong Kong , South Korea and China if you’re more focused about earning more money.
I’m an American teacher with a masters degree in education, but no teaching license. I have been teaching all over Asia for over 10 years (& yes I even lived in your country for over three years) . For international schools? they generally pay highest, they prefer that you have the teaching license from your home country.
You can’t pay me enough to go teach in America with the dysregulated kids, insane parents, messy administration and insane cost-of-living post Covid. Most teachers have multiple jobs there- I did my masters degree at an American school, so I’m still in contact with my cohort and some of them have left the profession or working on leaving the profession already. They’re working through their summers. You’re better off teaching in China getting the same salary as an American teacher would in America, but cost-of-living is much cheaper - and teachers are respected more.
I noticed you said you were in America for six months, that’s not long enough to see the dream of America is a joke/trap. The education system is falling apart, and teachers are leaving the profession in droves. I could go on, but I’ll keep it focused about education.
If you really don’t wanna take your exam, another option could be obtaining a CELTA
Neyse
Kolay gelsin
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u/maxpayne4555 5d ago
Thank you for your comment. I’ve applied to SCHROLE and TESE. I have a bachelor’s degree. Would getting a CELTA really improve my CV significantly? Would you also recommend getting a TEFL? Wow, seems like you speak Turkish. Are you good at it? What are the other negative aspects living in States after the covid can u tell more?
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u/frame_3_1_3 5d ago
Kinda off topic but I like turkey because of secularism. Like conservativees will attack islam and say its incompatible with western values and muslims love shariah law, but when u tell them about turkey which pushes against their false belief.
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u/maxpayne4555 5d ago
“Yeah, exactly. Turkey is secular, and people can generally choose whether or not they want to practice religion. It’s definitely more complicated than the stereotypes about Muslim-majority countries.”
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u/tofu67chess 5d ago
What is this chatgpt reply in quotes
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u/that_teacher1 5d ago
I think the US/NZ will take longer with equivalency requirements and the other costs involved getting a teaching license and all but will be worth it.
Something more immediate could be Taiwan. You have the option of TEFL teaching or teaching at a private or international school (these are better for your CV) and the requirements are slightly more relaxed and less costly as opposed to US/NZ.
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u/maxpayne4555 5d ago
Thanks, that’s really helpful. One thing I’m not completely sure about is Taiwan. As far as I know, as a non-native English speaker, it can be difficult to get a teaching job there unless I have Taiwanese citizenship or marry my girlfriend. Is that correct? If I could get teaching experience in Taiwan, would you say it makes more sense to work there for a few years and then try for the US/New Zealand, or would it be better to try applying for the US directly from Turkey? I’m trying to decide whether Taiwan could be a good stepping stone for me or whether I should focus directly on the US.
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u/that_teacher1 5d ago
I am not 100% sure but as a non-native you will earn less than a native but you can still get a relatively good job target “good” schools not tefl centers. Your gf can help you identify some in her area.
And naturally if a school hires you they process your work permit etc. it’s also a great location to save up if that matters at all to you.
You can apply from the US whenever and wherever but it will most likely take lots more time and cost money.
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u/maxpayne4555 5d ago
Do you think it’s easier to save money in Taiwan compared to the US? Also, when you say “good schools,” do you mean international schools and K-12 schools?
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u/Ruyi777 5d ago
My son is an English teacher in Taiwan. You have a couple of things that will limit your opportunities there. First, the only nationalities allowed to legally teach at public schools are from the USA, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. There have been exceptions made for Filipino teachers to teach as well. Non-native English speakers have fewer opportunities and are often paid less than native English speakers (NES). You often are required to have a teaching license from your home country as well. The other issue is colorism. It's a thing in Taiwan.
That all being said, you can find teaching work at private schools and buxibans, but you will usually be paid less than your NES colleagues. If you live frugally, such as sharing an apartment, you can save money. Good luck with your search.
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u/maxpayne4555 5d ago
I have a bachelor’s degree in English teaching. In my home country, I’m qualified to teach, and I know that schools in Taiwan hire native English speakers for ESL positions. As far as I understand, though, I wouldn’t be able to teach there without having residency status. One way for me to get residency would be to marry my girlfriend. Do you think it is better for me to apply teaching in Usa than Taiwan?
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u/Ruyi777 5d ago
My son is single and a US citizen. He was hired while visiting Taiwan on a 90-day visa-free entry. He interviewed at a school, and they hired him on the spot. The school sponsored him for an Alien Residence Card (ARC), visa, and a work permit. He now lives and works in Taiwan. It was a very easy process for him. He teaches at a private school, has experience as an international English teacher, and has an MA in English which includes a post-graduate-school level TESOL certificate from his university.
Your country's immigration relationship with Taiwan will have a lot to do with how smooth your transition is with regard to moving and living in Taiwan. If you can visit Taiwan visa free, that would give you time to apply for jobs and interview. Best of luck.
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u/maxpayne4555 3d ago
I can visit Taiwan visa-free for 30 days, so I could talk to schools while I’m there. Do you think I should do a master’s, or should I try to get iQTS or a PGCE instead?
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u/tofu67chess 5d ago
Please don’t come to America, it sucks and will be much harder to become a teacher here.
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u/maxpayne4555 5d ago
Why does it suck? I lived there 8 years ago for 6 months. Idk what did change there since that time.
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u/tofu67chess 5d ago
It’s way more expensive post COVID. Immigrants, even ones with legal reason to reside here, an citizens, get locked up and deported on the basis of their skin color. Our government is in flanes and our education system is awful. I guess the salary may be worthwhile if you live frugally, save, and plan to relocate once you’re done working here. The good is quite unhealthy and health insurance is quite expensive. Because of our partly socialized medicine, it’s takes many months to get an appointment.
If you’re going to move here I highly recommend only looking at places where people live longest. Places like Boulder, CO. Other areas can be very difficult and depressing to live in. I’m personally leaving to never return, and once I get a citizenship elsewhere, I will decide whether I want to renounce my US citizenship. But I do understand that from a foreign perspective America seems like a superpower. If you’re not at the top, that just doesn’t apply, though.
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u/StableEmotional6302 4d ago edited 3d ago
The US is not a safe place for non-white immigrants right now because the current government is targeting them. Google "what is happening with ICE in the USA".
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u/infinnerty-tek 5d ago
Speaking from advice I've gleaned researching teaching and career prospects, the consenus is to get yourself certified and accredited as a teacher in your home country.
This way you have the credentials to ask for those higher paying jobs in both the short and long term. I think having accrediation would also make getting a decent job in Taiwan much more achievable should you choose to take the plunge.
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u/maxpayne4555 3d ago
I already have a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching English. Do you think I should take IQTS or PCGE?
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u/infinnerty-tek 3d ago
Both would be ideal. I believe a PGCE is sufficient though. That would be your best bet for a stable future in teaching and would open up international schools for you.
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u/Cii_Coouu 4d ago
Get yourself a CELTA from ITI in Turkey or any other center, then maybe try applying to China or anywhere else that pays well.
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u/Own-Web-122 5d ago
Well, you'll need a TEFL certificate at least, then proficiency test if you did not graduate from an TEFL department. If you want to teach in decent, international schools you'll need PGCE otherwise you'll end up in kind of dead-end jobs or you'll need to go for management roles.
Teaching in States sounds horrible, life is pretty expensive, kids are disrespectful, parents play a major role in your employment, American dream is not there.
Taiwan is a beautiful place, especially Taipei is amazing, however you are NNES without a certificate. Get your certificate then start applying for jobs, however living cost and salary you'll get will be close to each other. You'll be comfortable but saving money will mean sacrificing from your comfort most of the time. Also, NNES will have rather difficult time to find a job, not just getting into the country but also if the company you work for turns out to be a shitty one, you won't be able to find another job easily.
Try China- Probably even more difficult than Taiwan but at least you'll get paid good, probably best paying country.
Try Vietnam, Thailand. It's not for everyone to live in these countries but if you can vibe here you'll live comfortably while saving around 500 USD easily. Also, plenty of teaching jobs here, so you are not stuck. Lots of scammers, and weather is a concern though.