Teaching English in Izmir, Turkey: Bianka’s story

I am Bianka, an English teacher and teacher trainer. Reflecting on my teaching journey, I discovered my passion for teaching at the age of 10, using dolls as pretend students. With over a decade of experience, my profound interests lie in teaching English and playing volleyball.

My venture into teaching English in Turkey unfolded as I pursued my dream of teaching abroad. Though faced with challenges, I persevered and successfully obtained my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. This journey is of immense value to me, and I am eager to share it with you, especially my experience in acquiring the TEFL certificate.

My life before TEFL

Before I obtained my TEFL certification, I had a completely different perspective on teaching. I used to think that I had a thorough knowledge of teaching and was up-to-date with the latest techniques. However, I realized that this was not entirely true when I started the TEFL course. 

It served as a wake-up call and made me realize that I had forgotten a lot about teaching methods and needed to update my knowledge and skills. The TEFL course helped me to re-learn and update my teaching knowledge and techniques, which has been extremely valuable in my career.

Previously, I was not actively engaged in my professional development as an English teacher. This means that I wasn't seeking out new methods of teaching, reading teaching books, or adopting new approaches to teaching. However, after taking the TEFL course, I realized the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. I started to schedule time to read teaching books and research new teaching methods, which has had a very positive impact on my teaching abilities. This experience was truly beneficial for me as an English teacher.

Finally, before TEFL, my earnings as an English teacher were limited because I could not work with international companies or collaborate with them for classes. As a result, my salary was lower than it is now, which negatively impacted my financial situation. However, after obtaining my TEFL certification, I was able to expand my teaching opportunities and work with international companies, which has significantly improved my salary and overall financial situation.

How did I start teaching English to students in Turkey? It’s an interesting story…

It all began when I decided to obtain TEFL certification after 11 years of teaching experience. In April 2023, while studying for my TEFL certification, an intriguing incident occurred during my hotel stay. Some teenagers approached me speaking Turkish, and upon learning I was an English teacher, expressed a desire for physical English classes. Teaching them became a fascinating and challenging experience. 

Our English classes started three times a week, in the evenings. The experience was amazing; the students were eager learners, and our group expanded from two to seven within a week. Delighted with our growing community, I gained valuable teaching experience while earning money.

Upon completing my TEFL certification, I chose to stay in Izmir for three more months, teaching both online and physical English classes. Unfortunately, some students left Izmir, but we continued our classes online. Teaching for three months in Turkey was an interesting and rewarding experience. Eventually, I had to return to Iran, but I maintained contact with my students, continuing our classes online. 

Getting into TEFL after 11 years of teaching

I decided to pursue a TEFL certification despite having extensive teaching experience because my teaching style underwent a complete transformation after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a self-employed teacher, I established my own Instagram page to conduct online English classes through various platforms, engaging with students globally through placement tests and interviews.

Upon reflecting on my professional journey, I realized I needed to do more to stay updated and enhance my skills as a teacher. While the idea of getting a TEFL certification had crossed my mind before, the cost had always been a deterrent. However, one day, I took the leap and applied for the certification with the main motivation of becoming a recognized international English teacher. I aimed to utilize the latest teaching methods and share my knowledge with fellow teachers and students.

What happened after TEFL certification?

Following the acquisition of my TEFL certification, I began receiving recognition as an international English teacher, achieving my primary goal. I commenced teaching online classes for companies worldwide, spanning countries like Turkey , Canada , China , and Korea . My heightened social media visibility facilitated more collaborations and opportunities to create educational videos with fellow teachers.

This experience emphasized the importance of continuous learning and knowledge updating for English teachers, regardless of their years of experience. Even after 15,or 20 years, there’s always room for growth and new experiences. Investing in professional development is crucial, contributing to one’s effectiveness and versatility as a teacher.

A significant benefit of obtaining my TEFL certification was the increased opportunities it opened up for teaching in different countries. Now, I have a broader array of job offers and potential teaching experiences, which I am genuinely excited about. I look forward to teaching in various countries and gaining valuable international teaching experience.

Additionally, I noticed significant improvements in various aspects of my teaching skills and knowledge. One area that particularly stood out was my understanding of essay writing. As an educator, it's easy to overlook the importance of keeping certain skills and knowledge up-to-date, such as essay writing, punctuation, and grammar. However, the TEFL course effectively reminded me of the necessity to continually refresh and refine these competencies. It enhanced my comprehension of essay writing structures, techniques, and best practices, along with proper punctuation and grammar usage. This not only benefits my professional development but also ensures that I can effectively guide and support my students in their learning journey.

You can find me on Instagram at @englishbianka and on LinkedIn . Feel free to reach out on either platform if you have any questions or would like to connect.

If you’re interested in sharing your story as a TEFL teacher, get in touch at euan@tefl.org or reach out to us on social media.