From the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts to Istanbul which lies on the cusp of Europe and Asia, Turkey (or Türkiye) is a historic and picturesque hub. While it’s a popular destination for medical tourism, nature, and affordable travel, it’s also somewhere you can launch your teaching career abroad.

Turkish is the official language, and while the country’s English proficiency score is moderate, the language is popular especially in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya, where many students study at university in English. Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide on teaching English in Turkey, from the requirements, salary, visa process, and more.

Key Takeaways

• Turkey has a high demand for English teachers, especially in hubs like Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and İzmir
• Most English teachers earn around ₺30,000–₺70,000 ($745–$1,490 / £475–£1,110).
• International school teachers can make around ~₺94,000 ($2,000 / £1,865) per month.
• English teachers need an employer-sponsored work permit to teach in Turkey legally.
• Teachers can find most jobs in Turkey at private language schools and international schools.

Requirements for Teaching English in Turkey

Turkey has a moderate English proficiency score, but foreign teachers are still in demand in bigger cities. So, how does this affect the requirements for teaching abroad in Turkey?

Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Turkey?

Yes, you need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Turkey. Most employers require a 120-hour TEFL certificate, whether it’s completed online or in-person. A TEFL certification or other form of teacher training is also a visa requirement.

Beyond on-paper requirements, you’ll learn how to plan and deliver engaging lessons with a TEFL course, you’ll develop confidence in helping students overcome barriers when learning a second language.

Do I need a degree to teach English in Turkey?

You need a bachelor’s degree to teach English in Turkey, this is a requirement from employers and it’s also a visa requirement — so there’s no getting around it. You don’t need a degree in English or education, but you’ll secure higher-paying jobs if you do.

Can I teach English in Turkey without experience?

Turkey is generally welcoming to entry-level teachers as long as they have a degree and a TEFL certificate, so you can teach English without experience here. There’s a high demand for English teachers in Turkey, so you can find plenty of job opportunities regardless of experience.

Can I teach in Turkey as a non-native English speaker?

Being a non-native speaker won’t stop you from teaching English in Turkey, just long as you have a degree, TEFL certificate, and proof of English proficiency — either through education at an English speaking university or an IELTS or CEFR certificate.

Generally speaking, non-native speaking teachers can find most opportunities at private language schools.

Visa requirements for English teachers in Turkey

Turkey isn’t a member of the European Union, so non-EU teachers can breathe a sigh of relief — you’ve just as much chance finding work as EU teachers.

To teach English legally in Turkey, you’ll need an employer-sponsored work permit, but you’ll need to find a job first. Once you’ve found a job, your employer can apply for your work permit through the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security. You can also enter Turkey on a tourist visa and search for work in-country, but you’ll need to complete a visa run and re-enter on the right visa.

Here’s what you’ll need to qualify for the work permit in Turkey:

• Proof of job contract with Turkish employer
• Clear criminal background check
• Proof of academic and professional qualifications
• Health insurance

Important: Some schools want teachers to work on tourist visas, but this is illegal and can lead to fines or deportation. Don’t accept a job offer unless you’re sure that you’ll work on a legal work permit.

Salary and Cost of Living

Turkey is an affordable country, but that doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to save up as a teacher here. Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of living and the teaching salary in Turkey.

How much can you earn teaching English in Turkey?

English teachers can earn from ₺30,000–₺70,000 ($745–$1,490 / £475–£1,110) per month depending on your level of experience. If you’re very experienced, some international schools in Turkey offer over ₺94,000 ($2,000 / £1,865) per month and include benefits like flights, housing allowance, insurance, and more.

Private language schools vary by quality, so you can expect a difference in salaries from one school to the next. International schools consistently pay high salaries compared to other TEFL jobs, but work expectations are very high.

How much does it cost to live in Turkey?

Turkey is very affordable, and English teachers spend around ~₺49,000 ($1,040 / £780) per month (including rent). But it can be expensive as ~₺80,000 ($1,700 / £1,270) in popular spots like Istanbul.

You can live comfortably on a low salary, but you might struggle to save if you’re an inexperienced teacher. If teaching abroad in Turkey is your idea of a short-term adventure, you might not be so budget-minded, but if you’re saving up for a life in Turkey (or future travels) here are some of our best budgeting tips.

• Look beyond Istanbul: Don’t rule out locations outside of Istanbul or Antalya. Cities that offer high salaries are also more expensive to live in.
• Live outside the centre: You can save around ₺7,000 ($150 / £110) per month by living outside the city center, and these areas have fewer tourists. Public transport in Turkey is convenient and cheap, so don’t worry about getting around.
• Split the rent: Many teachers choose to live with other teachers or expats to keep rent low. While a 1-bed apartments costs around ₺22,500 ($480 / £360) in Turkey, a 3-bed costs around ₺12,600 ($270 / £200) per person per month.
• Get paid in foreign currencies: The Turkish lira is unstable and can fluctuate. Ask potential employers whether you’ll earn in Turkish lira or dollars, because you’ll get more bang for your buck with dollars.
• Practice your haggling skills: There’s always wiggle room in Turkey, whether you’re buying at markets (bazaar) or independent shops.
• Indulge in street food: Instead of heading to western restaurants, grab a local dish like a simit (a Turkish bagel) or a lahmacun (flatbread with meat, vegetables, and spices) for as little as ₺15–₺70 ($0.30–$1.50 / £0.20–£1).
• Limit alcohol consumption: Turkey has some of the highest alcohol taxes (Special Consumption Tax) in the world, be mindful of this especially during your first month during your “honeymoon” phase!

English Teaching Jobs in Turkey

Generally, foreigners can find most English teaching jobs in Turkey in the private sector. Public school jobs are usually reserved for locals fluent in Turkish, but foreign English teachers can choose between private language schools or international schools depending on experience.

You can find most teaching opportunities on job platforms like The TEFL Org Job Centre, SeriousTeachers, or Dave’s ESL Cafe. Freelance teaching is risky, because if you work for the Ministry of Education, your contract doesn’t allow private tutoring outside of work.

Private language schools

Private language schools are one of the most common places for TEFL teachers to find work in Turkey. You’ll teach a mix of ages from young learners to adults learning English for Specific Purposes (ESP) like business English or exam preparation to improve academic and career opportunities.

What to expect teaching at private language schools in Turkey:

• Year-round hiring
• Teaching evening and weekend classes
• Students of all ages — young learners to working professionals
• Classes focused on general English, Business English and exam preparation

International schools

International schools offer some of the best salaries and benefits in Turkey. Teachers at these schools follow an international curriculum like the British or International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, teaching different subjects in English. These schools usually look for QTS-level teachers with years of experience.

What to expect teaching at international schools in Turkey:

• Monday to Friday timetable
• Teaching an international curriculum with English as the main language
• High salaries and benefits like reimbursed airfare and a housing allowance
• High entry requirements; a university degree, teaching licence or PGCE, and 3+ years of previous teaching experience

Teaching English in Major Cities

Turkey is a huge country, and it’s full of exciting cities from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and the Anatolia. Here are some of the best places to consider teaching English.

Teach English in Istanbul

Teaching in Istanbul lies on the cusp of two continents — one half in Europe, the other in Asia. You can switch between the two easily! But it’s not only known for its transcontinental setting, Istanbul’s buzzing old town, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, and Golden Horn promenade creates an idyllic spot for teachers.

Istanbul is also a major tourist hub, and while this can mean busy high seasons, it also means opportunity for English teachers. Beyond a high demand among younger students, there’s a strong demand for English speakers in retail and hospitality, so teaching adults Business English can boost job prospects.

You won’t be bored outside the classroom in this busy city. If you’re a history buff you can visit the iconic 6th-century Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace. If you thrive in chaos, visit the bustling Grand Bazaar. Or, take the public Şehir Hatları ferry down the Bosphorus Strait to drift between continents.

Teach English in Ankara

Many people would assume that Istanbul is the capital, but it’s actually Ankara. Compared to other laid-back and seasonal cities like Antalya, Ankara is a more career-safe option for English teachers. As the political centre for Turkey, there’s plenty of work for English teachers at language centres and international schools.

When you’re not teaching English to businessmen and future government officials, you can soak up history at the fortified Ankara castle, embrace an east-meets-west art scene at CerModern, or grab a Turkish coffee in picturesque Hamamönü. While it doesn’t attract as much attention as Istanbul does, there’s still plenty to do in Turkey’s World Tourism Capital for 2026.

TEFL Org Teacher Story

Want on the ground insight? Find out what Bianca had to say about her teaching experience in İzmir!

Bianca, İzmir

“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 online and physical English classes.

A significant benefit of obtaining my TEFL certification was the increased opportunities it opened up for teaching in different countries. I even began receiving recognition as an international English teacher, achieving my primary goal. My heightened social media visibility facilitated more collaborations and opportunities to create educational videos with fellow teachers too.”

Want to find out more about where The TEFL Org graduates go? Check out our student stories!

Ready to Teach English Abroad? Don’t Forget Your TEFL Certificate

Before you book your flights to teach English abroad in Turkey, don’t forget your TEFL certificate! A TEFL certificate isn’t just a “means to an end” to find job opportunities abroad, you’ll develop classroom confidence and essential teaching knowledge. From refining your grammar knowledge to planning and delivering the best lessons to get the most out of your students, you’ll feel like you belong in the classroom with a TEFL course.

Get started today with our 120-hour TEFL course!