| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Turkey | 29,250 TRY £670 GBP $868 USD | September | Accommodation sometimes included | None |
Teach English in Istanbul
An incredibly international, idiosyncratic and colourful mega-city, Istanbul is an increasingly popular destination for TEFL talent.
Most accredited
TEFL course provider
TEFL course provider
Internationally recognised
TEFL certificate
TEFL certificate
Over 185,000
teachers trained
teachers trained
80% of graduates
find work within 2 months
find work within 2 months
What an idiosyncratic place Istanbul is to teach English as a foreign language. The most populous city in Europe, and the 15th largest city in the world, Istanbul is a metropolis like no other. A meeting point between two ancient civilisations and a historically vital stretch of land across various epochs, any history buff surely has Istanbul on their bucket list.
Modern Istanbul is brimming with opportunities. Straddling both Europe and Asia, Turkey’s largest city has always been a historical meeting point. With a massive tourism sector and international interest, a range of languages are spoken, including English, though it’s mainly those aged 40 or below with any real level of proficiency.
With its incredible passion, music, sporting rivalries and welcoming atmosphere, Istanbul isn’t really like anywhere else. So how does it rank as a TEFL destination? Where are the jobs, what kind of salaries are available, and what’s it like teaching English in Istanbul more broadly?
Let’s find out.
Istanbul: An overview
The word “multicultural” might as well have been invented for Istanbul. According to studies, less than 30% of Istanbul’s residents were born there, and it hosts a range of ethnicities, including Laz people, Zazas, Kurds and Pomaks. As a cultural melting pot, you’d expect Istanbul’s streets to vibrate with various sounds and languages. You’d be right.
While a large number of the Turkish population at large speak Turkish, the national language, there is a vibrant array of languages spoken in Istanbul and beyond. As you might expect, the country’s large Kurdish population speaks Kurdish, while Arabic, Armenian and English are amongst the various other languages used widely across Istanbul.
English proficiency in Turkey is at a relatively low level, per EF’s English Proficiency Index. The demand for ESL teachers is high, with the majority of teaching jobs being found in language schools, universities and state schools.
Requirements for teaching English in Istanbul
So what are the teach English abroad requirements for Istanbul? Well, ESL teachers, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree - in any discipline - to teach English in Turkey, more generally. If you’re looking to teach English abroad without a degree, Istanbul isn’t really the place - to secure a visa, a degree is essential for an English teacher.
Completion of one or more TEFL courses is a must, as is always the case teaching abroad. You need a TEFL certification of at least 120 hours to start teaching English in Istanbul. We’d also recommend considering an advanced TEFL course such as Business English or English for Academic Purposes, as there are plenty of students needing to brush up on important business vocabulary, as well as young people hoping to either complete or enroll on a course at an English-speaking university.
A clean criminal record is mandatory, and while it can be harder for those nearing retirement age, there are still employers who value previous experience in the classroom. That said, if you’re looking for teaching jobs abroad without experience, the language training centres in Istanbul are worth a look. Qualifications matter more than previous teaching experience when it comes to these kinds of employers. Being a non-native speaker isn’t a disadvantage, either; you can teach English abroad as a non-native speaker in Istanbul provided you can prove fluency. IELTS, TOEFL or a degree from an English-speaking institution all help.Salary, benefits and cost of living in Istanbul
Salary
ESL teachers in Istanbul, with full-time teaching jobs, typically earn between $800 - $1,600 USD / £634- £1,274 per month. Private tutoring can garner rates of around $15-20/£12-16 per hour. Tutoring, however, is not encouraged for those who already have full-time or part-time work, as employers aren’t particularly keen on this practice. Obviously, a range of factors can influence your pay; the type of institution, location, teacher qualifications and experience are the most prevalent factors.
Benefits
Some employers will provide a range of additional benefits to supplement your salary. These can include flight reimbursement, free accommodation or housing allowance, paid holidays and a summer break. If you work in a state, private or international school, meals are typically comped, too.
Cost of living
In terms of cost of living, Istanbul is relatively cheap in comparison to other megacities. A one-bedroom rent in the city centre is usually around $750/£595 per month to rent, monthly utilities cost about $57/£45, and a meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant is usually about $37.50/£30 for three courses, per Numbeo.
So, while salaries aren’t sky high, they do often come with considerable benefits (like free accommodation!), and a cheap cost of living. Theoretically, you can save money while teaching, even on an average salary.
For more information on the cost of living in Istanbul, consult this table:
| Restaurants | TRY | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | TRY | USD | GBP |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | TRY | USD | GBP |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | TRY | USD | GBP |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | TRY | USD | GBP |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
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English teaching jobs in Istanbul
Unfortunately, when it comes to English teaching jobs in Turkey, a disclaimer is needed; we’ve read horror stories about teachers heading over with jobs promised that, quite simply, don’t exist. Or, we’ve heard of teachers paying “administrative costs” to accept jobs in Turkey, more widely. We’ve written all about how to avoid TEFL scams and bad employers and would advise caution.
That said, things are improving, and there certainly are good teaching jobs available in Istanbul. Primarily, private language schools (sometimes called English training centres) are a really useful option for teaching English in Turkey, specifically in Istanbul. These schools, typically used by adult learners, are usually busiest in the evenings and weekends but often include health insurance and accommodation guidance. If you’re looking for entry-level positions in Istanbul, this is what we’d recommend first.
The state school system is a bit tricky. English is taught in a vast number of schools, but the level of care and the resources available can vary wildly. We’d suggest that while there are English teaching jobs in Istanbul's schools, you should thoroughly research the options before applying. In terms of school jobs, international schools are probably the best bet, though these roles are extremely competitive, usually require at least a master’s degree, and aren’t typical TEFL jobs.
Talking of master’s degrees, there are an eye-watering number of universities in Istanbul. Many of these facilities have English courses which require lecturers, need translation services, or are great resources for finding English tutoring jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much do English teachers earn in Istanbul?
An entry-level salary for an English teacher in Istanbul is around $800 - $1,600 USD / £634- £1,274 per month, depending on qualifications, the institution and level of experience.
Q. Is there a high demand for English teachers in Istanbul?
Yes, demand for English teachers in Istanbul is high. English is essential for academic, tourism, and business success in Turkey, creating steady opportunities in schools and institutes. The job market is especially strong in private language centers and growing in international schools and universities.
Q. Is teaching English in Istanbul open to non-native speakers?
Yes, non-native speakers can teach in Istanbul provided they can demonstrate fluency. Acceptable proof includes IELTS/TOEFL scores or a degree from an English-speaking institution.
Q. What qualifications do I need to teach English in Istanbul?
You need a bachelor’s degree - in any discipline - and a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours study to teach English in Istanbul.