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Living and Teaching English in Turkey - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

As one of the largest and most populated countries in Europe, Turkey attracts a huge number of visitors, including EFL teachers from all over the world.

If you are thinking of joining them, take a look at the following guides for a range of information that you should find useful before and during your trip.

As well as basic travel info, you will find guides to the city of Istanbul and several of the country’s most popular attractions.

There are also plenty of interesting facts and figures to learn and a brief insight into Turkey’s favorite foods.

As its territory occupies parts of both the European and Asian continents, Turkey is a unique destination that is often referred to as the gateway between East and West. Before departure you should make sure that your vaccinations are up to date and you have a few Turkish lire in your pocket. Although it may take a while before you can hold a full conversation, knowing some basic local language can really help you to settle in quickly.

If this fascinating country is on your list of possible locations for teaching English abroad, take a look at this travel guide. Once in the country, make sure you try some of the great local cuisine suggested here and learning some of these words and phrases will certainly come in handy.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the country’s main economic, cultural and historical center. With such a huge population there are always plenty of EFL teaching jobs available and there is no shortage of things to see and do in your spare time. After a long day of bartering for souvenirs you will find the city also has a vibrant nightlife to enjoy, from bars and restaurants to jazz clubs and wine bars.

In fact, with a population of over 13 million people, it is the largest city in Europe. There are many spectacular historical attractions to visit such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Dolmabache Palace, as well as the Grand Bazaar which boasts over 4,000 shops and 61 covered streets.

Turkish cuisine is relatively well known and highly popular in many parts of the world, particularly the doner kebab which is a late night favorite for millions of people enjoying a night on the town. If you choose Turkey as your destination for teaching EFL you will have plenty of time to work your way through all these local favorites.

However, there is much more to Turkish food than kebabs as you can see from this mouth watering list of 50 great dishes. Whether you are a red meat lover, a fan of seafood or a vegetarian, you are sure to find something on this list that keeps you coming back for more.

If Turkey is on your list of potential locations for teaching English abroad, take a look at these weird and wonderful facts for an insight into the more unusual side of this fascinating country. Other facts you probably don’t know about Turkey include, it introduced coffee to the rest of Europe and it is the worlds largest exporter of hazelnuts.

Did you know that Saint Nicholas, the basis for the modern day Santa Claus, was a bishop who spent most of his life in Turkey, or that most Turks didn’t have surnames until the 1930s? If you prefer tea to coffee you might be interested to know that the average Turk drinks 10 cups of tea a day.

A visit to the Grand Bazaar is an absolute must for every visitor to Istanbul as it is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Even if you are not looking for anything in particular, the bazaar is a great place to enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by.

With over 4,000 shops and 61 streets to explore you should find everything you could possibly want to buy, from furniture and carpets to clothes and jewelry. As it has been an important part of everyday life in Istanbul for over 500 years, the Grand Bazaar, in the very heart of the city, is the perfect place to get a real feel for Turkish history and culture.

The Blue Mosque is one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul and a must-see for any visitor to the city. Whatever time you arrive you are sure to be amazed by the stunning beauty of the architecture and the sheer size of the mosque which was the biggest ever built during the Ottoman Empire.

Built over 400 years ago, the mosque is still an active place of worship for local people so it is best to time your visit to avoid the call to prayer. The Blue Mosque is easy to reach by public transport from all parts of the city and is conveniently located close to several other popular attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.