Dave Morgan is a Maths teacher plying his trade at the interestingly named ‘KOC International School’ in Istanbul…welcome to the chair and thanks for the interview..

Where do you teach ?

The Koc School Istanbul

How many pupils on the roll ?

2000

Which curriculum do you follow ?

First two years students follow a mixed curriculum but the last two years, Koç School provides a variety of IB and non-IB courses.

How much EFL support is required to get the kids through?

The students are Turkish so they get 5 Lessons a week of ESL

What is the split between English speaking students and native speakers

All Students are Turkish

Anything massively different you would like to tell us about Turkish students ?

They are similar to Middle Eastern Kids a bit Lazy and very talkative

Have you taught in other countries, and if so can you give a insight into these ?

Thailand, Bahrain, Togo, Mozambique, Spain, China, Turkey.. . Countries very different, packages all very different the bet students to teach were in Togo and China also the best schools. The best schools are also the non profit schools.

Do you save much ?

About 2/3 or the salary, so pretty good really.

 Any plans to teach in the UK again ?

Sorry not for me…

What other local cuisine can you recommend, I love a lamachen?

Turkish cuisine is all good

What do you think of the beer? I gave up because the Efes hangover

Agreed ! Efes beer  which is mainly the only beer you can buy not so good

How do you spend the weekends?

Watching Premier league for the most part !

What kind of visa is you on and do you need to do visa runs ?

We have a work permit so there is no messing about with visas

Where do you live and how much does it cost ?

We live on school grounds at no cost so that helps

3 best things about living in Istanbul

Istanbul is a beautiful city; food is good, flights fairly cheap

And of course, 3 worst things as well….

Traffic, poor management, ill disciplined kids

Have you ever been to the Secret Garden ?

nope, tell me more…

This is a place I found, a secret bar located on the top floor off the main drag…We were taken there by a local and it was the hippest place to be, and extremely relaxed and had the good crowd. Check out the link  http://www.whattodoinistanbul.net/nightlife/clubsbars/find-secret-garden/

Tips for the readers for finding work internationally ?

Generally working abroad is very good but research the places.

What does the future hold ?

Back to Asia for us

Ian’s take on Istanbul…..

I also spent 4 months teaching English in Istanbul between August 1999 and December 1999…

I was about when there were a few  major earthquakes. I remember being in a telephone box when we were hit by a 7.4 on the Richter scale hit.   Half the phone box caved in and I turned to see the buildings and pavements all wobbling around like jelly. For the next few weeks as the aftershocks came I would ly in bed and plan how I could bungee with a bed sheet from the 5^th floor. They play with your mind earthquakes, the aftershock asks the question, is this the start of another earthquake?

Still, don’t let that put you off!!!  Istanbul is a cracking city with wonderful people. It is as the cliché states where East meets West on so many levels.  Istanbul is steeped in history, and is very picturesque with the Eye of Sophia and the Blue Mosque providing the backdrop.  Many of the westerners I met there were there for life, some settled down with Turkish partners that simply loved the lifestyle.

Istanbul has superb food and a load of small bars providing fantastic nightlife. I like the  modern arabic music that gives you the feeling you are somewhere totally different.  They are a city of smokers and tea drinkers, not your PG tips but tea served from the urn in small glasses that are consumed at every break and on every corner and usually with a cigarette. From a teaching perspective, it’s an easy place to start your teaching adventure abroad because it’s not an overly dramatic change in living styles and culture.  Simply put you’ll be able to survive just fine and get all the essentials you need while being blown away by the country.

Things to remember

• People  are great and I must add the girls were extremely  attractive and could dance in wonderfully Arabic seductive way.
• Small vendors offering excellent food. I used to eat Lahamchuns and they cost something like 80p.  A lamachun is like a rolled up thin meat pizza drizzled in lemon and coriander. It amazes me they have never found their way into the kebab shops of London.
• The small cafes and bars. Istanbul is secret bar upon secret bar. Go in at the first floor and you will find level upon level of bars with different style of music on every floor. . They don’t advertise the bars, so that’s the beauty…you have to discover them yourself. Go in have a beer and explore.

It’s safe ! Wander the city and never feel threatened not like some parts of London. Things only get a bit rowdy when the football is on and Galatasary or Fenebache are playing and then the mild mannered shop owners turned into the most passionate of supporters.

 

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