Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
80.6 %
Usually responds within 11 days
Feedback
44
Email verified
Badges (4)
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Details
Description
We are a 15-year-old institute, working on English practice for learners. Our attendees and team are all easy-going and fun. Including my wife, our teacher Yaren and me, we are a team of 8-10 people from different countries. Our sessions start at 19.30-21.30 during the week and we would like our workawayers 5 days, all on week days. It's a fun and easy experience.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our attendees are all educated and friendly people. What you will get is a lot of good connections and true friends from Istanbul. Workawayers will learn a lot about our culture and you will meet a lot of people from a lot of different professions. Our institute is the first speaking club in Turkey. You will talk, interact, learn and have a great time. As our work is about making people speak English, our workawayers will learn how to manage a group and how to moderate a conversation. We have a topic-based system in our app, where they will see the speaking topics about cultural and common subjects. The part is like all we do, being one of the speaking moderators and managing the ongoing conversations. You will be one of our speaking moderators, or in other terms teachers. Our attendees will learn how to teach English and manage language acquisition with our very complex and on the other hand very easy-to-manage teaching methodology. It's a great chance to learn about Turkish culture and lifestyle while moderating speaking sessions talking about daily, cultural and fun topics.
Help
We have 4 levels of groups in the cafe at the same time at 7.30 pm, each group managed by one of our native or native-like speakers. As we already have a speaking curriculum, which is like a course book in our application and website, workawayers don't need to prepare any materials or lesson preparation. Our work is not a teaching job, it's managing a speaking group and their conversation, our attendees learn and practice the language in the group. We need native or native-like English speakers to manage the speaking sessions. It's not like running a lesson but more like running a group and their conversation following the topics in our system. You will follow the topics in our mobile app and extend the conversation according to the attendees of the speaking session.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have our accommodation in Kadıköy, where we can host 4 workawayers. We have a washing machine with drier, dishwasher, personal lockers, unlimited wifi: free tea and coffee in the cafe. We have a fully equipped kitchen for cooking (cooker, frying pans, saucepans, plates, spoons, knives, mixer, food chopper) and a dishwasher. Every workawayer has a locker for clothes, you will need your personal padlock.
Our accommodation is in Kadıköy.
What else ...
Transportation is effortless all around Istanbul from our district
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a wifi connection in our accommodation and our both branches, workawayers can do their online lessons in their free time
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Host ref number: 556835447341
Feedback (22)
5 Apr 2025
Left by Workawayer (Tshepo) for host
Although I could only spend one month in Istanbul due to visa restrictions, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the place, the students, and the other workawayers. This was my first workaway experience and my first time teaching in any capacity, and Altan along with the students made it a very pleasurable experience. Everything is as advertised, from… read more
16 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Muhammad)
Maho is a great friend and teacher. During his stay, he was disciplined and also really easygoing. He did his best as a teacher and became one of our best teachers for the last 16 years at our school. He had good relations with our students and they all loved him. Thank you, Maho. Hope to see you back in Istanbul
(Excellent
)
15 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer (Muhammad) for host
I volunteered here twice and stayed a total of almost 3 months and I loved every minute. Kadikoy is my favourite area of Istanbul and it's an incredible place to stay. You only work 2 hours a day Mon-Fri so it's super laid back. You will spend all your time with locals so you will immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Turkey. This is… read more
18 Nov 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Ethan)
Ethan was a great friend to us and a great teacher for our students. He was always respectful and kind. he is very easy to work with. He is helpful and considerate. He did his best as a teacher and became one of our greatest teachers. Thank you, Ethan. You can come back and join us again any time you want to
(Excellent
)
18 Oct 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ethan) for host
I enjoyed my stay at the Cafe. The Kadikoy branch could not be a better base for exploring an amazing part of Istanbul, and the actual teaching was very rewarding and a great way to get to know Turkish culture and the hidden gems of Istanbul. Altan and Esra were helpful throughout my stay, as was everyone involved with the cafe. This is a great… read more
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Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
5 Apr 2025
Left by Workawayer (Tshepo) for host
Although I could only spend one month in Istanbul due to visa restrictions, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the place, the students, and the other workawayers. This was my first workaway experience and my first time teaching in any capacity, and Altan along with the students made it a very pleasurable experience. Everything is as advertised, from… read more
16 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Muhammad)
Maho is a great friend and teacher. During his stay, he was disciplined and also really easygoing. He did his best as a teacher and became one of our best teachers for the last 16 years at our school. He had good relations with our students and they all loved him. Thank you, Maho. Hope to see you back in Istanbul
(Excellent)
15 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer (Muhammad) for host
I volunteered here twice and stayed a total of almost 3 months and I loved every minute. Kadikoy is my favourite area of Istanbul and it's an incredible place to stay. You only work 2 hours a day Mon-Fri so it's super laid back. You will spend all your time with locals so you will immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Turkey. This is… read more
18 Nov 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Ethan)
Ethan was a great friend to us and a great teacher for our students. He was always respectful and kind. he is very easy to work with. He is helpful and considerate. He did his best as a teacher and became one of our greatest teachers. Thank you, Ethan. You can come back and join us again any time you want to
(Excellent)
18 Oct 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ethan) for host
I enjoyed my stay at the Cafe. The Kadikoy branch could not be a better base for exploring an amazing part of Istanbul, and the actual teaching was very rewarding and a great way to get to know Turkish culture and the hidden gems of Istanbul. Altan and Esra were helpful throughout my stay, as was everyone involved with the cafe. This is a great… read more
16 Oct 2024
Left by Workawayer (Monika & Sam) for host
Monika and I had an amazing time at this place. It's a great chance to learn about Turkish culture from locals. The students are so kind, funny and engaging; they are great to work with.
Even though I was there to teach I felt like the students were teaching me. Due to the way the classes are set up -talking- you get to learn a lot about the… read more
Even though I was there to teach I felt like the students were teaching me. Due to the way the classes are set up -talking- you get to learn a lot about the… read more
15 Oct 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Monika & Sam)
Monika and Sam are the greatest and sweetest couple we have seen. They are always positive, easy-going, helpful and considerate. They were never late or disorganized while teaching or using our accommodation. They are clean and tidy. Our students loved them and are still asking about them. We have a teaching system and curriculum, which takes at… read more
(Excellent)
14 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Viviana)
Viviana is really hard to communicate with. She is demanding and won't fit in any project.
She has been in touch with us all day and demanded all day long as if we didn't have any other responsibilities. After the observation and feedback of our staff and friends at our other branch, we decided not to take her into our project. We didn't want to… read more
She has been in touch with us all day and demanded all day long as if we didn't have any other responsibilities. After the observation and feedback of our staff and friends at our other branch, we decided not to take her into our project. We didn't want to… read more
(Negative)
9 Sep 2024
Left by Workawayer (Viviana) for host
I want to share my experience as a warning for future volunteers, even though it was unfortunately negative. Upon arriving, I encountered a hot day and was eager to take a shower, only to find out that shower is only allowed between 1 PM and 10 PM. This restrictive schedule means you’re left without the option to shower, cook, or rest properly… read more
14 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Koiras (Mostafa))
Koiras is an easygoing and colourful friend. He is responsible. As a teacher, he was dedicated to his students and did more than he was expected to do. Thank you koiras. Hope to see you again in Istanbul
(Excellent)
1 Aug 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Panna)
Panna is a true intellectual and also she is very friendly and energetic. Her communication with us and our students was perfect. She was always on time and disciplined while she was teaching our students. We had a great time with Panna. Thank you and hope to see you back in Istanbul
(Excellent)
7 Jul 2024
Left by Workawayer (Panna) for host
This was my first workaway, and it couldn't have been a better experience. I spent a month teaching English and had a great time. The students are of various ages but very enthusiastic and eager to participate. The hosts, Altan and Esra were helpful and super communicative. The work is straightforward and not at all difficult. The lessons were fun… read more
1 Aug 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Simon)
Simon is one the best English language teachers we have seen. He is very friendly, energetic and mature. We had the chance to work together for a month and asked him if he would like to stay longer. During his time in Istanbul, he did his best as a teacher and friend. Thank you, Simon. Hope to see you again if you ever think of coming back to… read more
(Excellent)
10 Jul 2024
Left by Workawayer (Simon) for host
I really enjoyed the month I spent helping with teaching at the cafe. The students were great and very keen to learn... and I also learnt a lot about the local culture from them. Altan was a great host and made me feel very welcome. The apartment is very close to the cafe amd everything you need is available.
7 Jun 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Madeleine)
Madeleine was very friendly toward us and our attendants. We enjoyed having her in our cafe. She understood everything and didn't cause any problems. Thank you for everything, Madeleine.
(Excellent)
6 Jun 2024
Left by Workawayer (Madeleine) for host
This place is absolutely an amazing concept. I had so much fun and room for creativity while teaching here. The students are amazing and I made so many great friends. It really is the best thing I could’ve done while visiting Istanbul. Altan what you are doing is genius and you are an amazing host. I felt very welcomed and looked after on my stay.… read more
20 May 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Samuel)
Samuel was a perfect friend and teammate. He was always on time and he was a great English language teacher. He was also very friendly and easygoing. Thank you Samuel for being with us and spending your time with us and our students
(Excellent)
4 May 2024
Left by Workawayer (Samuel) for host
I had a fantastic time at the cafe! Altan is an excellent host, and the work was straightforward and easy to complete. The accommodation's location is perfect for exploring Istanbul, with convenient transportation options. The highlight of the program, in my opinion, is the cultural exchange. Meeting friendly locals who are eager to share their… read more
7 May 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Kye)
Kye was a great friend and teacher in our cafe. We enjoyed our time together. He is a very easy-going person and we never had a problem with him. He understood his task. It was great to have him in our place. Our students loved him. We would love to have him in our cafe again. Thank you so much for everything Kye, we wish the best for you.
(Excellent)
19 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Kye) for host
This is an exceptionally long time coming but prompted by it being 1 year since I landed in Istanbul, I thought I'd finally write something.
I spent a month at the cafe in May last year. My time at the cafe with Altan and the crew was a fantastic experience and one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I truly enjoyed every moment with the… read more
I spent a month at the cafe in May last year. My time at the cafe with Altan and the crew was a fantastic experience and one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I truly enjoyed every moment with the… read more
11 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (japreis)
Jacob is one of the best teachers we have ever had in the cafe. He's hardworking, disciplined, confident, neat and also a true intellectual. He was also a very good teammate. Thank you, Jacob; you have been a very good friend and teammate. Hope to see you again in Istanbul
(Excellent)
23 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Joppe)
Joppe was a great friend and a teacher. He was kind and trustworthy. He became like a young brother to us. Thank you for your time and company. We would definitely like to see you around again. thank you and good luck
(Excellent)
14 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Joppe) for host
My experience at the Cafe was amazing and surpassed my expectations! First of all, the communication with Altan was great, so I did not experience any initial awkwardness that a new place/tasks might give! Secondly, I really enjoyed the tasks because the students wanted to learn and participate, showed interest in the cultural differences and… read more
10 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Henry)
Our students loved Henry greatly because of his energy and teaching. It was great to spend time with him and talk about things. In breaks, we always talked. He would always ask for our days and wanted to learn things. He was a great friend to everyone. He, Vlad and Usame were a great team. He never caused any trouble. He is a kind, easy-going, fun… read more
(Excellent)
30 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Henry) for host
My six weeks at Spoken English Cafe were absolutely incredible. Altan, Yaren, and Esra are a wonderful team who make the volunteer work pleasant, stress-less, and enriching, but honestly the classes at the cafe feel less like work and more like a cultural exchange with locals who want to improve their English, connect with others in the community,… read more
8 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Vladislav)
Vlad was one of our best teachers. He was a qualified english teacher who helped us in the ''can't speak'' level perfectly. Students were sad that he left but hopefully, he will come back. He is a very easy-going person and fun. It was so fun to speak in Turkish with him sometimes. He really tries to learn new things and that motivates the… read more
(Excellent)
27 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Vladislav) for host
This workaway was not just good. It was truly special and fulfilling for me. Im so thankful for the people I met in Istanbul during my 7 weeks there, for ample time to explore every nook and cranny of the city, for tapping into my creative, social side to help students learn and enjoy.
Altan, Esra and Yaren, thank you guys for making this… read more
Altan, Esra and Yaren, thank you guys for making this… read more
8 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Jorge)
Holaaa Horhe!!! :)
He was really friendly and easy-going. He became one of us. We would be happy if he stayed longer. He just stayed one month but he was really good and we would love to have him again. Thank you so much for supporting us and always helping when we needed it.
We wish you the best in the future too, see you again :)))
He was really friendly and easy-going. He became one of us. We would be happy if he stayed longer. He just stayed one month but he was really good and we would love to have him again. Thank you so much for supporting us and always helping when we needed it.
We wish you the best in the future too, see you again :)))
(Excellent)
7 Sep 2023
Left by Workawayer (Jorge) for host
Holaaa!
This Workaway it's amazing!! It is an incredible opportunity to meet local people and submerge yourself in Turkish culture. I had such a great time here, I want to thank Altan and Esra for this fantastic opportunity!!
What I really liked about the job was the cultural exchange I experienced, talking with local people from Istanbul… read more
This Workaway it's amazing!! It is an incredible opportunity to meet local people and submerge yourself in Turkish culture. I had such a great time here, I want to thank Altan and Esra for this fantastic opportunity!!
What I really liked about the job was the cultural exchange I experienced, talking with local people from Istanbul… read more
22 Aug 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (William & Naqia)
Will was a great guest and friend. In a very short time, he learnt our system and became a perfect teacher and friend to our students. We had a great time together and had a lot of time. After our workaway experience in Istanbul, we asked him if he would like to take our student group in our school in London. He managed well again in London and… read more
(Excellent)
19 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (William & Naqia) for host
This was my first workaway experience and I find it hard to imagine it gets any better than at the cafe. Altan and Esra (and Yaren!) are lovely and warm people who made me feel welcome from the very start. The atmosphere at the cafe is one that has you looking forward to coming to work (even though it doesn't feel like work at all). The students… read more
6 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Andreas)
Andreas is a lovely person. He had knowledge about Turkish culture, he was like one of us and our students loved him. He is an easy-going, positive person. Thank you for everything, Andreas. (I missed our conversations too)
(Excellent)
4 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer (Andreas) for host
I don't know why I've been so hesitant to write this...I guess there were just too many impressions to process, but that doesn't change the fact that I couldn't have wished for a better Workaway experience (two months).
First of all, I felt very welcomed from the moment I stepped into the cafe. As a non-native speaker with no experience in… read more
First of all, I felt very welcomed from the moment I stepped into the cafe. As a non-native speaker with no experience in… read more
30 May 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Leah)
Leah was a really good teacher, students loved her so much. She was so energetic, funny and always in a good mood. We wanted her to stay more. Thank you so much for everything Leah, hope to see you again. (Lots of kisses from Yaren!)
(Excellent)
19 May 2023
Left by Workawayer (Leah) for host
This was my first workaway and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Altan and Esra (and Yeran!) were really friendly and welcoming from the first moment we met and there is just a really great vibe in the cafe in general! It was amazing being able to meet so many locals and hang out with the students in the evenings after class or on… read more
29 May 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Robert)
Robert was a really good teacher.He was positive and never late.He took the job very seriously and kept the house clean and tidy.We are gratefull that you were here,thank you for everything Robert.
(Excellent)
28 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer (Robert) for host
This wasn't just my first Workaway, but my first time travelling solo, so I was nervous heading out. That apprehension quickly disappeared. Istanbul is an incredible city, it's chaotic, sprawling and beautiful, and this Workaway is the perfect way to visit it. The fact that you usually work just 2 hours a day gives you plenty of time to explore… read more
7 Mar 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Cormac)
Cormac was a great friend and a great teacher. He was always on time and took the job very seriously. We had a great time with him; students loved him as an English language teacher. We are currently planning to work with him professionally in London, where we opened a new language school. Thank you Cormac and see you in London
(Excellent)
23 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Cormac) for host
couldn't have been happier with this Workaway, I met so many amazing people and have gained memories il always be thankful for. Alton is a great, funny kind guy who made me feel welcome the second I arrived and made settling into the Workaway a very comfortable experience. The teaching was amazing, it was more just having a conversation with… read more
29 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Giovanni) for host
I had such an amazing time in Istanbul thanks to this opportunity to work here. My journey was incredible and allowed me to gain experience and meet a lot of great people, starting from the staff to the students. Indeed this was my first workaway and i strongly believe that i won't find a better ad than this one as the Cafe is a perfect community… read more
13 Dec 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Saulo)
Saulo is just a great man. When we first saw him we understood he is a really nice and intellectual man. He was very easygoing and friendly to our students. He was never late to our sessions and he did the job in a very systematic way. We didn't expect him to be such a good English teacher as it isn't his profession, but we found out that he is… read more
(Excellent)
13 Dec 2022
Left by Workawayer (Saulo) for host
I am eternally grateful for this unforgettable experience in Istanbul. I'm glad the cafe was my first experience in workaway because everything turned out to be exactly as described: I lived in a lovely, safe neighborhood that is close to everything I needed; all the students were sincerely interested in practicing their English and learning about… read more
13 Dec 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Lucas)
Lucas is one of the most social and friendly men we have ever seen. He's very talented in communicating with people, he's honest and he thought a lot about us and he did his best to support us. During the two months of his stay, he was never late for our speaking sessions and he even spent more time with our students after the sessions. He is a… read more
(Excellent)
28 Nov 2022
Left by Workawayer (Lucas) for host
My trip here was such an unbelievably fantastic experience and a completely unique workways opportunity and could not recommend it more for us Native English speakers. The Cafe has a great environment, attracting keen people who are wanting to speak, learn and envelop themselves in the English speaking Culture - Individuality is valued greatly.… read more
