Job Discussion Forums

shiningstar21 · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 13

I've been offered a job as a Kindergart. teacher in Ankara, Turkey with some school called Burc Akademiler.

The interview went well, and the jobs sounds good, with it payin $1,100 a month, and a free flat. Problem is, I can't find any information on the school...Has anyone heard of them?

Should i accept this offer..?

oipivo · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 163 Location: Poland

Is that 1,100 TL or USD? Either way that's a pretty raw deal. Anything below 3,000 TL at a private school should not even really be considered. If you're qualified it's not easy to get into a private school or university and make upwards of 3,000 a month.

shiningstar21 · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 13

It's $. Accomodation is free, which I think is pretty good? Confused

sixthchild · Joined: 18 Apr 2012 Posts: 298 Location: East of Eden

Lets see the dollar rate is about 1.8 so lets be generous and double it, so thats 2.2 TL, not a lot on the face of it, the flat must be worth another 600-800tl depending on location from school and furnishings, do you get a midday meal? Any other perks?

shiningstar21 · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 13

Is that money not good? I've only got a TEFL and no experience.
Yes, you get breakfast and lunch and they sort out your visa.

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

In my opinion that is a very reasonable offer that is worth accepting, shining star.

oipivo · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 163 Location: Poland

There are many better job options. Working at a language school with FAR less hours and much easier teaching would net you more than that salary in about 30-ish hours. Really don't take these private school jobs unless the deal is really sweet. You will work 30 times harder than others and make the same if not less money than them.

Is it a bad deal? Not totally. The flat would be nice, but the salary isn't great at all. I would really suggest exploring other options.

sixthchild · Joined: 18 Apr 2012 Posts: 298 Location: East of Eden

Take what the last poster said with more than a pinch of salt. For you this is not a bad offer

oipivo · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 163 Location: Poland

Again, it's not a bad deal, but it's not a good deal either. It's on the low end of middle of the road. I'm just trying to help you out. I've been here a few years and just watched five new teachers pick up jobs at private schools and are making about 3,000-3,700 TL plus residence permit, meals, etc. (no flat).

If the school seems really nice, go for it. Just trying to keep the newbies informed.

sixthchild · Joined: 18 Apr 2012 Posts: 298 Location: East of Eden

Hi Oipivo

I was a bit puzzled by your comment that gives the language school a better review than the private school. It is a fact that most so-called language schools are very much at the bottom end of the job market in terms of earnings and job security.
In my experience only a very small number operate legally and most of their foreign teaching staff if not all do not have work permits or residence permits. Forget holidays or free meals or flight tickets or even housing allowances and when you have outlived your shelf life you will be shown the door!

oipivo · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 163 Location: Poland

Oh language schools. You are right, most of them are big shady corporations that could give two shits about their students or teachers, but they're still not terrible jobs. For some people they end up being perfect, not many hours and decent pay. For some people private schools are far better, they want to work 40-60 hours a week. It's just personal choice. I've worked at a private school and didn't enjoy it.

There are upsides and downsides to language and private schools. It's really just luck of the draw. Two friends got hired at the same ime teaching the same grade at two different schools. One is having a nightmare of a time and the other is generally enjoying it.