Job Discussion Forums

[MarcusK]

Has anyone had any recent experience with Interlang, preferably the Mecidiyekoy branch?

There are quite a few comments in the job journal from a few years ago, but there isn't much recent information. Based on what I've been able to find out so far, it seems like a great opportunity. Does anyone have any contrary info?

Also, I believe Mecidiyekoy is near Sisli. What is that area like?

Thanks in advance!!

[justme]

As far as I know, Interlang is still doing ok, financially and otherwise. They were bought by English Time last year and I think the education quality may have suffered due to the new management, but many of the teachers are the same and plugging along. Interlang has an excellent stock of teaching resources, and even if the new owners are pushing stupid curricula, you should be able to get around it somewhat. I don't know about being paid on time. I think the Mecediyek�y DOS is the same (Liz Aykanat) and she's quite good-- you can trust her to be honest about conditions, money, stuff like that. Mecediyek�y sounds like a good place to live-- central, close to Taksim, good bus and metro service...

Good luck!

[bron]

Hi, I'm new here, but I'm working at the Bakırk�y branch of Interlang currently so thought I'd reply here first....

We've been through a rough patch with the buyout, things were pretty hectic for awhile (at the Bakırk�y branch, at least) because we were without a DOS. We have one now, though, and he's doing an incredible job sorting everything out.

Liz is DOS at the Mecediyk�y branch, and she's super. You can trust her to be straight with you about all details. The Mec branch is smaller than the Bakırk�y branch... fewer teachers (3), so I suspect it's quieter generally. It's closer to Taksim, though, and their apartments are bigger.

Can't tell you much about the Kadık�y branch... is new, small and far away, but there have been no problems that I've heard of....

On the Bakırk�y end, we've got an incredibly tight-knot group of teachers, so much so that the vast majority of us (7 out of 9) are renewing our contracts so we can spend another nine months or so together... and education-wise, things are all up from here by the looks of it. We're getting more resources (some were taken away for inventory, that was chaotic) and as I say, our new DOS is really a godsend helping us with schedules and class problems.

Generally, I think Interlang's educational management (read: Liz) is unique in the interest they take in teacher development. We have workshops every two weeks (at all branches) and any time you have a question or need help with some aspect of teaching, there will be support for you. That goes a long way to making me feel good about the job I'm doing for my students.

Cheers and good luck with your decision!

[MarcusK]

Many thanks to both of you for the information.

I'm hoping to end up centrally located in Mecidiyek�y, but it may depend on where the openings are. Still, my main objective is to work in an environment that supports ongoing training, so Interlang sounds like a great opportunity, regardless of the location. I'll just have to wait and see whether I get a job offer, I guess!