Job Discussion Forums

[Leila2003]

Hi there again....I'd like to know if this is normal?? A school has sent me an offer of employment but nowhere do they state the salary. Furthermore, they want me to put $500 into their bank account for procedures to complete the work permit.....is this on the level???

I would appreciate any feedback a.s.a.p.

Thanks a million

[El Gordo]

Even if the work permit does cost USD 500, which I very much doubt, if the school cannot afford to pay that amount, what does that tell you about them? Also, any reputable school would by now have sent you a specimen contract with the salary clearly stipulated.

I would treat this offer with a great deal of suspicion, and would definitely not part with any money. For all you know, it could just be some scam. Does the school actually exist?

[Leila2003]

Hi there....me again....the school has sent me brochures and a code of conduct and they seem sooooo professional....I am currently teaching in the ME and its contract renewal time....I really want to go BACK to Turkey but don't want to get there and find I have chosen a "fly-by-night" school.

What questions can I ask to make sure that the school is on the up and up; reputable and that I will have some form of recourse should something happen??

Thanks to anyone who can assist.

[scot47]

Either this is a scam, or the school are incompetent. I am sure you can find someone bettr than this. Why not just go and look ? Do everything the old-fashioned way, face-to-face.

[halibut]

It does NOT cost $500 to process a work visa. They are trying to rip you off. My work visa cost about $100 once everything was finished, but that was a year ago. By the way, it is impossible to get a work visa once you get to Turkey. You can only get this from your home country. If they try to tell you somwthing different, they are lying. Remember that a lot of language schools will tell you anything just to get you there, knowing that if you travelled a long way just for that job, you aren't likely to leave even if they lied to you. Run away! And you should tell us all what language school this is, so we can also avoid it in the future.

[richard ame]

Hi Leila

A lot of what the previous post said is correct especially relating to the work permit which should be applied for from your nearest consulate /embassy,the name of your prospective employer should be held up for all to see and examine under the most powerful of electronic microscopes so that everyone as well as all and sundry can see what a bunch of wankers they are ,don't run away if this is the place you want to be there are too many places who will do right for you,but not many I hasten to add in Istanbul,try Izmir they are a little more friendly and its a small enough place to find your way round .

[Leila2003]

Hi there all.....thank you for the advice but it is not a language school....instead it is a private school....with a KG, Intermediate and High school section.....they are based in Tarabya....can you tell me if they actually exist???? I have seen their website and it looks extremely professional....PLZZZZZZZZZZ I really need to know soon since I have to either accept the offer or let them know that I am not interested.....I hope you can help me ....I cannot teach at a language school....I enjoy teaching at schools....plzz any help will be appreciated...thanks a million!!

[El Gordo]

I presume this is the same school in Tarabya about which you asked in a previous post. It does indeed exist - I have often seen its minibuses dropping off students in the Sariyer / Maslak areas in the afternoon - but I have no idea whether or not it enjoys a good reputation locally.

One possibility is that they might have had problems in the past with native speakers who signed a contract and then failed to turn up. I know that this is a great problem for many schools, not just in Turkey. The USD 500 might then be a sort of guarantee, which they will repay on your arrival. If this is the case they should at least be honest about it and not claim that is for a work permit.

If I were in your position I certainly would not pay them the USD 500. I suggest you make clear to them your reservations and if they insist on the money, look elsewhere.

[Leila2003]

Hi ElGordo

Thanks for the advice....the personnel officer actually called me over the weekend and asked me to compete the forms and "requirements" as sonn as possible....I have emailed the school and told them of my reservations....I have also asked them to give me email addresses of current or previous teachers...so I will wait and see.....I really appreciate all your help....

[El Gordo]

I had an interview at Ar-El Koleji in the spring of 2001. While it passed all my 'te