Job Discussion Forums

[wonshiin]

I'll throw my hat in the ring as well. I'm a 25-year teaching vet with 8 years university experience in Korea, adult ed, ESOL certified in the US (secondary lit and language arts), MS TESOL, and approaching 60. I also seem to have become a writing teacher over the years.

Korea has lost its charm for me, and Turkey seems interesting.

I see lots of "hagwon" type jobs there in ESL Cafe posts, but I want something more stable. What would the college job market look like for me in Turkey?

I'm in Korea now--is it worth focusing a job search on Turkey?

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks

[coldcucumber]

Avoid the private schools.
universities are easy enough to find.

[wander&teach]

There is great demand here in Turkey and you will not have any trouble landing a decent job. Also age here is not a huge factor. Of course do your research first to see where you would be comfortable. Locations here vary GREATLY, not only in working conditions but in weather, access to comforts, and cultural challenges. Private Universities are opening up here at an alarming rate and will pay the best. Of course there are good and bad. Public Universities have a lot of the same issues as privates, such as lack of motivated students, inept administration, etc., but pay lower salaries as they are governed by YOK.

[wonshiin]

I haven't seen any postings on ESL Cafe for college jobs. Can you suggest a starting point for a search?

[wander&teach]

You are not likely to find any recruitment adds for University jobs here now. Recruitment time here is in March & April, however elementary & middle schools are always scrambling for native speakers. Listings can be found on all the usual ESL posting sites. If you have boots on the ground in Turkey your chances of being snapped up by either one of them quickly is very good.

Another option for mid year hire is to contact the Universities of your choice and submit your C.V. now as there tends to be quite a bit of turnover mid year. Typically schools here do very little crisis planning and are more reactionary.

[paul2key]

Ankara is an awful place to live - after spending a pleasant year in Izmir. But the job at TOBB ETU is even worse, as the boss is constantly changing promises, including requiring us to spend 10 hours at day at the office - though we were promised right before classes that we could arrive later in the morning if we were assigned late afternoon classes. This place is driving me crazy.

[sixthchild]

ıIknow the city pretty well, where is that place that you speak of my fellow academic?

[Dedicated]

TOBB ETU is the University of Economics and Technology in Ankara.

[url]http:// www.etu.edu.tr[/url]