Job Discussion Forums

Englishteach · Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 33

Hello.. does anyone have any information to share about Akdeniz University such as:
Working conditions,
Are they hiring,
Student profile,
Prep program/language program,

I am very interested in living and working in that region after being in Istanbul for quite a while.

Thanks in advance for any help and information... Smile

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

I have just secondhand info for the Intl Uni but I do know that they employed the ESL teachers months ago. There's always the chance that there will be a no-show of course
There's a rumour that they are having financial problems, which is probably why the expensive foreign-hire teachers have left and have been replaced by local hire
I did hear that they worked 3 days a week, but that, too, may have changed
Sorry this isn't very encouraging Neutral

Englishteach · Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 33

Thanks for the info.. does not sound too promising.. Smile

Englishteach · Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 33

Is there really no other information about working in Antalya?

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Where do you want to work?
As far as I know, all the K-12s have their teachers for the year
Still have no new info about the uni and I have no info about language schools

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

Working at Akdeniz, I can only warn other foreigners...all languages (German/Russian/Spanish)...NOT to work here. The admin recently called all foreign teachers in to tell them that if they weren't happy, they could find other jobs. The admin is malign and anti-yabanci. All communication is in Turkish and you never get paid what your contract says you will. No support and some teachers start classes at 0830 and finish at 1930. Oh! Foreigners do not get pay rises given to Turkish staff despite having the same contracts.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Dear Nebbich
I'm really sorry to hear that you are having such an awful time, but your experiences unfortunately confirm the rumours about working there
Off to pastures new?

Englishteach · Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 33

wow.. that bubble has been burst.. Thanks for the warning. It is very sad to learn about a university acting like a language center in their efforts to abuse foreigners. The admin there sounds like they must really be dealing with inferior complexes because if the foreigners were not qualified, why would they hire them? Strange situation. Thanks again for the information and "heads up" about that source of nightmares and language center pretending to be a university. Rolling Eyes

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

Well, not planning to stay on. I wrote to the Rector over 2 months ago and have yet to even receive an acknowledgment. Have now written to YOK...that might put the cat amongst the pigeons as we are asked to teach MEB and OYP classes (against rules?).
Had stand up fights with the co-ordinator and the HR dept tells me that I am hated. Can't imagine staying.
The pity is the good students and nice campus.
Any suggestions welcomed.

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Are you saying that the local staff were paid more than you?
How did the amount you were paid not correspond to the amount on the contract? Did you not have a fixed monthly salary?

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

Some sort of fiddle where the tax is front loaded and then the amount changes. This means that the pay quoted at interview is about 1000 lira less than what you actually receive. Turkish teachers get overtime and bonus payments (up to TL 10 000 for 'projects' and MEB & OYP) that are not open to foreigners.
Plus, as said, Turkish teachers had a pay rise in Nov. '14 which was NOT given to foreigners, despite having the same basic contracts...we were told to ask YOK (I have) and that if we didn't like it, we could go.

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I think the point to make is that in this case foreign teachers were getting less nett than the locals.

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

UPDATE:

A letter to YOK has started an investigation here and spread panic amongst the admin.

I will update when the results come in. It may change people's minds about coming here.

nichtta · Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 110 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

Thanks for the support!

I've often thought we should set up some sort of website/union to pool info and advise newbies. I had the gift of a girlfriend who is |a Labour lawyer...so, I learnt a lot about the law here.

Yes, people DO need to stand up for themselves. However, the poor quality of many of our colleagues undermines those of us who are professional.