Job Discussion Forums

pullsofyarn · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Location: MPLS, MN USA

I just got offered a contract with English First in Istanbul. I'm almost positive that I'm going to take it. I was just wondering if anyone out there had anything to say about their reputation.

I just got my CELTA. This will be my first teaching job. I very interested in professional devlopment/support. I get the impression EF is good with that stuff. The pay is 1.2 billion TLA per month (adjusted for inflation 1/2 way through). 22 contact hours. I think it seems like good deal to me. Any advice about this?

Also I'm really into cycling around the city I live in. Is this possible in Istanbul?

Thanks!

calsimsek · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 775 Location: Ist Turkey

Dear Pullsofyarn, I'II make no comment about English Fast I will leave that to others. Thou the rate does sound a bit low to me.
As to the issue of cycling in Ist, well that would seem like a good idea, Rolling Eyes

if you have a death wish and really strong legs.
If you live and work on the Euro side: all hill really hard to ride a bike.
The only place you could ride with some joy would have to be the asian side sea side road ( that has a cycling path) and some parts of the Euro side sea side road around Bakikoy.
Good luck with Ist traffic

firin · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 4

English First Istanbul is a good place to work. I've been there 2 years and I'm very happy. The staff are really friendly and helpful and there's a good bunch of teachers there this year.

Others on this site have damned the owners and quite frankly I don't know where they are coming from. All school owners are out to make money - it's a business. The owners here look after us and stick to the contract. It's a very happy school.

I'm not sure which school you'll be working for as there are 3 in Istanbul - one on the Asian side.

My recommendation - take the job.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:06 pm Post subject:

I am in the Asian EF and I am happy here. You all know who I am out there so feel free to throw rocks or howl and squeal in protest. I understand how things can be around here. Its all about perception and perspective. Remember... I just came in from Kayseri. Very Happy

However, I have been treated well and fairly and respectfully so far and am quite happy with my choice. The books are annoying but we have been encouraged to work with and around them, which has been good for sharpening my kolej-dulled teaching skills.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Yaramaz - Glad to hear things are working out for you.

As a matter of interest, what are the annoying books?

We use Headway for Elementary and Pre-Int.; Cutting Edge at Int and Upper Int. None is perfect, but as a syllabus they are OK. We adapt and supplement as we see fit. Does anyone suggest an alternative?

yaramaz · Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 11:50 am Post subject:

FGT,

The books I referred to are the EF specific series which are a bit... underwhelming. For certain levels anyway-- my pre intermediate class really hates the book and begged me not to use it if possible, but my intro and beginner classes like it.

However, as one must do anyways, we cut and paste and adapt and improvise and use Cutting Edge and New Headway etc etc to supplement the main text. Its just frustrating having a main text that a lot of students find dull, irrelevant and poorly laid out. I have pretty much given up on it and am just taking the main language points for each unit and creating lessons from other sources. Its great for improving my teaching and planning skills so I am not complaining.

pullsofyarn · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Location: MPLS, MN USA

I just wanted to say thanks for the helpful advice. I have taken the job with English First and will be arriving in Istanbul shortly. Does anyone have any advice for someone arriving in two weeks?

Cheers!

duchessnoir · Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 7

I have an interview with EF Istanbul tomorrow. It sounds like they are a good place to work for, but I would like to hear how it's going for you p.o.y. did they help you with accomodations?