Job Discussion Forums

TeachEnglish · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 239

I don't understand (well really I do) why the Turks want to be part of a group that does not want them.. and at the same time.. demonstrate so much animosity and hate towards the Americans.. the only group that wants them..wants to have a relationship with them.. Yeah.. there are some misunderstandings between the Americans and Turks.. but for the most part.. the American government wants a relationship with Turkey..and it could be very economically beneficial for Turkey in the way of trade and tourism.. I think in these times of economical and military super powers.. Turkey could really be the super power in this area by working with the Americans a little bit more.. and using this relationship for its own best interest.. Forget the EU.. just a bunch of ninnies that want to be a strong group to out muscle the Americans.. It ain't gonna happen.. and don't give me this crap about Americans, Iraq and oil.. the oil leaves Iraq and goes through Turkey.. Shocked

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I have worked at one of the better universities. In my current position I earn more or less the same as friends at universities. I have alot more free time(being fundamentally lazy this is a plus) My current position is involved in in-company business English and tailor made programs for 1-1 students. Until last year I had never been much involved in this side of teaching and so thought it could be interesting. After a while in EFL I think you have to try out as many different fields as possible. Variety is the spice of life and all that. The only teaching that I have not fully enjoyed is teaching security guards and trainees on a petro chemical industrial plant (it did have its moments though) Ok 31, your turn

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Variety is the spice of life you say but TEFL is the same dead end game. I too have worked in a private university, summer courses, language schools, in company teaching, private lessons, industrial/vocational training centre but they all of a muchness.

Not fully enjoyed-You mentioned that to work for QAC you had to keep your head down and not complain. BTW they now have 2 Turkish housewives with pre-int level English working for them as well as a Croat who has just done his CELTA. There is a rumour that they will lose one or more of their contracts and that a new co. may be taking over. So 2500 dollars may become just 2000.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul

I'm an okutman too! I thought it just meant you were either more cool or less cool than a teacher. In English, instructor is less cool....

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

Why are we all still into where 31 worked or not. I'm over it myself. At the start when he went around talking about the students he slept with I thought he was a joke. Still think its wrong to sleep around with students, (thou more than one of us has married their student) anyhow, I don't know who 31 is, any more than I know dmb or whynotme. Yet I feel that I must have meet him and others around the city at some time or other. He is a fixture in this trade and city, as are all of us who have turned Istanbul into home rather than an experiance.
He gets my back up at times but then again he's been here for a while knows the score.
So pull back the fangs 31.

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

my turn. 31 does not work for ET. I suspect he does not even live in istanbul, as he has been posting on other country forums too. Except for me, he does not know where most other posters work or live either-- as I don't. I think everyone is pretty sick of the bitterness expressed here by this one poster. My feeling is, if TEFL is such a bad place for you, get out of it. a lot of people enjoy it, enjoy where they work, and make the best of it. Every single job has its drawbacks but I personally think that the world of TEFL is pretty cool and I am quite happy to be in TEFL, at English Time, and in Istanbul.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

crumpy · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Istanbul

Actually, I really appreciate 31's contributions to this forum. I've just read his comments about living in Turkey on the thread 'Safety' ... and I found them incredibly funny ... what's more, maybe his negativity is rubbing off on me, but I could relate to so much of what he wrote ... yeah, why do they always take your glass away when there's still a drop of beer left in it ... yeah, why are there no egg cartons in the bakkals :-)). If he doesn't live in Turkey, then his astute observations clearly indicate that he knows the country very well. I know he upsets people :-(( , but this certainly spices up the forum. Devam etsin!

crumpy · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Istanbul

Thanks for your advice Entrailicus :-)) However, I love this country too much to leave it. That said, I still find it funny, when someone like 31 points out some of the local idiosyncracies ... just as used to find it hysterical listening to Ben Elton doing stand-up.

BTW, my wife often sends me to the bakkal for eggs ... and yes, before now, I have broken one of the eggs whilst trying to put it into the little plastic bag. But, I suppose less packaging means less harm to the environment.

Have a great weekend :-))

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

And there was me thinking 31 had got a hang of the quote function Rolling Eyes

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

I told you before that I just do what I have always been doing but for a while the quote function was working perfectly but all of a sudden it has gone back to the way it was.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

31, a computer only does what you tell it do.