Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Yaramaz is right about Yabanci teachers having trouble giving instructions to the class in English. Most of the students just switch off and don't listen. At least this is my experience in the Primary section of my Koleji.

Even using the tapes that go along with the books is a waste of time because the kids won't listen. For 4th grades we are using the Project 1 student book with a work book as well. For the 5th grades we are using the Picture Dictionary student book with an activity book and tapes.

The only thing I can do to a reasonable level is getting them to complete the workbooks or selected work sheets related to the lessons. Testing them orally in class on an individual basis is a waste of time because you always have students talking over the one being listened to by the teacher.

I have taught in Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Brazil among other places and never have I witnessed such appalling classroom behaviour as that which is in evidence in Turkey in Private schools Primary sections.

[daveryan]

With reference to the last post by Ghost, I am somewhat alarmed to hear that all of my perfectly laid plans are scuppered at a stroke. I was under the impression from earlier threads that although a B.Ed or B.A. in English was neccessary for formal recognition as a teacher, a B.A. in another subject and a TEFL certificate were sufficient to gain employment as a 'laboratory teacher', as I recall Yaramaz described it. I also understood that a TEFL and or B.A., was sufficient for employment in a language school.

Given the significance of the information that you have shared (Ghost), I would be grateful if you could provide me with a little more detail with regard to your sources either though further post or e-mail [email protected]

If anyone else can clarify the situation please do so asap.

Ta

[FGT]

A reputable school will pay your SSK (something like NHS in UK) contributions but this only entitles you to health care in a state hospital which is not, perhaps, what your mother would wish. Private health insurance is affordable here, or international policies are probably valid in most hospitals. Private hospitals are acceptable/good by international standards.
In order to legally work and live here you need to jump through a variety of hoops. The ministry of education dictates that all teachers in the school system should have graduated in either English or teaching and have CELTA or equivalent. You need to apply for a work permit from your country of origin, usually this follows a job offer as the contract provides the reason to work in Turkey. Following that, once you arrive here and commence work, the school will usually help, and should pay for, you to obtain a residence permit. This is not difficult to get but (speaking from experience) having someone else in the queue instead of you is definitely preferable.

[yaramaz]

I only have a BA and 3 month TEFL and have a work permit. I'm fully legal, with basic medical et al. Ghost, are the rules only applying to your school or??? This is the first I've heard of the B. Ed only rule...

[ghost]

The place I teach in does everything by the book and they will only employ people who have formal teaching qualifications in their home countries.

Perhaps other places are willing to take the risk of employing teachers who do not meet the new guidelines set by the Ministry of Education.

One has to take into account, however, that demand for teachers exceeds supply, so that is why some schools use the loophole of employing Laboratory Assistants who do not need the B.Ed. or post graduate one year certificate in teaching minimum.

Also the Ministry of Education guy does not always recognise what is the 'right qualification' because he is not able to differentiate between the large number of Certificates and Diplomas floating around. How do I know this? Because I was actually sent to the guy who does all the foreign (yabanci) permits in Ankara and I gained access to his office which was an Ali Baba's cave filled with Yabanci work papers waiting to be processed. He fished mine out from the middle of a pile, thanks to a letter I had from my school. But there was no problem because I am actually a trained teacher from Canada (Junior/Intermediate and F.S.L.).

The Dutch teacher at our school who is a trained Psychologist has had her work papers rejected because she was missing the formal qualifications. This despite the fact that she has been teaching in Turkey for several years and is married to a Turk.

[daveryan]

Fortunately I received a very helpful e-mail yesterday that completely clarified the position regarding the qualifications required for teaching in Turkey, vague as that may be.

I remain as ever, grateful, for genuine advice and information.

Cheers

[RoseMarie]

Well, what did the email say?
Fill us in.