Job Discussion Forums

[fungus the bogeyman]

Nice to see a newbie asking all the right questions.

I have had experience of a school like the one you are describing and everything you are asking about does happen. Contracts in English, hidden away in the managers office, no copies allowed etc.

Generally not a problem as in theory the school I worked for kept to them more or less. But they can and will used them if they have an axe to grind - or indeed ignore breaches of them if again that is the best thing at the time. This results in inconsistency in the way staff are treated which doesn't lead to the best teachers' room atmosphere I can tell you.

As for work permits - can take up to six months to receive a new one or indeed renew an old one. Or if your services are desperately required and you dont have the necessary qualifications they may even overlook the need at all.

[thrifty]

''may'' overlook?

[thrifty]

[molly farquharson]

I think bottom-feeder is insulting, as it is meant to be. however, it is insulting to the people who teach there and it is insulting to the students. language schools, like universities, are businesses, but they cater to different people. language schools are sort of like community colleges, in that their students come from a wide base. i agree that the salaries are too low in most language schools. They are too low in many of the univ hazirliks too. However, many people still choose to teach in these places and most of them like it. Everyone complains about his or her job some of the time, but the griping reaches disturbing levels sometimes.

[dmb]

[thrifty]

Do community colleges:

pay no sick pay for full time employees?
pay no holiday pay for full time employees?
employ full time workers illegally?
pay hourly rates for full time employees?
employ foreigners with no work permits?
not pay earned bonuses?
evict people from flats on the spot?
withhold pay?
not pay social security?

I agree with dmb and when people say to me:

''Thrifty, why do you work here when you could get a better job with your qualifications and experience?'' I always say ''because of the students.''

[billybuzz]

Gosh Thrifty,you really work in one of those places and take all that s/it that they throw at you because of the students ,well ,blow me down whatever next ? That sounds like total bollox mate .

[thrifty]

Of course it is total bollox.

[Otterman Ollie]

thrifty,could you explain,define "community" colleges?

[bdo]

In order for your school to apply for a work permit they will have to present a standard Education Ministry contract. In my primary school I sign the same contract as my Turkish colleagues (other English teachers, Science teachers, etc), since employment at any type of educational establishment is under the control of the Ministry of EducationYou may have signed an agreement between you and your school but I do not believe that your school can use this contract to make a work permit application.

[whynotme]

[Sally Vaite]

Still, if this is the case, then how does the "offical" document get the new teacher's signature on it? From what I heard, there was only one contract to sign and that was the "imaginary" one that the manager had? So what did he use for the work permit application.
All very mysterious.

[thrifty]

[corall]

[Henry_Cowell]

"thrifty" could be living the easy life right now if only he had had the wisdom to take a community college job. He has all the right quals and could thus be earning US$70,000 -- and more -- by now, with all the benefits, perks, and bonuses. And he could be my neighbor part of the year!!