Job Discussion Forums

[Rabbinical]

First off, I'd like to say hi, since I'm new to the forum. I'm a newbie at the whole EFL thing, and I've found all the postings here very helpful. As of now, I'm planning to make my way over to Istanbul at the end of Sept. to find a job (if I haven't found anything good beforehand).

Does anyone know anything about the KELKIT AYDIN DOĞAN VOCATIONAL SCHOOL? It's 4 months at Kelkit Uni and 4 months at Kapadokya Uni. Pay is decent and free accom., but I don't know if it's really worthwhile.

[lovelace]

I know someone who worked in Kelkit for a while and they said it was dull and the students were unruly and uncooperative - he was really glad to get out. But that was for 9 months, you could probably make it through four more easily and if it pays decently, why not?

[izzyismydog]

did you go? I am curious about what's going on there since our friend left this past year.

if you searched the forums you would find out how bad it was. my husband and I did a runner last year as had teachers prior and post.

they were not only a crappy school but they ripped us off in our salary.

[Rabbinical]

Yes, I did go, and I'm still here. None of our teachers have made a run for it yet, especially since we just returned from a 7 week paid holiday, basically due to the school and EF (outsourced by the school as their English dept) screwing up the dates of our contracts, etc., and scheduled holidays for the University.
From an English teaching perspective, the classes are too big (20-25 students), our resources are crap, and the students are horrible. I know Turkish students tend to suck in general, but they're particularly: 1) really sub-par in intelligence; 2) never in class and never study (although this is an English prep year, and they have nothing else to do but English); and 3) horribly behaved. But the hours aren't too bad, and we have a lot of freedom in what we do as teachers.
If you like really conservative, traditional Turkey in the middle of nowhere, then Kelkit's not that bad... I happen to be OK with it. There's nothing much to do, but it's quiet and has nice scenery. There's one good pub, with a nice atmosphere (and 3ytl beer). The cost of living is very minimal, especially with no rent, so you can save a lot. I can't imagine staying here more than a year, but for now it's OK.
The DOS who represented EF here and in a new upstart program in Kapadokya (to which we teachers were supposed to be transferred after Jan., but subsequently haven't, and were supposedly never intended to in the first place) was basically a huge liar and incompetant loser who preferred opening cafes in small towns over doing his job. He was recently fired, which is good, but now other undeserving people are having to take up the slack. You know, standard TEFL stuff...

[izzyismydog]

I am feeling nostalgic after eating Vishne jam on my toast this morning. Anyody out there? Is the Uni even still in existance?