Job Discussion Forums

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:51 am Post subject:

Is this mysterious intangable item we call professionalism just missing from the "language" schools or is it rare to find anywhere? I see that while WE are expected to display this quality it seems to the casual observer that there is a definite lack of reply from the administration and others on this issue .
We are treated with general indifference on so many points and all too frequently we are remembered for our minor mistakes rather than our major achievements .

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

TeachEnglish is right. The onus is on the organisation to raise standards and hire good people - and you only get and keep good people by giving them stuff! Money is a factor but actually these schools are crazy because what they don't understand is that good teachers will work for less than the top wage if they feel respected and valued. That's right from showing a basic level of respect such as providing toilet paper (!!! I can't believe I once worked in a school that refused to refill the toilet paper, more fool me) to offering training and professional development. And I'm stretching the meaning of 'giving' to include not taking away, not fleecing people on bonuses, or withholding some of their meal tickets because they were on holiday for a week of that month.

I think part of the reason there are some really poor quality schools in Istanbul is the people running them don't have any expertise or sometimes even interest in education. Okay, they're not charities, they want to make money, but they can do that by learning from the people who know. Arrogance or wilful ignorance is endemic among school bosses here. High expectations coupled with high standards will do it.

Of course I'm preaching to the converted...but my spleen has been vented. Thanks.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

At the end of the day EFL is a business and what is important in business is profit. If the owners can get away with cutting corners they will. Simple economics- there is a demand for English and there is a readily available supply.... backpackers

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Don't you think that they would make more money if they didn't cut corners?

If they offered decent pay and benefits they would have decent teachers and students beating a path to their door. They wouldn't need to advertise and they wouldn't lose teachers and students by the drove. The bucket shop is advertising for 50 new teachers. Methinks that is not because they are expanding.

On the other hand in "Fast Food Nation" they give a great quote from a Senate inquiry into the meatpacking industry where an exectutive from one of the biggest meatpackers says something like this:

We have never seen a correlation between profit and offering good pay and benefits to our workers. The meatpacking business employs transients and illegal workers and offers low pay and benefits and even benefits like holidays are only available to those in their second year of employment. High turnover equals low costs-same same TEFL.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

What was his school called?

Another problem is that so many of the customers are so naive. They are easily conned by glossy brochures and advertising vans. Also ludicrous guarantees and 3 for 2 deals.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I can't remember. It was somewhere in Besiktas.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Getting up at 4am-impossible after a skinful the night before. No mobile catering is the way to go.

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

Maybe you should rethink the mobile catering idea, with a multi-lingual delivery service at 1.5ytl you'll be hard pressed to beat that! By the way, how much do you charge for cod and chips twice, delivered to Izmir? I just might be tempted! Do you have malt vinegar on the chips? How about a battered sausage?

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Is that halal sausage?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

No punters, my chip van will be in the UK. Strictly aimed at those leaving the pubs-that way they will wolf down the barely legal burgers and grease. Impossible to compete in Turkey with the prices not to mention decent food. UK is the place to go with its drinkers and low expectations.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

Hey, keep your chipolatas off this thread! (Please)

Shaytess · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Berlin

Have heard from friends who are working there that British Side is an extremely professional place to work. Granted, they don't hire tourists with no experience, but for those who are qualified, the pay sounds fantastic and my friends absolutely love the management.