Job Discussion Forums

dan · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

anyone know anything about this university they'd care to share?

also: how about ankara? decent place to live and work for a year or so?

thanks, dan

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Ankara sucks. I was there last weekend and was reminded why I thought this. Bilkent is miles out of town.

It's one of those places that you either hate or love.

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Judging from the number of Bilkenters out here, it's also a place that people use as a type of MA way-station ... Bilkent apparently offer good support for teachers interested in such pursuits ..

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

Steer clear. As the Sheikh says it would be great if you were really into TEFL and using it as a stepping stone to something else, although there really isn`t anything else in TEFL. But of course you have to get all the qualifications and experience before you finally realise that. Stay clear of Bilkent prep-stay clear of all prep to be honest.

dan · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

well, i am an ESL professional (or rather, if I am professional in anything, i guess it is this...). I have an MA in TESOL and five years teaching experience at an American university. Im also getting older (and increasingly lazy), so Im probably going to be an ESL teacher for the rest of my days.

does this information change either of your responses to my initial inquiry about bilkent?

Id also like to hear some impressions about Ankara.

dan · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

also: what do you mean by "prep"?

also also: they want me to teach critical thinking and academic writing classes, not ESL in the beginner/intermediate/advanced sense--is this what you meant by "prep"? skills and drills stuff?

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

By prep I meant intensive English or freshman English.

I think you could do ok if you had another reason for being in Turkey. I recently saw the DELTA trainer job and was curious because my wife is Turkish and hence have a reason to be in Turkey. I think that the money is ok if you plan to be in Turkey for ever but if you are planning to save then no. Turkey is not cheap.

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

What are they offering you and what do they want from you?

I've never been to Ankara and that's not because circumstances have prevented me ... I daresay I'll pay it a visit one day while passing through ... though it's not on my must-see list ...

Many describe it as Istanbul without the Bosphorous or Ottoman architecture ...

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

Hehe. Teaching critical thinking in Turkey...