Job Discussion Forums

readdave · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 8

Hello,

I am well on my way towards signing a contract with ISTEK foundations (private schools) to teach English in Istanbul. I have a few questions I am hoping someone can help with:

1) How much freedom over lesson planning and curriculum do you have in private schools? Would I be able to choose my own novels?

2) Do schools have problems with you travelling on weekends and holidays?

3) What is the dress code for male teachers? I wear a lot of collared short sleeve shirts and "polos".

4) What type of health insurance is usually provided?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

mongrelcat · Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 232

ha ha ha hhahahahahahah

i cant even speak....

sir, send me a PM if you wish to know the secret agent truth.

Rolling Eyes

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

Are there any schools in Turkey that have a problem with their teachers travelling on weekends and holidays?

And are there actually any schools that provide health insurance?

As for choosing your own novels, I should imagine that aside from porn mags, you're pretty much free to read what you like behind your desk while your students are busy wrestling each other to the ground ... just don't let the admin see ..

readdave · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 8

It would be nice to have my questions answered sincerely rather than mockingly. This is a big decision for me and I would like the facts if possible. Thanks for your replies.

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

readdave, forgive them. If you teach here too long, it makes you a cynic. I'm well on my way too, but trying to resist it (perhaps in vain). Why don't you do a search on the forum first? There's been a lot of talk about private schools recently and you can pick up a lot from that. If you have more questions, post again. Those who can will help on this forum, it's just a bit tiring answering the same Qs again and again. Actually, I've never taught in a private school. I could repeat hearsay but you might aswell read it from the horse's mouth.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Readdave, unless we work at ISTEK we cant answer your questions. However, there should be no problem what you get up to weekends and dress code? Personally, I think if you want to be seen as a professional then dress like one.

If you decide to come then welcome aboard.

Golightly

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

Perhaps .. readdave .. you should have stipulated in your original post that you wanted only replies of an encyclopedic nature from staff currently working at ISTEK ... instead of stating that any help would be appreciated ...

Mongrelcat offered her services via PM as she has direct experience of the place ... how mocking is that ...

And if you couldn't find any sincere answers to your questions in my post, then re-read readdave re-read ...

yaramaz · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:59 am Post subject:

For the record, as of the new september contract term, all EF teachers will be getting a massive payrise, full private health coverage, and what is shaping up to be 4 days weeks with a likelihood of weekends off because they're shifting their focus towards corporate/MBA stuff. I don't know all the details but I had a long discussion with the owners the other day (because they wanted to know my plans) and these are the things that came up. They want the salaries to be on par with the universities. Holidays will be increased and paid sick days are the norm already.

Not every language school is an hourly rate haven for backpackers.

BTW, the OP was talking about ISTEK, which is a kolej, so talking about dersane stuff isn't relevant and I apologise for the mini hijacking. Just wanted to say that all isnt futile.

readdave · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 8

I apologize if I came off as being rude. I am just very serious about looking into this position and simply stating sarcastic and negative comments with no background is not helpful.

3 of my close friends and I are all looking at ISTEK and are very excited about the possibility of teaching there. Am I to take it from some of these posts that:

1) All Turkish students are "hellions"
2) Private schools are "hell"
3) There is no such thing as health insurance in Turkey

I am looking at teaching at ISTEK for 1 year with 3 people I truly enjoy. Are the drawbacks of a private school in Istanbul enough to say "don't go"?

yaramaz · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject:

Of course there is health insurance. See my post directly above yours.

And no the kids aren't all hellions. I taught some lovely and amazing kids, who were able to stand out from the mass of hyperactive, boundaryless, bored kids who make up a majority in the private schools. It isn't that bad if you know what you are getting yourself into. You just need to adjust your expectations and approach. That said, after 2 years in a kolej and a year in university prep, I ain't never going back down that road again. It's too draining for me (I don't really like kids en masse)

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

yaramaz · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

Okay...can you tell us? I'm curious 'cos I'm thinking about the autumn.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject:

I can't say anything right now because it hasn't actually been announced to all the current staff yet. They're having some sort of big meeting about it tomorrow. Basically, the starting pay will be about what I'm getting now (after 6 years) plus a big housing allowance (enough to pay 75%-100% of your solo flat rent with, depending on where you live). That's for brand new post Celtas. The rates for more experienced and senior teachers are about 200-400 ytl more than I got at Bilgi (including Bilgi's housing allowance).

Plus private health insurance and ikamets (mind you, I got mine processed by them already so that's not a new development on their part).