Job Discussion Forums

[dawnbuckley]

Hi,
I am cheating a bit asking 3 things but here goes:
I have been looking at teaching in Japan but I just got random call from Berlitz in Istanbul offering me a minimum of YTL 1360, 00 .I don`t really know anything about about working in Turkey (i`m sure that comes across!) but is the a decent salary, average or bad?
Is it possible to save anything in Turkey?
Finally, have heard of Berlitz, what are they like to work for in Istanbul? I have checked out some threads and they sound like a nightmare from what I have read so far. Does anyone have anything positive to report?

Thanks!

Dawn

[spiral78]

Chain/franchise schools can vary wildly in terms of working environment, and I don't live in Turkey, so I can just offer one lsmall 'positive' for Berlitz in general: little-no preparation time. You basically just show up and turn to the correct page...

I'm not a personal fan of drooling-dog methods ('behaviorist-based approach' is the more formal terminology), but I've had a couple of friends who were essentially satisfied to work for Berlitz because it does quickly become something of a no-brainer.

Berlitz is considered relatively reputable by many corporations who sponsor language lessons for their staff, simply because the name is big, the school's unlikely to go under, and payments made to Berlitz look reputable come tax time.

[Nmarie]

Even during 2003-2004, the year I worked in Istanbul, YTL 1360.00 could hardly have been considered a viable salary (especially if paying for housing). I'm sure current teachers living there will be able to comment on the rise of prices and salaries since then.

Yes, you can save in Turkey, but not on that salary.

[mongrelcat]

[ghost]

The basic pay is $1162 u.s per month for 20 forty minute lessons per week.

The housing is free, but you pay the bills. Berlitz pick you up from the airport, and you get the training course over the next 2 weeks, and then gradually get into the teaching.

Berlitz advises newbies to come with around $1000 to tide them over until first pay cheque.

The advantage of Berlitz is that you have little preparation - you are just expected to turn up 30 minutes ahead of the first class. Benefit number 2 is that if you do well at Berlitz, then you are eligible to teach at any of the other schools throughout the world, and there are hundreds of Berlitz schools.

You will teach mainly corporates, at their location or Berlitz in small groups. Discount for Turkish or any other languages you may wish to learn.

Berlitz pays some of your travel expenses, and you get 2 weeks annual leave. Hours are usually split, with 8-10am, and then 6-9.30pm, or similar, including Saturdays. At least one full day off a week.

Despite the naysayers, Berlitz still has a certain prestige which may open doors.

Ghost in Korea (www.gifle.go.kr)