Job Discussion Forums

turkemy · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

hy everyone..
I work for a state school in Turkiye.I am paid like 1200 american dollars a month but i can't say this is my dream job.I like travelling and i've always wanted to teach internationally but once a teacher starts working for s state school here in TR,it is difficult to resign.
I would like to have this adventure but i am not sure what conditions i am going to have after resignation.
The thing is;i wanna discover the world.I don't wanna get stuck to the place i work and retire.
We have two months of summer vacation here in Tr and it is too long to sit and wait for the new academic year.I feel i have to do something.
It can be an international summer job or something.
What should i do?Should i resign and start seeking international elt jobs?
I would appreciate your advices...thank you all..
by the way i graduated from a reputable university in Turkiye and i studied on elt.
I can say i am quite fluent;actually native like in terms of pronunciation;in english.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:28 am Post subject:

Hi
I think you may have difficulty getting out of the country, plus as you work for the state ,you may have an interesting time applying the logic of the state education system outside of this blessed and green country. Having an extra diploma or two would not do you any harm and may I suggest working in one of the private instituitions in Turkey. It would make you a more rounded teacher and perhaps give you an insight into the market forces that are generated in these places.remember we are dealing with customers here ,not students.
You don't mention how long you have been teaching, or what ( if any ) emotional attachments you have her. Your travel bug is common among teflers, at this stage the only thing you may be considered for would be teaching YOUR native language in amother country.
BTW have you ever travelled outside Turkey?

turkemy · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

YEAP..I have travelled outside Turkey many times..

I have been to ten countries in three continents..I also studied in Prague for one year..

that's why i don't wanna get stuck to the place i work..
I often travel in the vacations..In the kurban vacation i was in egypt and in three days i am going to nederlands..
Unfortunately,What i am looking for is not short visits..I wanna live in a country and work there..In russia for instance..
but the conditions don't seem to be O.K

by the way i was accepted as an english lecturer to one of the private universities in Turkey but the salary they offered me was less than i am paid now;in the satate school.It was 1000 ytl a month Smile

So the best option seems like keeping my job and seeking for summer jobs...

by the way..where do you work in Turkey OTTORMAN OLLie?

Lewis Collins' tortoise · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:16 am Post subject:

It's not easy to get private language school employers to accept someone as a first language speaker. I have a friend who is a first language speaker of English, but who was born in the UK to Turkish parents and employers here have refused to accept them as a native speaker and will only employ them on a second language speaker basis at a much lower wage.
You may be able to get work, but you're unlikely to find employment in the same way a native speaker of any language would.
I don't agree with this.. It's just the way things are and this should be changed, but I don't make the rules..
As far as I'm concerned there are no half teachers etc...You teach, then you are a teacher and should be paid the same.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

I work in a private university in Izmir. I know for a fact that the Turkish teachers here earn a lot more than you do.

turkemy · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

otterman ollie..
i was surprised that u re better paid in a private university in izmir..
cuz as i previously told,i was offered only 1000-1100 ytl to work for a private university in istanbul..
to tell the truth,i am really curious about how much u get Smile

i would be very happy if u told me..
thank u..c ya

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

I list various justifications for not considering you to be equivalent to a native speaker teacher:

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:59 am Post subject:

Can't argue with your comments there F.G.T . Sorry mate she does have a strong point to make. What do you think? Is your written English up to the standard required. Most of the Turkish staff pull in excess of 2000 ytl a month. But I'm not sure what the starting salary is.

shahrezade1001 · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 19

You should apply to the Fulbright program to teach Turkish in a university in the U.S. As a h.s. English teacher you are qualified, though it is a competitive program. Once you have that experience you may have an easier time getting other jobs.

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

Couldn't you teach in a Turkish school abroad? Of course I don't know how well that pays but it would at least enable you to live in another country and you would teach in a school system that is familiar to you.