Job Discussion Forums

[matthew156]

Well reading all the remarks on English Time -Istanbul I was not surprised because I used to work in the Ankara branch. One thing I found particularly annoying was the recall of all the podiums in the classes and then being replaced with a phalic logo of ET as your podium, as if you really need to advertise there. There was not any room on them and besides if you stood behind it and put your books on the tiny space provided, one would have to peek around Big Ben to see the class. Looks like another example of poor design. I don't think they made a prototype and tested it in a classroom, an executive decision was made without consulting any teachers and all the classes were refitted with these monstrosities.

My branch manager didn't speak a word of English and the head teacher's requirement for getting a job there was that they knew some Turkish. Communication with the branch manager was through a translater if you didn't know Turkish.

Matt

[Cjelli]

Hi Matthew,

Short of that though - if you had decent Turkish, would it be worth getting a job there?

[big3bc]

It always amazes me at the things people carp about. What other complaints do you have? You didn't like the toilet paper color? The water dispenser was too far away from the teacher's room?
No complaints about your salary? Probably because it is better than any other hourly salary in Ankara? If you don't like the podiums then work at one of the many other language schools in Kizilay. I'm sure they will have rostrums more suited to your taste.

[matthew156]

i DON'T like your tone. That's what I don't like, so f**k ***

[matthew156]

I think I was much too easy on my previous comment. I'm sorry you won't be able to get off that easy.

As for what ever else I DON'T like about when I used to work at English Time Ankara I have much more to say. The manager there is a country bumpkin that threatens people with physical violence not to mention the use of firearms. Working in an environment where we are churning out students irrespective of their true competence in their language acquistion is ethically wrong and I don't see the point in ME staying there if it's going to be a problem mentally and possibly to my physical well being.

Matt

[matthew156]

I have the option of working at English Time if I want but I choose not to work there and I really don't need the money. I own my own house in Ankara, so I don't have to pay rent and my new job is very close to the dolmus stop so I don't need a car either.

[matthew156]

Hi Matt

Hope you don't mind a pm, it's just that I saw that you work in Ankara and wanted to ask for your advice. I'm thinking of moving to Ankara in a few months and was wondering if you're seeing the demand for qualified teachers (ie. CELTA) decreasing due to the economic crisis?

Any further advice you may have would be much appreciated.

With Kind Regards
Jason

Hi Jason this is for your question about the economic situation in Turkey, more specifically in Ankara. I am a dual citizen and hold both Canadian citizenship and am a Turkish national. My life has been spent in Canada for over 40 years and I've returned to Turkey in hopes of helping my other nationals in acuiring the English language, not ripping them off their hard earned money especially in this economic crisis.

Demand for qualified CELTA holders is always needed here as it is everywhere. I have a TESL and a TEIL (Teaching English as an International Language--from York University) and can find employment with just my TEIL certificate. As for the effect of the this crisis; I have experienced it in a previous job (not ET Ankara-those *beep*). When it came time for my contract renewal they asked me if I wanted to stay part time at a lower salary and I turned it down went down the street and found a job immediately. This language school was downsizing reducing the number of classes and staff and I chose to leave because I felt it was sinking.

In my current job I noticed the reorganizing of courses from three levels per course to two levels. For example instead of intermediate levels 1,2,3 it is now only levels 1 and 2. More work for us but the students pay less per level towards course completion.

Other than that there is stiff competition between the numerous amounts of language schools here in Ankara and if you want to try your luck at English Time-Ankara be my guest. Our running joke at work is "if you don't like it here you can always go to English Time". There is so much I can say about the place (ET-Ankara) but I feel I have said enough and have stepped on toes of people possibly working there or have friends working there. When I was there the men were comming to socialize with women and speak Turkish in class in the canteen and in the hallways. Some rich Turks with money to burn go there because they're bored but the eager language learner is lost in the (huge) cracks and you can only help these students in your own time because during class you have to preach that stupid course book they call a language book.

I can go on but I will spare you all the agony which is enough for one person to suffer and not to be shared so that we can all experience the trechery and injustice.

Matt

[Cjelli]

Thanks Matt: sorry if you thought I was being provocative but it was a genuine question. If you don't mind me following up, are there any language schools in Ankara you would recommend?

[big3bc]

Judging by how easily I angered you, you obviously have problems other than those presented by the evil podium.

[flutterbayou]

Any employer who exploits its employees with overwork and incessant demands to advertise the establishment by making personal appearances on holidays will, eventually, perpetuate bitterness. It is unfair to dangle the carrot of "good" pay, because to put in simple words, teachers simply do not make good pay in Turkey. Turkey is expensive, and the work ethic is, "If you pay someone fairly well, be sure to get whatever you can out of the laborer..." and in Turkey, teachers are worked to death.

Managers have been known to intimidate their teachers to work harder, using the hourly rate as impetus to get more for the value. Not nice, people.


During my tenure with "any" Turkish language school, I witnessed very nice people taking nose-dives in attitude, due to the conflicts they had with local management and due to the political falsehoods instigated by the head teacher in Ankara. I witnessed the worst of political machinations of this branch, but refrain from leaking out any trade secret issues covered under the contract.

The poster who's remarked about bad management is being courteous. Promotions such as podiums are frivolous demonstrations that are used to induce "team spirit" but lack common sense - last summer, the school placed bicycles in lobbies for promotions instead of supplying fans and air conditioning needed in classrooms.

There is a back-biting attitude throughout the "any language school" chain of command, where leaks in trust trickle down from top management, through the ranks of educational direction which claims to have no control over mistreatment of teachers, to the grunts - excuse me - the teachers, who have no recourse.

The poster who constantly defends any particular language school does so because he likes his boss to know when he's posted a goody two-shoes comment.

[matthew156]

[matthew156]

[matthew156]

[big3bc]

First of all, please don't be angry with me, Mr. Matthew. Knowing that I have upset you so really hurts me, but not so much that I can't print your name.
Second of all, I was the first head teacher at Ankara 2 1/2 years ago. We had problems, and I'm sure some of them still exist today. However, they are no longer any of my business, and if you don't work there or have never worked there, they shouldn't be any of your business either.
To the poster who claims I am defending the school to get brownie points with the General Manager, your statements are ludicrous. He could care less about frivolous comments made at this site. After working next door to me for several months, you should know better than to say something like that. I don't kow tow to anyone. Shame on you.

[matthew156]

to: big3bc

OK we're square. I am now retracting from nuclear meltdown. Yes I used to work there. The manager can't read English so it don't really matter.

Matt