Job Discussion Forums

ezronamo · Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 12

I had an interview with ETime. They said they would get back to me in a few days that was 3 weeks ago. They offered me 18 tl per hour for very part time work. This and I am fairly inexperienced, having never held down a full time ESl job in a classroom setting. The interviewer told me straight up that last year at this time they would have offered me 25 but that tough economic times have forced them to scale back their wages. The interviewer told me this because she didnt want me to learn that from other teachers and become resentful

Well, I appreciated the honesty at least.

sea.nymph93 · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 1

Hi all -- Just received an offer from English Time with a starting salary of 18 YTL. I was making 20 YTL at my last post, and it seems absurd to take a cut--especially given the facts that I'm experienced, have a uni degree in English and have taught in Istanbul for a year.

So, questions: Is ET a good place to work? How willing are they to negotiate, i.e. does administration tend to be inflexible?

Anyone have a heads-up on other schools that are hiring right now?

Thanks!

Urban_Kitten · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 81

ET has rolled back their "generous" salaries because of the economic crisis although their offices are grossly overstaffed by native "educational advisors". My experience with ET is that they are neither willing to negotiate nor flexible. If your contract says that you will work no more than 35 hours a week, expect to work more.

Having said that, 18 try for a private language school in Turkey is not so awful and better than a lot - I guess it depends which city you live in.

cassie1211 · Joined: 20 May 2009 Posts: 18

I also just had an interview with ET and was offered 18 YTL. Is anyone planning on taking the job for the fall? Does anyone work there now and have any advice?

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:46 am Post subject:

Oh please, you people are working for peanuts!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does the lady who started this thread have anything to say?
Yeah thats you Hilary, comeon, where are you from and have you been persauded to get a REAL job in a REAL school yet?

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

well right now 18 ytl is $12 US. At 25 work hours, thats only $1200/month before taxes. Lets say you net $1000/month. Well with rent at easily $300-500 US youre saving no more than $200 US if you watch every lira and so forth.

So 18 ytl is peanuts as Otterman says.

Now Otterman, if I go to Adana, could I reasonably demand 25 ytl/hour and reasonably get it? What type of establishment would most likely pay that for a BA in English, 1-2 years teaching exp. in Korea, and no cert.? (I also have an unrelated Masters degree)

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:40 am Post subject:

Eclectic, personally I think you are going to get a much better "package" outside the big three cities, plus your money will go further. Not too many people want to venture out of the more westernized ( more civilized) parts of the country and generally the employers are more aware of that and offer more attractive perks. Expect to get accomodation and a midday meal thrown in possibly even a service bus and if you really want to sharpen up your horse-trading skills ,go for a flight ticket as well!

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Well that is a doozy of a deal. I and my wife (how I love to reverse that order) would love to be in Adana away from the western crowds. We're looking for a real doozy of a deal. Authenticated, down-homey, nitty-gritty, grass-roots and Turkish, to say the least. Oh yes, oh yes.

Thx 4 that OttomanAli, the cheering encourager, as I languish in this Plastic Surgery Society here, bombarded by Lollypop and Big Bang gibberish ubiquitously blaring from pre-teen cell phones in the school bus on the way back from class every night.

Oh the down2earth refreshing smell of horse-turds mixed with stuffed eggplant and hookah smoke, and a nice Turkisy dirge on a stringed instrument, etc.

Besides Adana, what outta-da-way place would you also tout? How about Sivas, Erzurum, Van or Diyarbakir? I never saw any mention of those anywhere.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:12 am Post subject:

WOW, folks we got a pioneer here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are over 80 provinces in this much maligned and yet misunderstood country, each one of them has at least one location suitable for tefl teaching, where you can get the real smell of horse turds and a lot less of the bs, good for it, all of the places you mentioned are worth a try at least. You may get a few shocks but the experience will be totally priceless, and you will truly be a star!

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

haha! A star among dung. Can't wait.

I think I'll land in Istanbul since Im flying, but GTF out quick as a lick, see my grampa's birthplace (Bursa) then head out thru Ankara to Sivas (my great gramma's birthplace) then Erzurum, down to Van an d loop back thru Diyarbakir to Adana, then make a decision as to where I liked best.

'Course I woulda missed the southwest and Izmir areas. Very Greek-like I would guess over there. Just a pinch.

tillymd · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 114

Dear Dung Star,

The English Academy in Izmir had a job posting here a couple of weeks ago offering 19-20 ytl. I would imagine Izmir is more expensive than some of the other smaller cities. Looks like a small, friendly school from the pics on the website, but you never know.

Tillymd Very Happy

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Dear Izmir Cheer,

Thx 4 the info. I bet u r right that Izmir is more exp. than less-touristy cities. 19-20 seems normal from what Im readnig tho Otterman thinks its peanuts, which I m sure he is right.

@100 classroom hrs/mo., thats $1000 US. Seems $400 savuings should be doable. Forgive mistypes and flounders, flubs, foolishnesses, Im typing standing up one-handed too whilst eating a burnt cappuccino brownie I just burnt.

blatzisgood · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

I have been to many cities in Turkey. I worked in Adiyaman for 5 months. Lets just say you can find very good schools in Istanbul (not ET) and make a nice salary, with a free private apartment, school meals included with a service to work. You must apply your little heart out but once you find a gig like this, it is sweet Smile

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

well what can you save per month in turkey on average? give a rough range of monthly savings please.

jamessmart50 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 91 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Obviously it depends

Ottoman Ollie's a giant fan of the rest of Turkey, all I can tell you about is Istanbul (and Diyarbakir, but you're unlikely to end up there) .. obviously it depends on wha job you get. If you can get something in the 2500 lira bracket then you'll be able to save something, I think. You can get rent for about 400 lira if you look around, if you steer clear of the very heart of the city, and Istanbul can be pretty cheap if you cook or go to the cheap restaurants. Go for it I reckon!