Job Discussion Forums

becstar · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

I have been offered a job by Leeds Language Academy in Bursa for 2000 tl a month, no flight, no accomodations provided.

I haven't had an interview, and I wasn't given a contract. The contact I've been dealing with said we don't sign the contract until we get there.

Is this common practice?

When I asked about the visa application process, he said that we start on a tourist application and when we sign the contract the school will get a work visa for us.

This will be my first teaching job overseas, and the last thing I want is to be scammed.

Any advice? Is anyone else working for Leeds?

becstar · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

The contact has since sent me a contract when I asked.

TeachEnglish · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 239

From what I understand.. and have experienced here.. a contract really does not mean anything.. it is just a formality.. but one is important if they really will get a work visa for you.. Many of these places play a con game about the contract..and visa.. and sometimes they just say it is taking forever ..and in reality.. they don't plan to get you a work visa because that would mean they have to pay taxes for you.. and many don't..
If they are not providing you some accomodation..or atleast some help in securing a place to live.. that would make me wonder because it seems standard if they are recruiting you from outside the country that they offer some assistance with a place to stay.. and sometimes flight assistance.
2000 turkish lira in Bursa might be a very good salary... but you might be working your butt off to get that.. Good luck..

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

2 b honest and frank, something we all know deep down but dont want to face:

a contract is a PIECE OF WOOD PULP with figures OF INK IMBEDDED.

Now try taking a Turk or an Arab or a Korean to court in HIS OWN LAND and try learning the language well enough to do so, because you dont know the laws in their land and what a "contract" means or what can be done, if anything, about not living up to one of those WOOD PULP sheets.

When you go abroad, into an unknown land with an unknown language and unknown laws, trusting unknown people, you are taking a chance that it all can be a crock of donkey doo.

Its the luck of the draw.

tarte tatin · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Location: Istanbul

I have never had a work contract (despite my last school promising to get one, indeed some teachers did get them). As for schools paying tax, I read in Time Out magazine last spring in an article written by an English teacher that English teachers in Turkey are exempt from tax. Does anyone know if this is really true?

tillymd · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 114

Dear Tarte Tatin,

Have you had any problems working without a contract? Does this mean you have never had a work visa? What kind of visa do you have?

Thanks, Tillymd

tarte tatin · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Location: Istanbul

I have not had a problem working without a permit. However, that is not to say that problems cannot arise.

I have a residence visa (my husband is Turkish) but I think working on a tourist visa is more risky. If schools are busted the tourist visa teachers are usually deported.

My previous school used to take teachers to the emniyet for their residence visas and often work permits were not forthcoming afterwards. My guess is that money changed hands in time-honored Turkish tradition.

If you are illegally employed, you have no legal leg to stand on when the contract is not honored. At my last school, the number of work permits dropped considerably during a time when the owners broke the contract over several issues. The contract is really not worth the paper it is written on in most cases anyway.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

screw contracts, work on the merit system!

tillymd · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 114

Dear Tarte Tatin,

Your last school took teachers to get a residence visa? What does this mean exactly? Is it good for 6 months or a year? If you get caught, are there less problems than with a tourist visa? How many people do you know who have gotten caught?

Do some teachers start working on a tourist visa in a launguage school, then get a better job in a school that will provide a work visa?

Thanks, Tillymd

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

eye here sum start working on a citibank visa then switch to mastercard.

tarte tatin · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Location: Istanbul

The residence visa can be for six months or a year. It is usually dependent on having a certain amount in your bank account, but the school usually makes a temporary deposit if you need it I believe.

I don't personally know anyone who has been caught. I am sure you can start on a tourist visa and look around for a better position. The risk is small but of course there is still a risk.

Some people stay here for years and years on a tourist visa so I've heard probably because they simply can't face repeated visits to the alien registration department, which are wearing to say the least!

tillymd · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 114

Dear Tarte Tatin,

Thanks for the info.

Tillymd