Job Discussion Forums

[Caterinamh]

I'm going to be direct and to the point.

Why don't you look for a job at a College? YES, it is a combat zone but you will have a more stable income and more benefits. There are some that are still hiring. I also recommend Fatih University who often hires new teachers. That is where I started and it was a wonderful learning experience. Language schools would be my last choice.

No, don't list ET on your resume if you're planning on leaving before the end of your contract.

Last, homesickness is NORMAL.... but you need to put on your big girl panties and stop letting people kill your self worth and ability to do a good job. Just smile, do your lessons, be a bit flexible, don't take shit from the screw offs and focus on the students who are trying.

Turks are social.... they like being praised and sharing things related to "their culture". It's possible if you are focused on communicative tasks to incorporate something culturally relevant to them. This will warm them up to you. Also, go out and meet people.... do things to keep your mind off of being homesick. If you need a helping hand... or just want to shop or have a coffee I would be willing to show you around. Don't quit before you have even had a chance to settle in. I came here 4 years ago... was also homesick... and now love it. Give it time.

PM me if you want to do the girlie things .... I know all the great shopping places around Mec'koy, Levent and Osmanbey.

[billy orr]

You seem to be doing many of the right things sidikitty, and your comments seem on the ball, so you should start to see some fruits to your labours soon. Yes, annoying questions, working out what the students like that you can be comfortable with, all part of learning the job, you'll get there.

I wouldn't recommend lying on a cv, though. Wanting out of ET seems to be quite a rational reaction as far as I can see from different posts on this forum. Other language schools will probably be pleased that you, a fully qualified CELTA teacher, would prefer them to ET. And admitting to your ET job shows a little more experience than you had before you came to İstanbul. In my opinion having done a bad job is worth more than a gap in the cv. Changing jobs once in a year should not be a problem, although if you make a habit of jumping ship it will count against you, so be sure that the next job is really what you want, not out of the frying pan into the fire.

I worked in Istanbul many years ago, and the places I worked are no more, not my fault hopefully! I am in regular contact with people who still work there, though, so I have quite a good idea of what it's like. I worked for some really dodgy operations in Istanbul. Two of my bosses were sent to prison. I jumped ship after 8 months in my first job, the second one lasted a year, and the third was the best, two years of good fun, got my DELTA, before I went back to UK for Masters. I am now in a very nice job, back in Turkey, training English teachers at a university. I hope you have as happy a time in Istanbul as I had.

[sidikitty]

Caterinamh -

[Grendal]

Dear Sidkitty,

when I used to work at english time in Ankara the manager used to sexually harras a Turkish secratary there. He fired her when she rejected his advances. ET anywhere in Turkey is a bad organization to work for. Kent English in Ankara could probably use a well certified EFL teacher like you. Istanbul is just a name that attracts all the teachers from abroad. Look in Ankara and Izmir too. There are also schools in other parts of Turkey too. Ask for Carol at Kent English. PM me and I'll give you my name.

G

[Shimokitazawa]

Get out!

You cannot correct the situation. Move on and find another job and a fresh start. Even a new country!

But to stay in there in that situation is insanity.

[gulam2]

MOD EDIT

A question above was "could you get fired if students complain about you at ET?"

Many have been.

Also the use costructive dismissal - reduce your hours to such an extent that you are forced to leave. Istanbull is NOT cheap.

[sidikitty]

ET has already fired me - after seeing my post they decided to dismiss me.

I have found another job that pays more hourly but does not give me any housing allowance and my hours are not to exceed 20 a week.

Istanbul isn't cheap but I know a little bit of Turkish, know the city quite well since I did 6 months of study here and currently my Boyfriend lives here.

Sadly, he was one of the big factors as to why I am here - otherwise I might have gone to Izmir or Antalya.

[sidikitty]

They knew it was me because I probably was the only new teacher to begin teaching on May 10th. During the summer months, there are not so many teachers joining ET so it was easy to weed me out.

I also made the mistake of trying to confide my problems with my head teacher and write to the head boss about the problems I was experiencing - so it was a simple game of matching for them.

Although it was devastating to get fired, I'm also, in some ways, happy to be free from a contract. I also get to have the experience of teaching kids, which are far less demanding and respectful than the adult students.

I don't know why but University age students are the absolute worst to control and always complain about boredom.

I also originally wanted to stay in Turkiye only 3 months but ET did not offer a 3 month contract.

I am thinking I might return home in September; it all depends on if I like my new job. So far, after the first day, it went ok but the students are very shy to talk...

[mariowski]

Maybe you should try self reflecting on your own teaching skills. Some people are born natural teachers and some never get any close however they try. Give it another shot and if it still does not work, find another profession.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=82918