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Iceman33
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 91
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 Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
| You said that you've lived in OZ, UK, and France. Were you working when you worked there? Maybe you could try to do the same job in Japan, Russia or Turkey, or Thailand that you did there. |
Hi there!
No, I was a student in a France. I never worked there. Also, in OZ, I was a student for two years with permission to work (where I did my Master's).
I appreciate your help. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:59 am Post subject: |
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| spiral78 wrote: |
It did not help in the Netherlands that I am married to a Czech - that only allows me to work in the CR.
I have specialist qualifications in the type of approach and method used at this university. I also had local contacts here. 'Specialist' does not just mean 'higher' - it means specific/particular.
Not a case of 'right place at right time.' I was recruited from Canada. |
Pretty neat. I guess it helped that that happened years ago before laws tightened up. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| No. It's current today. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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| And what's your speciality? |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| My MA study and most of my practice and curriculum work over the past ten years has been specifically in the approach and method used at this university. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, my speciality is that I can consume 2.75 litres of vodka in one gulp and still teach a standard lesson that knocks spots off anything from the East, hic! A useful skill in this neck of the distillery... |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:41 am Post subject: |
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| Turkey seems a bit warmer people-wise as well more romantically exotic than Japan |
Depends on what you deem to be "romantic" or "exotic". I have been to both countries, and I would say Japan was extremely exotic! I mean, how many millions of Westerners go to Turkey every year on holiday? I know scores of people who holiday in Turkey every year, but I've only met about 1-2 other people who have been to Japan. Japan is much more off the beaten track.
Turkish people are nice to foreigners (why do I find myself using detestable generalisations so often?) but the Japanese are too, from what I experienced, and they are cool in other ways as well. If you like dating then you'll feel much more freedom in the land of the rising sun than the land of the pistol-wielding father. 
I would stay clear of Russia. I have a Russian co-worker here in the UK and she never wants to go back. Her summary: Bleak, depressing and dangerous. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Knives are much more favoured in Turkey, even by enraged daddies bent on honour-killings.
Russians always complain about their homeland and denigrate it. Doesn't stop them loving it, warts and all. Don't be taken in. Just ask your co-worker who has more soul.... |
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Iceman33
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:42 am Post subject: |
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I am extremely attracted to the Far East, particularly Japan. I love studying Zen Buddhism and the Japanese language. However, it just seems the EFL job market is not too hot there at the moment, even though there are plenty of lower-paying jobs.
Turkey seems to have better jobs for me.
I am after something "exotic". Although I speak French fluently and have great knowledge of German, I am just a bit over Western Europe for the moment.
As far as Eastern Europe is concerned, Poland has been a bit interesting to me. But ....
Last edited by Iceman33 on Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Iceman33
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| Sashadroogie wrote: |
Knives are much more favoured in Turkey, even by enraged daddies bent on honour-killings.
Russians always complain about their homeland and denigrate it. Doesn't stop them loving it, warts and all. Don't be taken in. Just ask your co-worker who has more soul.... |
I don't think she has any "soul" to go back. |
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coffeespoonman
Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 512
Location: At my computer...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Just have to throw in my 2 kuruş as someone who has an M.A. and has been teaching in Istanbul for the last 5 years...
In Turkey, an M.A. will open all the doors for you. Lack of experience will hurt you in the VERY beginning, but within 1 year, you'll be eligible for jobs that people with only a BA + cert and 10 years of experience would have difficulty getting.
Also, Turks are very easy and a pleasure to teach, if a bit hyper and easily distracted. Istanbul is a big, crazy city, however, and life here can be stressful, hectic, and exasperating at times. But, if you want to leave a reasonably quiet life while still enjoying the city, the Asian side is relatively peaceful (or have I just been here so long that I forget what peaceful is?)
I do have to disagree with a few of Minella's points, though. As a Turk, she gives an authentic and valuable perspective, but I think a foreigner's perspective may be a bit different on a few matters.
| Minella wrote: |
| There are many language schools there and mostly they are really good as well. One of the good ones are; Discovery English Language School, Prep2 Language School, Avrupa Dilleri (they don't have an English name for this school) and many more... |
I don't agree that most of the language schools here are good, especially for serious teachers. A few are, and the ones that she mentioned may be, but I think that most of them are of dubious quality, doing little to support their teachers, passing students who don't deserve it, providing few materials of low-quality, etc. If you take a language school job here, as with anywhere, research it first. Plus, with your M.A., you shouldn't have to stay in language schools long, if at all.
| Minella wrote: |
| The European side can be dangerous at times, especially at nights. You need to be careful about the places you go at nights. |
True in theory, but as someone who has lived abroad, you'll immediately recognize the streets you probably shouldn't walk down. This city is almost laughably safe compared to any European or American city a quarter of its size. Also, don't mistake poverty for danger. My street looks like a run down alleyway in a slum, but the people couldn't be friendlier. 
| Minella wrote: |
| And they are not too close to Istanbul. You may need to fly to some places. |
Well, you CAN fly. But the private buses here are some of the best and most efficient in the world, and most highways are excellent. You just show up at the bus station, find someone shouting the name of the city, town, or village (even if it's halfway across the country), and you'll be in a bus in 15 minutes. It can be a loooong trip to the east of Turkey, but you can get to pretty much anywhere on the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts by night bus.
| Minella wrote: |
| Beware of pickpocketing, always keep your bags close to you. And watch out for getting ripped off, when you buy stuff. |
I don't think pickpocketing is much of a problem here - not compared to Europe anyways. Turks prefer to rip you off to your face, not behind your back. USE those Turkish language skills and never ever ever order something at a restaurant until you've asked how much it costs or seen a menu.
| Minella wrote: |
They don't pay too much salary over here. Something around, net 1200 USD per month. And rents are very expensive. So make sure your school will arrange accommodation for you. Istanbul is an expensive city! It is not like Vietnam or even China. The money you earn, will be spent on food, or socializing or maybe rent as well. But you won't be able to save money here. That is why I am leaving to work in Asia soon. lol.
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Unfortunately, there is a two-tier salary system at most institutions - one for Turks and the other for foreigners. It's unfair to Turkish people, who are often far more qualified and experienced than the foreigners making almost double their salaries. However, this is the case nearly everywhere. The 1200 USD quoted above is on the VERY low end for salaries here in Istanbul. The worst language school will usually pay more than that, and the really good universities pay 2 - 3 times that to qualified, experienced foreigners.
Rents are expensive by Turkish standards, but not by European or American ones. A clean 2 bedroom flat in a short walking distance from public transport can be as low as 400 USD, but probably averages around 600 USD. I paid 1000 USD for the same thing in Prague 5 years ago, and I can't even imagine what that would cost in Paris, London, or New York!
And I vehemently disagree about not being able to save money here. Actually, I find it difficult to spend my entire salary every month. And yes I live alone, and yes I drink lots of alcohol, and no I don't cook at home. Istanbul is just like everywhere else - if you're a saver, you'll save. If you're a spender, you'll spend. |
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Iceman33
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:45 am Post subject: |
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I really appreciate your comments, coffeespoonman. They were extremely helpful and informative. 
I just can't make up my mind between Japan and Turkey. I had some interest in Russia, but no longer. Poland has recently become another place of interest, but I'm still leaning towards Turkey or Japan (love the languages in both countries).
I have no experience, just a BA in French, an MA in linguistics (French > English translation with functional grammar as the "backdrop") and a 150-hour online certificate in TESOL (ACTDEC level 2). I also speak German and study Turkish, Japanese, and Russian. |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I have no experience, just a BA in French, an MA in linguistics (French > English translation with functional grammar as the "backdrop") and a 150-hour online certificate in TESOL (ACTDEC level 2). |
You have more qualications than a lot of people teaching English in Turkey. When it comes to getting a work permit stamp in your residence permit, experience doesn't mean anything to the boys in blue (or Mehmets in mavi?) or the education ministry. They want paper qualifications. I'm not sure how the authorities feel about online TESOL certificates in Turkey though? I didn't have one myself. |
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