Job Discussion Forums

philosoraptor · Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Posts: 2

Hey everyone,
I'm an American and just got my CELTA recently, and also have a BA in English lit & lang. I came to Turkey around October looking for jobs, and got referred to a language school here called Obem (which, I understand, is connected to AISEC). Obem is affiliated with a lot of secondary schools in the city and gets work permits for people. Once my permit comes in, I can teach at Obem, or at any schools Obem decides to contract me to.

While I've been called for demo lessons around town, I've just been told by a school director that without a work permit, a lot of secondary schools don't want to hire anymore unless it's through Obem. By doing that, they're hiring teachers on an hourly basis, not hiring them as faculty for the year.

Buuuuut the pay is hideous, 10 TYL/hour while at schools (at which I'd get paid only for the duration of classes, not the time I'd have to spend there), 9 TYL/hour at Obem (where the max hours/week would be 20). I've long had the feeling I'm getting conned here. Is this really normal pay for this city?

If it's not, now what? Do I have to ask them to cancel their application for the work permit before I can find another job in this country, or can I wait for them to get it, quit and work elsewhere without having to reapply? Should I just cut my losses and hit up the next job fair in the States?

I'd really appreciate any advice on the matter. Thanks in advance.

nevdale · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 10

10 TL/hour is absurdly low!

As far as I understand it your work permit is only valid if you are working for the company that applied for the permit. If you quit/get fired/finish your contract with that company your permit is no longer valid. So, no, it isn't transferable as far as I know.

In terms of jobs, just keep looking. You are bound to find something.

PC Parrot · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:20 am Post subject:

Sounds like they're onto a nice little earner and have found another way to screw TEFLers ...

Are there any others in the same boat as you? Are there any TEFLers there who actually have a work permit?

Unless they are providing you with full board and lodging at The Ciragan Palace, 10YTL per hour is a joke. That's only $5.5 ... which is barely a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

How can they justify such crap pay. Either the work is legal or it isn't.

Walk.

philosoraptor · Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Posts: 2

lucia79 · Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 156

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:27 am Post subject:

Hi
Yeah the pay is a joke, however as someone has already suggested you can do private lessons and charge a lot more per hour, start at 60 tl then you may make some decent money.
Seems you are a guest teacher at the schools you go to, would be curious to know the names of these places, try to find out if you can, are they private or state?
The other thing is you don't have to do as much detail work as the other English teachers, like prepare and mark exams and make reports, speak to the parents, attend meetings, and go to workshops etc, etc, etc.
If you have to do any of that stuff you are being well shafted!