Job Discussion Forums

[ash]

Hi all and especially our ever popular 31
I shouldn't have spoken so soon. Today was not so fun. But it wasn't the kids, they were great. Sometimes not getting payed and having a crap day is, well, um, crap. One can only take so much.
I don't know how I'd cope in a Turkish school, because I don't like being the big disciplinarian, and from what I hear the Turkish little darlings can be challenging. P'raps I'm a bit too caught up in trying to be the 'cool teacher'. And other teachers like to dislike the cool teacher sometimes. bla bla.
You know how people flash their headlights to alert you to speed cameras/police presence? Well, I didn't get busted as I sped home. Instant karma.
I'm not gay but my boyfriend is

[ash]

oops, sorry, this was supposed to be a reply to another thread, so it probably doesn't make much sense. damn. sorry. quick, dmb, how do i move it?

[dmb]

there should be an 'x' in the top right hand corner. Click on that. If not click on Edit in the same place, and delete it.

[saloma]

It may be a crap day for some, but here in Taiwan it's father's day! (08/08 is ba-ba, which is "father" in Chinese) So Happy Father's Day to all the father's in here, I know there are many....

And just in case you need an excuse....this Thursday is Chinese Valentine's day!

[ash]

no joy, but thanks for trying. i wouldn't normally start such a thread in such a way. oh well. anyone else had a crap day? anyone want to share the difficulties of teaching in Turkish schools, and how you tackle it?
tell me, do you think it's possible to attain total silence in a class of 35 8th graders without setting an exam or scaring the hell out of them? apparently i need to demonstrate that i have the power...

[calsimsek]

Why are you teaching now. If your in Turkey the schools don't open up for another four weeks or so.

[ash]

I'm not in Turkey
I'm in Australia.
I'm about to finish my grad diploma in education, teaching ESL and Indonesian. When I'm finished I'll come and teach EFL.
That's why I'm not getting paid to teach, but teaching. And that's why I have to demonstrate that I can control my sweet little hyperactive year 8s. They are a good class, and I think they are behaving fine. My supervisor is upset because they behave better for me than him, and so he's trying to get me to be mean to them...maybe.
Speaking of crap days, last week I was late home because of a completely irrelevant staff meeting, and when I was pulling into our driveway I ran over my cat. He's ok though. I only got his tail. Lucky.

[whynotme]

i heard Ibrahim Ferrer died two days ago. It is a crap day today.

[corall]

i know about crap days. i am dealing with a "where the hell is the summer pay that is owed to me?" issue these days.

ps. whynotme, i haven't said this before, but your son is adorable, i love that avatar!

[31]

[quote="corall"]i know about crap days. i am dealing with a "where the hell is the summer pay that is owed to me?" issue these days.

How typically TEFL in Turkey...

[whynotme]

[31]

At least there is a chance you will get your summer pay.

[corall]

well i think(hope) that it has been a mix up. we had discussions before i left for oman because i was leaving directly after the school year finished, so i missed the last two weeks of school (basically sitting around drinking tea with the occasional meeting time). i will be talking with the school principal tomorrow to get the money, insallah. i am not returning to the school next year but everyone else got their pay and i was told i would too, so i am waiting til tomorrow...

[justme]

Sorry to hear that, corall. It's such a frustrating situation. I hope your money indeed comes tomorrow, and not on one of those tomorrows that never comes...

Good luck!

[ash]