Job Discussion Forums

[tillymd]

Wow, you guys really think language schools are that bad. People should not be embarrassed to admit they work in one, at least they are out in the world gaining experience, rather than sitting in front of the television. For those of us who are not independently wealthy, working in language school is one way to travel. So, I'm not ashamed of the fact that I worked for Berlitz or any language school, in fact, I liked it.

So you said Izmir is smaller and friendlier than Istanbul, I read about 3 million people live there. What is the name of the one good place to work in Izmir?

I've given up on paying off debt. I don't want to be one of those people who prepare their entire lives to retire, then don't make it that far. I've resigned myself to a life of poverty. Freedom from material attachment, that's what I like to call it.

Can you save anything per month?
I know schools do not provide airfare, how about housing?
Do you need a car?
Is it rainy in the winter in Izmir?
Do you think you can hold my hand?

Thanks Again, Tillymd the bottom feeder

[Marquess]

Newbies, eh?

Experience of what? getting ripped off, working illegally, no holidays, split shifts, travelling from one crap place to the next to teach dullards and back again. By sitting in front of the telly I suppose you mean sitting in front of your parents' telly.

Nice idea to give up paying off your debts but sadly you will find that your creditors will not give up on you. It will not go away and TEFLing will not hide you forever.

Preparing to retire will seem a lot better when you are older and if you carry on not preparing you will end up in the Middle East TEFLing when you are old. Your "plan" is to what? Live fast die young?

You mention freedom from material attachment yet you talk about a car and saving.

saving-possible if you spend little and work all the hours God sends.

housing - is too expensive to provide free but a few places still offer it but the quality varies from crap to very crap.

car-forget it-not on your pittance

rainy - yes-so what?

Bottom feeders is exactly right

Travel - you will not be doing much of that -you will be to busy working.

[tillymd]

Dear Marquess,

[Marquess]

I never said anything about the weather other than answer your question that it rains.

I do not teach in Turkey. As for teaching-to pay the bills and support a family, what else.

keep them at bay for a while. Oh I see now TEFLing is just for a short time. No problem I agree. TEFL for a while and then get a real job. So much for your anti materialism

You do not know if it is possible to walk or ride a bike.????? What do you think poor people and TEFLers do?

Retirement homes-not on a TEFL pittance.

The food is good-affordable even for us.

[tillymd]

Dear Marquess,

Thanks for at least replying to my posts.
Have a nice night/day.

Thanks, Tillymd

[Marquess]

at least?

[TeachEnglish]

Marquess is right... if you want to earn good money.. you will have to work a lot here. It is possible.. if you want to really work all the time.. and have many privates too.

As far as working your way up.. I came here.. did a TEFL.. got a job at a language mill.. worked there for a while(couple years).... and then on to the big time.. a university. The university pay is good.. but some have it set up so if you work more than your contract hours.. you get paid less. So you can do double the work.. for only little bit more money. It can be a difficult situation if you want to put in a full day at the university.. but knowing you are getting shafted for the extra hours.. makes working with a happy attitude tough.

[Marquess]

The big time!!!!!

[TeachEnglish]

Marquess..please share some info with us;
What do you do,
where do you do it?

I agree with most of what you say, but I don't think it is all that bad teaching English here in Turkey if you can move out of the language mills and get into a University.. Perfect NO!!.. but better..

Most of the language mills are run based on the principle that all they need is an english speaking(native speaker) person in the classroom to satisfy their students' needs. So what do they do? They hire backpackers because they know that backpackers only care about some spending money or beer money, a place to stay, and when they get bored, they will leave. And unfortunately they don't seem to care about those of us who want a career teaching, and want to settle in the area and make a life here.. There is not much perfect here in Turkey so those of us that like it here, just try to make the best of it. There are some decent Universities where the pay is better.. but not great..

My questions to you are not meant to challenge you or anything like that. I only want to know more about where you are and why you are so negative about teaching English here in Turkey.

[Marquess]

Your "university" is run for profit along the same lines as the language mills.

[TeachEnglish]

Marquess..please share some info with us;
What do you do,
where do you do it?

I agree with most of what you say, but I don't think it is all that bad teaching English here in Turkey if you can move out of the language mills and get into a University.. Perfect NO!!.. but better..

Most of the language mills are run based on the principle that all they need is an english speaking(native speaker) person in the classroom to satisfy their students' needs. So what do they do? They hire backpackers because they know that backpackers only care about some spending money or beer money, a place to stay, and when they get bored, they will leave. And unfortunately they don't seem to care about those of us who want a career teaching, and want to settle in the area and make a life here.. There is not much perfect here in Turkey so those of us that like it here, just try to make the best of it. There are some decent Universities where the pay is better.. but not great..

My questions to you are not meant to challenge you or anything like that. I only want to know more about where you are and why you are so negative about teaching English here in Turkey.

[tillymd]

Hello TeachEnglish and Marquess,

Yes marquess, do tell us about youself.

Good to hear you think teaching in Turkey is not that bad, especially University level. I'm assuming you need a Masters degree to teach in one. Is it possible to be hired with a BA and experience?

I consider myself to be both a backpacker and an educator. Did you work in a school where backpackers left without giving notice, or behaved inapproriately? I think it takes a while to become established in any foreign country, so this would eliminate people who only stay a short time.

I plan on making teaching my career and continue to travel. I hope to get certified to teach HS general science in my home coutry, but would still like to teach ESL abroad.

It's important to remember that it is a privelege to live in a foreign country, only a small percentage of the worlds population have this choice.

Thanks, Tillymd

[TeachEnglish]

Hello tillymd...you can teach English at the University level but if you don't have a masters or teaching degree You might only be able to teach English prep classes to students that don't have good enough english to enter the normal university curriculum. A TEFL and a 4-year degree is usually all you need to get on at the prep level. Of course experience is always good.

Packbackers seem to be preferred at places like Berlitz and English time and the other language mill places.. from what I understand and have seen.

Backpacking and teaching English is really a good way to see some other countries and cultures and I have nothing against backpacking or backpackers. Of course you tend to get all kinds, some are serious.. some are just here to party and.. "whatever"..

Good luck.. Peace

[Marquess]

You don't really need anything as they never check. A good colour photocopy does wonders. As for "a TEFL" the same goes. A real CELTA may be necessary for the BC but a fake will do nicely. Don't bother paying CELTA prices for an ersatz one like a Multi Lingua mulit crap.

[TeachEnglish]

Hey Marquess.. you're stinking up the joint with all your "crap"...

Let me know how the photocopies work.. I would like to teach in the faculty at a University. .it might be fun..

most of us that have been here for a while know YOK means nothing in Turkish..