Job Discussion Forums

Otterman Ollie

Following on from the in defence of topics we see a lot of in the general forum and most recently with Yildizlar College being a topic I would like to speak up for the private sector establishments.
Those of us who have worked at these places in the past will agree that this kind of behaviour is not typical . I will thank the op for bringing it up in the first place because the bad press a lot of these places get is ımho undeserved .
True working in these places is not a bed of roses ,but, where is ,no where is perfect and in my experience the good places far outweigh the bad . Indeed the vast majority of horror stories we hear are generally about the language schools or Dershanes . No doubt someone will start a similar threat devoted to them ,lets see what develops ,this forum has been quite of late, time for a reality check .

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

Hear hear,

I work in a private language school, and I much prefer it to when I've worked in universities

Less presure, better hours, more fun, Biskrem

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:32 am Post subject: Private schools everytime

yeah gotta go with the op on this one ,not bad three outta three,so much crap gets thrown up about the language schools but people think it applies to the private high schools too,thats not the case .
In my experience they realise that anyone with the right papers and experience don't exactly grow on trees and they treat you accordingly,assumming you are capable of projecting a professional image .

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I've worked in all sectors and with all ages. I much prefer language schools teaching adults. OK, you have to work evenings but the teaching is more enjoyable

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:18 pm Post subject: Being paid by the hour

Yes mate ,teaching those adults can be a lot easier if you are more interested in the age of the student ,but, what about when it comes to pay time?
Word is that no more will you be paid a minimum wage regardless of what hours you actually taught ,now (in Izmir at least ) what you teach is what you get paid so assumming your hourly rate is 20 mil and you teach 10hours a week,well just do the maths ,can you live on that ?
I think its worth mentioning most people are on a lot less than 20 mil per hour ,slave trade anyone?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

I earn a lot less that 20 ml an hour, I thought I was getting good money every month.

oooooh

* clinks glass *

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 11:54 am Post subject: Message to Dave and Moderators

Hi

I'm curious ,the thread that prompted this one seems to have been removed from the forum. No doubt Dave has a good reason for doing that ,but, I would have thought that one of the forum's main aims was to inform us about places such as these wether we choose to ignore the threads or take heed is our choice.
I'm sure the exchange that went on between the op and the lady whose name escapes me was of interest to quite a few,I don't see why that thread was removed,the only embarrassement was caused by the lady herself no doubt her and the other guy are still at it somewhere .

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:28 am Post subject:

Good point Ollie ,I think the lady in question went by the name of Jenny Gorun,she threatened to sue anyone ,everyone who said bad things about her and her wonderful school ,no doubt Dave couldn't handle that hassle and deleted the whole thing ,pity really I thought it was a huge laugh ,but as you say important to know ,anyway at least WE know the truth .

sweetpea · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Bursa, Turkey

I remember reading the thread before it was deleted (and thanked the goddess for it, as I stayed away from yildizlar.) However, in defense of the lady at said school, at least she had the decency to tell me (in advance of all negotiations) that the school is 25 miles from the city center. Currently, I am residing at least that far out from the center of 'town' and I have a 3 hour commute to and from work every day. (nearly 60 kilometers, one way, but the driver picks up a bunch of teachers, so the trip is arduous, at best!) that is the least of the problems, however. Again, at least jenny was forthcoming with that information.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

A 3 hour commute every day. My hat is off to you Sweetpea. I bitched tonight because it took me half an hour to get from Levent to Cihangir- I had to pass through Besiktas and because of the match it took ages.

teacherdude · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 260

I'm just curious about this Yildizlar College.

Two friends are coming over later this year and they're hoping to work with children in the Private school sector.

I don't know much and would appreciate some recommendations. Yildizlar is situated in a beautiful neighbourhood (Bacesehir)sp.

There is also a post on the Teacher's Job Journal for Turkey, the teacher raves about the shcool (with quite a few bleeps...stifled profanity...) in her post. So, I guess SHE is passionate abt the place.

I believe her name was "none of your damn businnes."

Anyway feedback please, did any of you work for Yildizlar or have any friends who did?

Dude

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

Yildizlar College is the subject of a lot of complaints on the site started by former Antik teachers. Some forum members must know the site.

teacherdude · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 260

so what u r saying is that the ex Yil. teachers who complain are also ex Antik teachers?

td

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

No. Some years ago a group of disgruntled Antik English teachers started a site to warn teachers about Antik English and the boss, who later on started City of London College. The site mushroomed to become a mini-blacklist of schools with anyone being able to write about their schools, unis and colleges. I remember Yildizlar and Jenny Gorun featuring on the site. I haven`t looked at the site for a long time but remember that lots of the information was old.