Job Discussion Forums

[BCopeland]

It seems that people here are very knowledgable about the teaching scene in so many places.

My question is for those who have taught English in Istanbul, what are the top 10 schools for teaching English in Istanbul? I've heard about Dilko, English Centre, and English Time. Please consider wages, teacher/management relations, students, off-days, and whatever else you may find interesting.

I am truly interested in what you may have to say. I am contemplating teaching English in Istanbul while continuing my academic pursuits.

Thanks in advance!

B. Copeland

[dmb]

Wondered when this would appear. I answered on the main board.

[calsimsek]

Are you talking just 'Dil Merkezi' or K-12 schools or uni.
If you want my top Five for L/C; then here goes
1. Berlitz. Good pay for 40 min class the shortest in town
2. British Enghlish. Keep the Bums on seats & get payed on time all.
3. Dilko. Good students who want to learn.
4. Kent English. A place to learn your craft. No Stress, less expectaions.
5.Wall street. Pay for doing nothing. ( Borring yes)

The key question is not which are the best. It should be which 10 schools or L/C you should run a mile to avoid. So come on people get those long blades out. Let the blood run free
Perhapes dmb could start us off or even Baba.

[dmb]

Ignore this

[Gomez]

1) British Council
2) International House (English First)
3) English Centre
4) ILM/English Time (tie)
5)
6) Wall Street (you don't have to do much)

I wouldn't rate any others personally. Just my opinion. I've worked at a lot of places and many of them are similar in lack of organization. Many schools are just businesses and there's not much regard to what happens to the student after they pay their money. I include BiL Dershanesi in this category. Places seem to change every few years and they re-vamp themselves into better schools, but the ones I listed are my choices as the best places to work. From what I've seen, the British Council offers the most money, the best facilities, the most well-equipped students, the most support. International House, now English First, comes second for similar reasons.

[molly farquharson]

OK, I have to comment re the hiring practices of English Time. We DO NOT hire backpackers. Our teachers have to have a univ degree and a TEFL certificate, though if a person has the degree and several years of experience, we might consider him/her.
Re the British Council, they have the advantage of their government's support, so no wonder they pay so well.
I think the best places to teach are the universities, but you generally have to have a masters degree for that.
I think (as you know) that English Time is a decent place to work. We have hired quite a few head teachers from within the ranks and that will help all the branches. The hourly pay is average but we always get paid on time and f-t teachers also get a bonus and travel when they complete their contract.

[dmb]

My apologies Molly. As Gomez pointed out schools do change. I used to be a head teacher of an English Time branch. On many occasions I would interview someone. Decide not to enploy a teacher, but I would turn up the next day to find the teacher had been given a class. Granted the management has changed. again my apologies. I will delete my previous post.

[Ebenezer]

Now I have a question... in which schools you don't have to make visa runs... which schools are willing to get you a work permit? It is not impossible, they just have to do it while the teacher is in his/her country! Would you mind answering this one, mrs. we-don't-hire-backpackers-Molly?

[luna]