Job Discussion Forums

turkishlover25 · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Charleston, IL USA

Just wondering if some of you guys would be willing to lend us a helping hand: it seems to be a toss-up whether more people like or dislike Turkey, so if you pool your knowledge that could definately prove useful, whether you have positive or negative things to say. So please, feel free to list as much as you want!!! Thanks again.

jamessmart50 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 91 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Never eat yellow snow.

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul

For men, wear your vest at all times, or you'll get sick and die.
For women, wear your slippers indoors at all times, or you'll get sick and die if your eggs don't freeze first.
It's okay to attract wild birds to your home, but don't eat chicken or eggs or you'll get sick and die.
A little Turkish goes a long way. A little Kurdish goes even further.

Ahem.

Discipline for children is unnecessary, especially in crowded restaurants.
Don't tell someone their child is cute or pretty or anything, or the child will get sick and die.
Don't get a cat or you'll get sick and die.
Getting cold causes sickness and death.
The slightest sign of sickness, including a headache, sniffle, or general malaise, is a good excuse to not do anything (like work), maybe because you would die if you did.
Don't make jokes about the things that cause sickness and death. It's not a laughing matter. To speak of sickness and death is to invite them to your door.
Watch out for strange or scary people wearing green-- they could be jinns. If you're not sure, check their feet. If it's a jinn I don't know what to do because you shouldn't speak of it.
If something seems to not make sense, don't worry. In fact, it does make sense, just not to you.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

mongrelcat · Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 232

turkishlover25 · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Charleston, IL USA

ahem... perhaps some serious advice would be more useful. For some of us, this first step is quite important... what happened to "No Trolls in 2006"?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Those suggestions ARE serious!

it's quite a difficult question to answer for those of us who have been here for eons. Does your place of employment offer orientation of any sort, or do have an approachable boss. The reason I ask is because there are so many different teaching situations here and things have changed quite a bit since we were newbies.
however, I'd suggest trying to learn everyday turkish asap(it does make life easier, and I know you are one step ahead tl). on a teaching note are you in this for the long haul or a brief stint. If you are a newbie just off the Celta then the learning for you as a teacher begins here. listen to your peers, do some reading, ask questions to those with experience who know your work environment, experiment, get to know your students.

I wish 31 was here to disagree with everything I say. You have to learn for youself through your own experiences and take what we middle age old farts say with a pinch of salt

turkishlover25 · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Charleston, IL USA

I'm not sure if this is going to be a career or just an experience. I guess it just depends on how it goes and if I feel teaching is something I like and can do. I taught Englilsh in Ankara for 3 months - strictly part time - so I have a tiny TINY amount of experience, and while I do not have a CELTA or anything like that, my BA is in English and English Teaching, so I hope that will prove helpful. As for learning Turkish, I am really hoping to pick up some hours at a Turkish-language teaching school asap: my knowledge is rusty and my vocabulary could definately use some help.

I'm sure once I'm there I'll be relying on you "middle age old farts" more!