Job Discussion Forums

rachel1978 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 12

Hello all I am after some advice, let me give you some background about me,
I am 27 and a careers Adviser and worked in a Secondary school for five
>years until recently. Last Summer I took a one year secondment to
>give careers advice to young offenders and this contract is up in
>March 2007.
>
>I have decided to complete a TEFL certificate this year, just the
>basic certificate as I already have a degree in Education with BPS
>recognition and still paying off the student loans! argghh!
>
>I have holidayed in Turkey twice a year for the last three years in
>the olu deniz area near Fethiye and made some very good Turkish
>friends who I am in regular contact with. I recently got back from
>Olu Deniz and realise how much I miss the people and the area.
>Whilst I was there I helped a turkish friend of a friend learn English every day for an hour and got a lot of satisfaction from it.
>
>Following my heart my aim is to teach English in this region. I
>would prefer to offer one to one or small groups and work for myself
>rather than for an agency. I have found an article on the internet
>that suggested they won't consider you for a visa just for private
>TEFL work. Not sure how true this is?

My friend turkish friend Jeff has two businesses in this area and one in Antalya selling designer handbags/ shoes and sunglasses. He is also a part-time chemistry teacher in Fethiye town.
He has offered me full time/part time work to help settle me in and help the cash flow. His advice has been excellent but as he isn't British he hasn't been through the Visa requirements etc. . I have planned to return in September for two weeks to start putting plans together.
>In the mean time I need to find out more.... hence the posting.

Shall I just put Jeffs details on the visa form or mention that I have plans to teach privately aswell? Does it make a difference?
Any advice will be greatfully received,
many thanks, Rachel

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

rachel1978 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 12

This sounds really interesting, I wonder whether he registered himself as self employed when he got out there or on the original visa forms??
If you can find out anymore for me I would be really greatful.
Thanks Rachel

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

He's been here for years. sometimes legal sometimes doing visa runs. He is now married, maybe that helps. But I don't know. I keep meaning to go over to the yabanci subesi in Aksaray to find out.... but it easier to do visa runs and a lot less stressful and time consuming.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Why is his name Jeff if he is Turkish?

rachel1978 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 12

His turkish name is taip, but he calls himself jeff because everyone says he looks like jeff Goldblum (think that's how u spell it!) you know from the fly and other films. Just a nickname, If you've been to turkey you'll know that most of them have english nicknames, particularly in the tourist areas.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Are you sure about most Turks in tourist areas having English nicknames"

I noticed that in Oludeniz/Fethiye there is a chain of estate agents called Hamish Mc Turk's-it made me cringe.

rachel1978 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 12

Yes that is very cringe worthy! I'm quite sure they have english nicknames often choosing one close to their own or they abbreviate their own turkish name. trust me on this one!

tararu · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 494

mmmmmmmm? Actually l hadn't noticed that most of the general population of Turkey had English nicknames. Maybe this is just me...but l suppose that some people down in the heavily touristed areas of the south might do it for the entertainment of foreigners who can't say such difficult names as Mehmet and Tayip....it's a bit like putting a fez on a camel really...

rachel1978 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 12

Exactly! and Hisaronu/olu deniz/ etc are quite touristy areas. You are all taking this comment rather seriously!! I was only speaking from my own experience and not for the whole population of Turkey!!

tararu · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 494

"Just a nickname, [b]If you've been to turkey you'll know that most of them have english nicknames[/b], particularly in the tourist areas."

Sorry, l must have misunderstood what you wrote. Silly me.

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

The ''if you've been to Turkey'' was a bit odd seeing as this is the Turkey forum and if we have never been to Turkey, then why ask for advice here?

rachel1978 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 12

Firstly I'm in work,emailing very quickly to replies during my breaks/lunch, you have taken what I said completley out of context.
Maybe I should have put it like this.
In my experience most of the male turks I have met that work in the service industry in areas heavily populated by tourists have an abbreviated turkish name which is english sounding or an english nickname. I say male because I have only met three females that have abbreviated their names or used english ones instead as they work in a hotel and found it easier when speaking to tourists.

Secondly,the line "If you've been to Turkey!" was purely sarcasm.

Thirdly,I thought that I might get to talk about peoples experiences and get some advice from you not argue about petty things!

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Fair enough Rachel. It is just I have never noticed Turks working in the service industry in areas heavily populated by tourists taking nicknames or making their own names sould like English ones. I was in Fetihye/Olu Deniz/Dalyan/Kaya Koyu recently. I did not go by bus but flew to Dalaman from Ist. It is a lovely area but I found Olu Deniz cringeworthy. Have you been to Kaya Koyu?

There is a site that might be helpful-it is Foreign girlfriends of Turkish men- google it as dmb would say.