| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
FGT
Joined: 14 Sep 2003
Posts: 762
Location: Turkey
|
 Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:34 pm Post subject: Changing Times |
 |
|
Some recent posts have put me in a retrospective state of mind.
| Quote: |
| Tears are coursing down my face as I write this. The good old days of English Fast. Good monthly salary with free furnished accomodation. Paid on time and a month's holidays in the summer plus other days. Never more than 20 hours teaching a week, weekly workshops from a professional teacher trainer--I'll stop now and drown my sorrows. |
| Quote: |
| I used to work for Cinar English, owned by his brother Ferhan, back in 93-94; the story then was that both Atila and Ferhan were involved in the local mafya. Don't know how true it was, but they were both dodgy blokes. |
| Quote: |
| I know about the gossip re his attempted entry into the world of porn photos.....after he was ejected from the country, he returned to Ist, |
| Quote: |
| ....punches followed...Chairs flew...tables toppled over...The police arrived...2 teachers were arrested and the rest is history.... |
| Quote: |
| Those really were the days. |
| Quote: |
| Wages have stood still. |
| Quote: |
| What do the current crop get up to ... or has it got progressively cleaner ... |
As far as Izmir is concerned, the job market has changed considerably:
In 1993 there were 3 or 4 "decent" language schools, each employing about a dozen native speaker teachers who all enjoyed a reasonable salary and perks (guaranteed minimum hours, free accommodation, a month's paid holiday etc)
Lise teachers had three months' holiday and fewer meetings etc in term-time.
There was also a very good (albeit drunken) social life shared between teachers from a variety of different schools, and others.
And there were the characters!
In 2006 a university is the largest employer of native speaker teachers, there's one (or two at a pinch) decent language school, salaries have not kept up with inflation, holidays are shorter, guaranteed monthly minimum pay is a thing of the past.
All of the above probably contribute to the fact that most people spend their evenings at home, rather than meeting friends or colleagues.
And there hasn't been a good repatriation in ages!!
So, a question for the old timers, how have things changed in your neck of the woods? Is Izmir typical or is it the exception? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
times have indeed changed.
I am often asked 'where should I study, which is a good school?' My answer? 'I don't know. ' sure there are good teachers but are there any good schools? Tell me if there is. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Golightly
Joined: 08 Feb 2005
Posts: 877
Location: in the bar, next to the raki
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, there were better salaries and benefits back then, because every dershane was desperate to attract native speakers, no matter the cost. Things have settled down, and there is a larger pool of Turkish teachers with decent qualifications in teaching English to choose from, who will put up with far worse wages than we ever got. To be honest, when I reflect on some of my, and other colleagues', behaviour and demands, I feel there were times when we probably came across as petulant, demanding and not a little spoilt; How many companies in our home countries would arrange free accommodation for their employees?
On the other hand, it was all a bit Wild West back in the day, with outrageous behaviour and wacko characters abounding. It seems that the nutjobs have largely moved on, which can only be a good thing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
howmucharefags
Joined: 30 Nov 2004
Posts: 299
Location: Eskisehir
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| dmb wrote: |
times have indeed changed.
I am often asked 'where should I study, which is a good school?' My answer? 'I don't know. ' sure there are good teachers but are there any good schools? Tell me if there is. |
Atadil my man. We rule the TEFL show in Eskisehir. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tekirdag
Joined: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 505
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think the scene in Istanbul has REALLY changed. I got offered a 1000 lira for a full time job today.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
calsimsek
Joined: 15 Jul 2004
Posts: 775
Location: Ist Turkey
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh Yes... the good old days 
Just after the earthquake, when all the backpackers were too frighten to come back. You could pick up work anywhere and you could almost name your price.
Then again, even before the earthquake there were less teachers around then there are today. Also alot of us have just stayed on.
Like everything, its a matter of demand and supply.
There are less small a privet schools around and alot more chain schools.
I think we need to run off a few ''backpacks''. Then perhapes rates may start to go back up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tekirdag
Joined: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 505
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yes! Pack a cattle car and send them off to a work camp in the East!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
