Job Discussion Forums

[yenkima]

If you had a choice between these three schools (ET, EF and Berlitz) which would you take and why?

We are thinking about taking the English First position as we have heard the least bad things about them.

Which school has the most potential for money and which one for sanity?

Also, is it easy to gain private lessons outside your working hours?

Is i easy to gain employent when you arrive?

[FGT]

I've not worked for any of those schools. I voted as a result of received wisdom/hearsay. I'm also happy to continue to not work for any of the above. I'm happy with my lot. I've lived and worked in Turkey for fourteen years and never yet taught private lessons, I haven't needed to.

Anyone with a pulse can gain employment on arrival. You might not be thankful for it, though.

[yaramaz]

Aside from my stints in a university and kolej (which still make up most of my experience in Turkey), I've spent about a year or so at EF, in two separate stints- once in Suadiye a few years ago for 9 months, and now at Levent/Vodafone for about 4 months. As far as language schools go, it's pretty good. I'm still working much longer hours than at the other jobs and the pay and perks are a bit lower, but the work is certainly more pleasant. I feel a lot less stressed. We get paid a salary, which I like, with well paid overtime. I've had no experience at the other schools but there have been quite a few refugees from them (as well as English Centre, Inlingua, etc) who came to EF and said it was more professional and more enjoyable to work for. It's not perfect but it seems to be trying to be better.

[thrifty]

[billybuzz]

I am at a bit of a loss to understand why these types of establishments are your only choices . True they may be less stressful and there may also be a sprinkling of professionalism about one or more of them but, will you be paid on time ? Will you receive a monthly salary ?Do you get paid holidays ? Do you have social security contributions paid ? Is there a sickness or healthcare scheme? Will they do your papers ?Are they likely to offer you a rent allowance or a fully furnished apartment that is not a dog kennel in size or condition . PERSONALLY ı FEEL THESE QUESTİONS ARE THE MOST İMPORTANT . Unless of course you are just another backpacker then it makes no difference . Having great students does not make your life great ,a decent salary ,work conditions,and a nice place to come home to at the end of the day are the factors that will keep you here or not .The rest of it is just connected with the job . Its how you earn your crust ,its not your life .

[yaramaz]

[Golightly]

FGT, you must have arrived in Izmir the same time as me!

[justme]

I also voted based on rumor and hearsay. I heard tell that EF is trying hard to raise the dershane bar and specifically not go the direction of ET by offering salaries that compete with uni prep pay, and by getting rid of split shifts...

[FGT]

[Golightly]

Cinar Ingilizce, Konak & Bornova, October 93! Also Sembol; though generally you'd find me in the Quartz Bar.

[dmb]

Around that time wasn't there a place called 33(or another number) on birinci kordon?

[Golightly]

There was indeed. Sold G&T's that glowed bright blue under UV light.

[dmb]

I have (very) vague memories of that place and it snowed bubbles from the ceiling.

[misterkodak]

I don't know. These choices are kind of like asking someone if they'd prefer being held hostage in beirut, or taken to the desert and left for dead, or selling their soul to satan. The point is.. they are all pretty much bad. Do you prefer bad or worse?

[FGT]