Job Discussion Forums

[solsocks]

I was just offered a job at Yasar university in Izmir Turkey. I have a couple of job offers abroad so I'm trying to decide on one. Teaching for Yasar is at the top of my list. Can anyone give me some advice about teaching here or in a private university in Izmir and how is it living in this city?

[ossie39]

Hi solsocks. Congratulations on obtaining a few job offers lately. You have done really well given that you are a non-native English teacher. Moreover, you have managed to get job offers at a time of the academic year when management are unsure about which teachers are staying and going. Turkish management rarely work so speedily in administration. They have until August to appoint staff ,so you must have something they badly want, unless yasar are finding it difficult to attract foreign teachers. Some schools and universities appoint Canadian Turks or whatever combination of nationalities but it is important to bargain as a foreigner (rather than a Turk) in this case = more money.

Izmir is a wonderful city. Starting up costs can be expensive. What is it about this university that puts it at the top of your choice list for a job? Any tips about the other choices solsocks? Sounds interesting?

[solsocks]

Thanks for the reply ossie39. First, I should mention that I am a native speaker of English. Ha ha, I hope my posting wasn't too off grammatically. Thanks for giving me the low down on Turkish management. If you know more about university jobs and the typical Turkish student attitudes towards learning, I'd greatly appreciate a little bit more info. My other job offer was in Morocco. I'm torn because I think the university in Morocco is more prestigous and will allow me to grow more in my profesional career. However, living in Izmir would provide me with more of an exciting social life. What would you do? Have you been to Morocco?

[squindia]

I lived in Rabat Morocco and did enjoy it for the time I was there. However I was ready to leave after a year. Socially it felt very confining and since I don't speak French (only a little moroccan arabic) I didn't see films and had to pay insane prices for English books.

I can guess that you are considering moving to Ifrane...right? It is a great career opportunity as the university there is very well regarded. In terms of social life though, you will need to be prepared to dig in deep with the locals and enjoy the types of things they do (sit at cafes and sip tea while watching people). It is in a beautiful mountainous area where you can access a lot of variety in terms of Moroccan landscape. I also should mention that as 'liberal' as Morocco is for an Arabic country...if you are a woman you will have a whole other set of challenges to deal with. Feel free to pm me if you want more details.

I've never been to Izmir but from what I hear you would most likely have a kickin' social scene to participate in. I was also recently offered a place with Yasar, the director was lovely and I think it would be a nice work environment. I ultimately decided on something else because I am not up for covering so much of my initial expenses and after researching cost of living in Izmir it looked like I may not even break even every month (mostly due to my educational loans).

Best of luck with your decision...not a bad place to be afterall -2 great options

[beachbum]

Aye Soslocks,
Congrats on your offers. It is still early in the season so you do not have to commit yourself to either one of the offers yet. Where would you like to go? I have taught in several countries including a uni in Izmir. With every appointment there is good and bad. If you want more info re students or living expenses, etc. I would be happy to help out.

[ossie39]

Solsocks you said about developing a social life. Izmir is good but a social life is about people and you are sure to find friends anywhere in the world with an open attitude, which i am sure you have. You also said about the opportunity of developing your career at a prestigous university which of course yasar is nothing like. All directors sound nice when recruiting staff. Have a look at their staff list to see how many foreign teachers you can meet with. If you can't find it because the web page is in Turkish then try Akademik kadro. Look under the prep. department which is foundation year of English teaching in Turkey.
What sort of package is Yasar offering? www.EFL.com gives a guide to what language schools are paying. As a private university they should be paying much better than your average private language school. 24 teaching hours x 20 ytl = 480 ytl per week = 1920. Then there is accom provided and at least half flight. No hanging around all hours outside lessons like in some dismal universities.
Beachbum you got some experience have you? Were you around Izmir?Squindia your account sounds great. Why didn't you watch films?Turks also do a lot of tea drinking and people watching. Women are safe I would say but need to be watchful as with most places. My Moroccan students were great, Turks are cool too.

[solsocks]

Thanks you guys. It has been very helpful. I read only two old posts on the university and both of them were fairly negative. I also have student loans to pay off so barely getting by is not really an option. I've heard Izmir is a great place but if I don't make a enough to enjoy it, it may not be worth it. One other thing, I've heard that a lot of students at these private universities are not so motivated to learn. Their dadies are sending money so that they can avoid military service. Is there any truth to that? The last thing I need in my life is dealing with behavioral problems.

[Otterman Ollie]

Oh dear, you do want it sugar coated don't you? At the risk of sounding like one of those negative people you think may put you of, let me give you a reality check.
Someone has already clicked how early in the year you have been recruited, that sends alarm bells in my ears. The bottom line is that they are in dire need of new staff(fresh blood) coz the old staff are leaving or have left.
Going from the experiences of those who have worked there, this is not a great place to work. Are you aware of any employment "package"? It should include the basics, like a rent allowance, flight ticket, meals, health insurance, oh and the odd holiday or two for starters. The rest you will have to negioate, if you know how!
The kids are generally ok as long as you understand that they have high expectations, they don't expect to work too much in order to achieve them though. That is something you may have to come to terms with, by giving good marks for less than satisfactory effort.
On the social scene, in many respects Izmir is more expensive than Istanbul, esp when eating out and the chances to see a decent live act is pretty remote. But the summer scene is good and the sea is clean and the females are ,well, lets say obliging so you should have a good time. Just don't expect the work place to be anything special, it should be used to finance your lifestyle, at least thats what it did back home.

[ranter]

Is it worth it? In a word, no.

[scot47]

Why do they want a teacher in April ? Who are you replacing and why ?
Did the previous incumbent commit hara-kiri ? Or was she driven insane by the students ?

[Otterman Ollie]

Its true what they say, there's one born every minute.