Job Discussion Forums

sohniye · Joined: 15 Mar 2011 Posts: 90

Hello everyone,

I'd like to know what some of your suggestions are for successfully blending in/ assimilating into Turkish business, education and over all work culture(s.)

I am starting my first contract soon soon and want it to work out so much Laughing

I have been to Turkey before and loved it. From a social-cultural perspective I am on par with many Turks but I admit I don't know what some of the best practices are in a work/school environment.

Feel free to share the good, bad, ugly and great Very Happy

teşekk�r ederim

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I would say it is a bit like walking along a horizontal pole while people are trying to make you fall off by throwing things at you. I manage by trying to keep focused on what I want to get out of any situation, not letting myself be put off by things that the occasional manager or colleague or student throws at me. I try to set my own standards for my own behaviour, which seems to go down well. When too many things are getting thrown I am ready to find another pole.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:54 am Post subject:

Just spend your day drinking lots of tea... : )

But for 12 to 14 hours a day... : (

Don't show any initiative... : (

Don't contradict the manager or boss - ever... : (

Realise you are part of a 'family'... : ((

sohniye · Joined: 15 Mar 2011 Posts: 90

sohniye · Joined: 15 Mar 2011 Posts: 90

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

Initiative, as in making any independent decisions whatsoever, will be seen as disobedience. For example, if you can clearly see that a class is struggling with a course book that is far too high for the learners, do not even suggest to the school that it perhaps needs changing. Or if you and another colleague see that swapping certain classes may make your respective schedules a little more bearable, do not even think about it any further - trouble-maker.

Family, in a Turkish workplace, usually means 'you have to put up with this nonsense for no other reason than the pater familias has decreed so'. Negotiation will not be entertained any further than a swift 'yok!'. Previously agreed terms re salary or hours may not be honoured on account of 'we are a family here, and families help each other out...'

sohniye · Joined: 15 Mar 2011 Posts: 90

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Sohniye-sorry to burst your bubble but I agree with both Billy and Sasha.
At the end of the day most teachers are working because they want money so its basically best to keep your head down and your mouth shut and watch what's going on around you and learn if you want that salary to continue coming

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I don't think the work situation here is particularly hostile, sohniye. It is certainly much less hostile than work in a school in UK or for a certain UK cultural organisation. But there are very many distractions, and I have seen many teachers put off completely by what are really minor irritations that just get out of hand. It seems quite easy to feel everyone is against you, and then the teacher's own behaviour creates more animosity. That is why I think it is particularly important to set one's own standards and focus on one's own aims and not get put off by others.

sohniye · Joined: 15 Mar 2011 Posts: 90

sohniye · Joined: 15 Mar 2011 Posts: 90

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:56 pm Post subject:

Sorry Sohniye. Don't want to appear too negative. But, you did ask for the good the bad and the ugly. Nothing is all positive or negative, naturally. But not to expect paternalism, when that is a common feature in the Turkish workplace, would probably lead to a less than enjoyable experience - i.e. in dealings with the company itself, and not with teaching, whether that be adults or kids.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Sohniye
Of course nothing is clear cut but I've worked with both, in dersanes and private schools and at the end of the day the teaching seemed to be something to do while not dealing with the seemingly more important matter of politics and alliances between staff and staff and management.
Yes, of course you get to enjoy the kids and teaching but I'm saying that you need to watch your back at the same time

cartago · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 283 Location: Iraq

In language schools you do need to get used to working 12 hour days. It's not that you'll continuously have class but if you have 2 hours off between a couple of classes that doesn't give you much to do with the day.

Regular schools will have more regular work hours but I will never ever ever step foot in another private school in Turkey. I've never seen worse behavior and there was no effective way to deal with discipline. I've heard this from many many people both Turkish and foreign who have worked in elementary, middle and high schools. Only language schools for me.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Ah yes, discipline in Turkish private schools. Well, there are disciplinary measures: for teachers who try to discipline students ie rock the boat. NEVER refer to the elephant in the room and remember you are in "The Emperor's New Clothes" (I think that was Billy's analogy a while back)

So if you want some concrete advice on disciplining children, here it is: You very gently say "Yapma" once and then attempt to get back to the rest of the class. If asked by management about a totally out of control kid, who's a danger to themselves and others, reply something like: "bazen biraz hareketli" etc etc etc. The bottom line is that there can never be a real problem that needs addressing

I think most points have been covered in this thread and I'm sorry if I haven't come up with any feel good recipe for integrating into the workplace but you will find out-to some extent or another-for yourself soon enough
As I said, enjoy the nice kids and sometimes appreciative parents while teaching the course book
(Or get a job in a real international school where I suspect teachers get to focus on teaching, or maybe that's an urban myth)