Job Discussion Forums

[mrfate]

Hi all,

I've had a quick look through all the recent posts and most of the discussions are about specific things.

My partner and I will be moving to Turkey in the next few months, and we would like to know if Istambul is the better place to turn up for the first contract?

We both have BA's in English Literature / Writing (My partner also has a MA) and a TEFL qualification. We have one year experience teaching overseas and various teaching and industry experience from home. (Australia)

Can anyone please give us some advice on what schools are the best to teach at? Also is Istambul the best place to start out?

I look forward to hearing your replies!

Ross & Natalie

[vre]

I can start by giving you the info on Ankara, though it is not the favoured location, i must say.

the best local English schools are

-TBA (Turko-British Association)
-Karaca dersane
-Kent English

Private High schools

-TED Ankara Kolej
-Buyuk Kolej

University preparatory and academic english progammes

-Bilkent University

It depends what you are looking for. You can find some kind of contact through a search engine and just post off your CV's. If you were to get an e-mail CV/letter off to all of these, you will be guaranteed something from it, believe me!

As you see from this forum, Istanbul and Izmir seem to be the places to be.

Good luck!

[mrfate]

Thanks for that...

What is it like to live in Ankara... Cost of Living... Night Life... the community...

Also what are the surrounding areas like?

Is it a safe place to be at the moment?

Cheers!

Ross

[FGT]

Define "safe".

[mrfate]

[ghost]

Ankara is a safe place to live and work, and cheaper than Istanbul for rent, food etc.....in fact for food you find some of the cheapest places in Turkey for 'set meals' at lunch time (around 2 million for a 3 course meal) because the competition is so fierce from the Restaurants to attract the thousands of students and office workers.

If you stay initially in Ulus you can find cheap hotels which only cost around 10-12 million with your private bathroom. These are close to the Stadium area (and the track is free to jog on).

The disadvantage of Ankara is the cold climate in winter, with lots of ice and slush on the cards likely for a couple of months. The summers are better because Ankara is situated 800 meters above sea level, so cooler and less humid than Istanbul.

There are so many private language schools in Ankara, making it easy to pick up work if you are a native speaker. One hears good reports about the 'Kent school' of languages. Ghost visited Kent last July, and met an American who had been there for many years, and that is always a good sign.

Another advantage of Ankara is that it possesses the best 'Tomer Turkish School of Languages' in the country, and they now provide no fewer than 12 levels of Turkish Instruction. Ghost took level 1 in Ankara last year and was satisfied with the base acquired (took level 2 in Antalya).

The Kizilay area of Ankara is quite dynamic...it is moslty a young people student enclave with hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants, book stores etc....and in Kizilay there are many language schools. The hotels in Kizilay are more expensive, but if you want cheap, then walk 15 mins. down the road to the 'Ulus' area, and you will find dozens of cheap hotels.

Turkey is a very safe country, especially when you consider the poverty under which the majority live. Ankara has a very strong police and army presence which may also curb the instincts of potential criminals.

Ghost is on his last day in Pattaya, Thailand, before flying back to London from Bangkok tomorrow with Quantas, and connecting with a B.A. to Barcelona.

Last night along the promenade in Pattaya, ghost saw dozens of mice and rats dashing in and out of the bushes and trees and onto the beach. They are not very concerned with the humans who walk about, because they are accustomed to our presence. Pattaya has a major waste disposal problem, which contributes to this ghastly rodent problem. There are simply not enough rubbish pick ups to keep the place clean and healthy.

It is a sad spectacle to walk back to the hotel at 1am and see the hookers who have been 'unsuccessful' in selling plying the last stragglers with the usual b.s. small talk.

Last night at the hotel, ghost was woken at 3am by a fight involving British drunks and Thai 'women of pleasure.' Apparently the agreed upon fee was taxed to the hilt by the Thais...to the obvious displeasure of the Brits.

No blows were exchanged but the shouting and tantrums lasted for about 40 minutes before police were called. It was interesting to note the Thai hotel behaviour...completely impassive....they just do not react to violence. They have a 'mask' and it never comes off...chilling...

[mrfate]

How much do you normally get paid?

How much can you expect to save?

Cheers!

Ross

[vre]

Thanx for that ghost! By the way, what's the connection between ankara and vermin, pist brits and HOs????

Back to Ankara. You will expect ON AVERAGE $1000 pcm. Thats a fact.

Private language school
not much responsibility
students who want to be taught
city centre life
weekend and evening work
shared accom. basic.
lower money

University
nice private two bed accom, free-ish
9-4ish weekends free
better money
very demanding schedule
very difficult students

Ankara is close to some major places like Cappadocia (AMAZING!), safran bolu, and you can get to istanbul by bus in 5 hours. There is culture here, theatre, film festivals, nice bars, cinemas, etc and cheap places like ghost said, although 2 million for a set menu? not anymore mate.

If you like smaller cities and can't put up with big city stress, ankara is good. Ghost is right, the weather is nicer than istanbul in the summer but soooo cold and snowy in winter, but not far to go skiing/ snow boarding.

[mrfate]

Thanks alot for your information everyone... very helpful...

But has anyone got any info on Istambul??