(no subject)
Poof. Seren is putting up a huge battle for me to stay in Istanbul next year if he's here. So I've now to work through a list of İstanbul universities and see if any of them would/will take me. Most of them don't have contact information for people in their foundation English programmes, so Seren's going to help me call them on Monday and inquire about vacancies teaching EFL. Also, Graham works at a private one called Kadir Has, I could ask if they have any vacancies.
Meanwhile, İzmir University of Economics says their post is filled and I haven't heard from anyone else.
Had an orientation-y type morning at English First Etiler, and I almost think it might be worth considering working for them next year. Pleasant branch, lots of resources. Shame about the books. English First is a worldwide chain and in every single school they use their own books which are, in the words of Elna, "simply horrible. There's no way around it. They're awful." They really are. No illustrations, poorly laid out, uninspiring, dull, stupid, unusable! I flipped through one this morning and was shocked. You basically have to look at the lexis and grammar in them and... plan a different lesson, ignoring the book entirely. Luckily, EF's resources are similar to Interlang's, they have all the other books, Reward, Headway, Cutting Edge, Inside Out, plus resource files and skill and activity books, so planning a different lesson wouldn't actually be that difficult, and is not only winked at, but openly encouraged by the head-teacher-types. I could definitely live with it for eight hours a week for two weeks. Full-time in the fall, though? I'll have to think about it.
Meanwhile, İzmir University of Economics says their post is filled and I haven't heard from anyone else.
Had an orientation-y type morning at English First Etiler, and I almost think it might be worth considering working for them next year. Pleasant branch, lots of resources. Shame about the books. English First is a worldwide chain and in every single school they use their own books which are, in the words of Elna, "simply horrible. There's no way around it. They're awful." They really are. No illustrations, poorly laid out, uninspiring, dull, stupid, unusable! I flipped through one this morning and was shocked. You basically have to look at the lexis and grammar in them and... plan a different lesson, ignoring the book entirely. Luckily, EF's resources are similar to Interlang's, they have all the other books, Reward, Headway, Cutting Edge, Inside Out, plus resource files and skill and activity books, so planning a different lesson wouldn't actually be that difficult, and is not only winked at, but openly encouraged by the head-teacher-types. I could definitely live with it for eight hours a week for two weeks. Full-time in the fall, though? I'll have to think about it.