Any private language schools in TRNC?

Tamraaa


Joined: 10/03/2010
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
10/03/2010 20:31

Hi all,



I want to move to TRNC this September. I'm a teacher of English as a foreign language and as I'm not in Cyprus at the moment I'm trying to find out if there are any/many private language schools in any of the northern cities that I could contact to ask about vacancies? I haven't been to Cyprus and the job search is proving very difficult from here in the UK. Some Turkish Cypriot friends of mine keep saying to me "oh, there are plenty jobs for English teachers!!" but they don't seem to be advertised on the internet and since I'm not in the country I can't go around looking for the schools. Does anyone know the names/contact details of any private language schools? I won't be able to move there unless I find a job beforehand.



Thanks!

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
10/03/2010 22:16

You have one advertised at the top of the page -Sunny Lane. There are loads, but........ There was also an earlier thread asking for English teachers,.



However, you do not give your name, or an e mail address on your particulars, merely your age and that you are in U.K. Are you thinking of coming here to make money? Or to be part of the place? Why nbot try the universities for their Prep Schools or Foundation Departments. You could find ALL the names of ALL the schools by googling. Then you could contact them and ask if they would like to meet you.



I know that some used to take people over the web, but mistakes have been made and so I reckon yuou would need to come and let them see you for themselves.



You say 'since I'm not in the country, I can't go around looking for schools' but as I said try the web. Also you don't say where you would like to be.



Good luck with the search, but beware that you may only earn enough to pay rent and live from week to week. Unless you ha

Tamraaa


Joined: 10/03/2010
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
13/03/2010 17:18

Hi, thanks a lot for your message,



Yeah I've heard this from a lot of people, 'there are loads of language schools' and 'try the web' but unfortunately the web has not been very helpful! I did contact Sunny Lane but as they are a 'normal' school that teach the UK curriculum to children I don't think I am qualified to work there, as I am a teacher of English as a foreign language to adults. I am really looking for a language school.



I have heard about Side Streets in Nicosia and I sent an email to them but have had no reply. And they didn't come up on my Google search, the name was given to me by a friend. I'm really finding Google a bit useless with this matter!



The pay isn't really my concern, I want come because my boyfriend lives there (but he's here in the UK at the moment which is why he can't really do more to help me!) And unfortunately I am stuck here doing a master's degree full time until August so I can't come to look around in person.



Any more ideas anybody? T

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
13/03/2010 19:55

Yes, it is tough, and you may have to come out on a visitors visa for 3 months with the boyfriend and take it from there. Trouble is that there are a lot of folk here already looking.

Sidestreets? I know them well and there is verylittle opportunity there.

I know of a school in Famagusta, but too far, BUT, if you have a Masters (almostA) why not apply to the Unis for their Foundation/Prep departments. Try G.A.U (Girne American University), and METU (Middle East Technical University) and Near East, and ...well, look each one up on the web page.

Or there is the English School Kyrenia - take a look at that.

Don';t know if anyone else has any more ideas. Oh and one other thing - how many years ' experience do you have????

charb


Joined: 17/03/2009
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 01:59

Don't blame Google on that, it's the websites, which the schools do not have a proper one!. You may try the univesities' prep schools, or private high schools. The reason you don't see any ads for job vacancies is that it is too early to see one. You should wait at least until June.

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 11:26

Tmaraa I defitiely recommend you to try middle east technical uni north cyprus campus. The will probably need teacehrs this year too. The prep dept pays 4000tl for a teacher with a masters degree. They have an intensive exam which lasts for 3 hours. I scored quite highly so email me for details on the format. Private high schools are paying much less.

bluestriver@hotmail.com

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 19:57

METU is a fab place with a fab reputation, - so good luck.

But speaking with a friend today who teaches in a private school (which pays wlel, incidentally) she suggests you should be here to seek for work, and as someone has suggested, much later in the year.

In fact some of the pREP SCHOOL, don't offer work until they see how many students they have. This particularly applies to newcomers.



ANYWAY, as I said before - good luck

Tamraaa


Joined: 10/03/2010
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
15/03/2010 00:44

Thank you so much guys, your comments are really helpful and it's definitely put my mind at ease to know that it is early to be looking - I think it's because my masters is going so fast that I feel the year is going fast too and I'm running out of time for everything!!



I have a BA in English Language and the MSc I'm taking now is Applied Linguistics. I took a year out between them to get a TESOL certificate, and taught for 6 months. So you could say I'm over-qualified and under-experienced!! This is my main worry. But, during this year of studying I have been teaching fellow students and friends at university privately and (very) informally - among them some Turkish Cypriots. I'd be interested to know people's views on how employers might view my experience in this case?



Pixie - I will definitely contact you by email later, thank you!

twinky


Joined: 10/08/2008
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
15/03/2010 07:05

english school of Kyriena is at this moment recruiting in the uk for next september as more classes have been added for all years, if you interested you need to get on the phone to them now

Tamraaa


Joined: 10/03/2010
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
15/03/2010 19:09

Thank you!

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
16/03/2010 02:38

RE: Msg 8. To put this in perspective. My wife, a professional linguist qualified in 4 languages and speaks more, has 2 MA's from uni 20 years ago. She has also worked at the European Commission. To get work in TRNC is near impossible even with her work experience. We know of a professor who left the uni because although advertised to students as teaching in English, the reality is they teach in Turkish. Exams had to be marked in conjunction with an interpreter, its a farce. So don't expect to see many openings at uni.



There are MA linguists working in estate agents for pitiful salary selling flats, so what chance for a newcomer? Don't hold your breath ! HTH



guin

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
16/03/2010 08:44

Is this about metu or universities here in general?

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
16/03/2010 14:07

RE: Msg 12

The prof told us this applied to the American uni in Girne and the uni in Famagusta.



guin

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
02/04/2010 09:33

Hi MarieB,

I just realised that your message was replying to mine do tell where your friend is working ? I know that private schools here in Nicosia are paying something like 1700 tl for a new hire, and the pay goes up according to experience. I can guess that your friend may be working at the ESK where Ive heard the pay and conditions are really good. Could it be so?

Everyone has their own opinion about wages, and I wouldn't be happy working for the wages I have been quoted in Nicosia.So I do my own thing, and I work less-earn more.But I am interested to see which school your friend is working at.