Didn’t Get the Job
Well. It was a humbling experience. I thought that given how difficult, spoiled and disrespectful the students at Istanbul’s Beykent University English language school are, I thought getting a job teaching there would be a matter of me choosing them, not them choosing me.
Well, to my surprise I was told that my observed lesson — which I thought went really well — revealed my inexperience as a teacher, and they do not want me for the fall. The director who observed the session said I lacked a student centered approach. that is all fine and good, but how does one be student centered when the students don’t give a shit? That’s is what you learn when you get a CELTA, the director, Michael Hardern, replied. Got me there. Though I have my doubts about how right he is in regards to Beykent.
A CELTA is a more prestigious ESL certificate than the TESOL variety that I have, and one can earn it in Istanbul. I did a three day trial there last week and disscovered the above truths about the students, as well as the fact that morale among teachers — who are really cool and interesting people for the most part — is low, many of them aren’t returning. for the fall.
” You can just check that TEFL-tastic shit at the door pal,” said one bitter teacher after I asked him if he does any warmups with the students. To hear that and then to hear, one week later, that I don’t have the training to teach there suggests a cognitive dissonance.
So for now, I am going to continue working at Ihlas News Agency and tutor part time. You can imagine how much I wanted to tutor English the evening after I found out about the job I didn’t have — teaching English.
More Pumped Over Futbol
Last night Beşiktaş fans took to the streets and celebrated their teams Turkish Super Lig cup victory. Coincidentally, the last time Beşiktaş won was 2003, the last time I was here. Another coincidence: there mascot is a BALD EAGLE! American spies?
The flag waving, standing through sunroofs, flare lighting, shouting “Beyaz” “Siyah” (white, black) reminded me just how unpumped American sports fans are when their team wins the Super Bowl, NBA finals, or what have you. For such a sports obsessed country where millions analyze statistics in fantasy leagues and read every article on their favorite stars’ accomplishments, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of outward passion.
Sure, there is horn honking and the occasional overturned car in cities that win titles, but we don’t think of too many creative cheers or clever chants to make rooting a real interactive sport. The closest thing we have is college football, for which fans sing fightsongs.Here it is TRIBAL!
I could be wrong…Discuss…
PS. My team is Galatasaray. Oops.
“English”
Below are samples of news briefs that I am charged with editing. The English is…um…very peculiar (and written by a senior editor!)
Diyarbakır (IHA) — Diyarbakır anti-smuggling and organised crime bureau police confiscated 8 million 123 thousand cannabis roots within 3 raids they staged. 9 suspects who were taken into custody ,were convicted in the court.
A mother whose name has not been identified yet , was taken into custody in Karsıyaka district of Gaziantep with the accusation of torture on her own little children .The mother is alleged to have stuck hot porks that she heated , on the skins of her 2 and 3 years old kids and to have burnt their clothes .It was reported that the relatives hearing the children crying with pain and fear , saved them from the mother’s hands at the last moment.The mother was restrained but she was later released by police since nobody testified against her.
Adana — Republican Peoples’ Party ,CHP ‘s deputy chairman and Istanbul parliamentarian Kemal Kılıcdaroglu stating Kurds should be allowed to constitute private newspaper and TVs peculiar to them , added: “ PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party ) must lay down weapons so that a solution for Kurdish issues then can be provided ”
Van —- Military activity in east and south-east regions which inclined up with spring is still ongoing.
Last evening , a convoy consisting of 18 martial vehicles including armored ones to accompany the convoy , set off towards Hakkari after getting loaded in Van .