Teacher's Opinions of English Time
ET is a school that I do have personal experiences with and opinions on, but I do realize that it has gone through some massive changes as it has grown and expanded.  ET was just another language school on the scene in Istanbul in the late 90's.  ET is now the major player, and as you will see it has its share of critics. 
"I teach at ET and absolutely love my job .  My students are generally hardworking and generous.  They are always taking me out... Furthermore the working conditions are great (free tea in the Kantin, a wealth of material)  and the hours are for me ideal.  I work mornings and night, and since I live three minutes from work, that leaves my whole afternoon to stay home or go out.  ....I don't think I could have walked into a better job."

November 2005
"ET's latest ad and some questions:

English Time, a growing language school with branches in London, Istanbul and Toronto, is looking for some dynamic, certified, native English speaking teachers for immediate and future positions.  Experience is preferred.  We offer an hourly salary at competitive rates, housing, or some housing support, and an end of contract bonus and travel.

(The following are the poster's comments on the above ad.  I will comment on this poster at the end of his spiel)

Growing language school - true
Branches in London and Toronto - not true.   The branches there are no more than City of London College has a branch in London.  There is a link, but that is all.

Dynamic - they have never used that word before.

Certified - Now you have to be certified but by whom?   Recently ET has said they would take TEFLers with experience but no cert. - has it changed?

No mention of a degree - Strange - they always mentioned that in their ads before.  Seems unbelievable that they would leave that out.   Can't be an accident so like Interlang which is advertising for degreeless teachers like their DOS, must be a new policy (note: they do require a university degree.  Click here for their most recent job ad.).

No mention of work permits or visa runs (ed- they arranged mine)

Hourly rate - same.

Housing contribution - some but not enough.

Bonus but Interlang did not pay their bonuses and they are owned by ET so what is it worth (ed- I got all my bonuses and everything that was promised to me.  But I finished my contract, too)

Travel - no mention of how much so it must be low (again I got mine - ed)

No mention of guaranteed hours, so that is out. (I had a salary not hourly wage. Benefits to both, cons to both - ed)

No mention of teacher development..."(They offer free Turkish lessons for willing teachers - ed).
ED's NOTES:  I wanted a balanced opinion site.  This was a post from a particularily jaded poster who claims to still be at ET, but he has been caught in lies regarding this.  He has been banned from ESL cafe three times.  He is credited with raising some valid points, but he is also an insolent whiner with a one-track mind.  Click here for most recent job ad.
posted July 2004
":...I think as language schools go, ET is a pretty good one. The facilities are nice, for the most part.  The system is set up so the teachers can step in and teach their classes within a structure and they don't have to set it up theirselves...There is a certain amount of room for advancement as we need head teachers for our new branches...We always get paid on time.  We are working on getting ikamets and work permits, but that is taking some time..."
(posted by current DOS, Molly, in March 2005)
" ...even if you have a good manager, they tend to get rotated so don't expect the good times to last forever.  Most of the complaints these days come from the Taksim and Kadikoy 2 branches..."
November 2005
"...when we have problems with students there is definate support...most of the employees here have as many hours as they want...no one at this branch is leaving because they are not happy here (Kadikoy 1 - ed).   I make significantly more money here than I did in the States..."

November 2005
"...I was always paid on time in full and received the bonus at the end of the contract..."
posted June 2005
"I know the owner and he is a good man, their intentions are good even if there is a lot of inefficiency... When we ask for feedback from the teachers, it is often hard to get.  They can't be bothered.  We have to press some of them to attend the professional development workshops...When we didn't offer workshops we were damned.  Now that we do, we still are...(from the DOS, Molly)
posted April 2005
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