|
Teach and Study Program at Bilkent University School of
English Language
Are you about to graduate and looking to gain invaluable
experience living and working in a new country and culture?
We offer you the opportunity to work as a communication
skills instructor in one of the top universities in Turkey
helping develop the English language skills of
undergraduates in the School of English Language and other
university departments. Communication Skills Instructors
provide essential oral skills to students with a range of
language levels and competence, as well as supporting
development in other language skill areas.
We welcome applications from students on the point of
graduating with a good GPA, who wish to gain useful and
résumé-enhancing international experience abroad in a top
educational institution. No previous teaching or tutoring
experience is required—only a strong record of academic
success, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
We Offer
• A
high-quality
University
environment to learn and practice language teaching and
tutoring skills
• An intensive induction and training program led by
qualified experts
• An attractive employment package including rent-free
private accommodation on campus, a foreign currency salary,
private health insurance, flights and other benefits
• An opportunity to take up to 2 credit bearing courses per
semester towards a master’s degree, and complete a master’s
degree in the following years, all with scholarship
• An opportunity to attend weekly Turkish language classes
• Membership of a vibrant school community of some 350 local
and international staff
• A top-notch library and electronic resources to support
learning and career development
• An opportunity to live and travel in an exciting and
diverse country, known for being one of the cradles of
civilization and the hospitality of its people
What can I expect as a new Communications Skills Instructor
coming to Bilkent University?
Training
• An
induction
and
training program
at the beginning of the year with your peer group
• An opportunity to work as a member of a teaching group and
to receive
on-the-job training
• A master’s degree with thesis in a chosen area (e.g.
International Relations, Mathematics, Archaeology) over a
2-3 year period
• An opportunity to do a PhD following on from a master’s
degree
Contractual Benefits
• A
contract for the academic year with the opportunity for
renewal
• Full scholarship for credit bearing courses
• A monthly net salary of 1,000 US dollars with the option
of transferring 50% of this to home country
• Air fare and baggage allowance at the beginning and end of
contract
• Fully-furnished, rent-free private accommodation on campus
with high speed internet (a fee is charged for utilities)
• Luncheon vouchers
• Private and state medical insurance coverage
• Residence permit, work visa and airport transfer
•
University gym membership
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to apply online with a JPEG photo.
Further information about the school and
online application form
are
available from this website. All applications will be kept
confidential. Only short-listed applicants will be
contacted.
Iþýk Celme Cotten
International Employment Coordinator
e-mail:
intrec@bilkent.edu.tr
tel : 0090 (312) 290 5401
fax: 0090 (312) 266 4320
website:
http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/busel
address: Bilkent University School of English Language
06800 Bilkent,
Ankara, Turkey

Induction Program
At the beginning of the academic year, the instructors are
invited to participate in an induction program, which is
specifically designed to welcome them to Turkey and Bilkent,
and to support them as they settle into their new positions.
The program offers instructors an excellent opportunity to
begin a constructive dialogue with their new colleagues and
the school administration. In 2007, the induction took place
from 20 August to 4 September and had three instructional
strands: academics, culture and Turkish language. The
academics strand provided the instructors with a general
outline of how to teach the English language with a
particular emphasis on communication skills; the culture
strand focused on the new cultural environment in which the
instructors would be living and working; and the Turkish
language strand included survival Turkish lessons for
everyday life.
Training Program
The training program focuses on how the instructors can
provide students with the necessary language and
speaking skills to perform successfully 1) in their
departments (where they have to be able to talk about
academic subjects in English) and 2) in everyday life
(where they need to be able to talk about themselves and
interact appropriately with other members of the
English-speaking community). The training program
syllabus puts special emphasis on bringing theory and
practice together, giving instructors a clear insight
into how to improve students’ language and speaking
skills as well as creating opportunities for instructors
to gain practical experience.
On-the-Job Training
The aim of BUSEL’s on-the job training is to help
instructors develop an understanding of key concepts and
become equipped with the necessary professional skills to
deliver communication skills lessons effectively. Throughout
the year instructors will have the opportunity to reflect on
their teaching practices and develop professionally by:
• designing a course syllabus
• writing a series of materials to implement their designed
syllabus
• planning and teaching lessons
• evaluating students’ progression and taking necessary
action
• sharing experiences with peers
Job Description
Responsible To: Head of Teaching Unit
Overall Goal: To help develop the communication
skills of students
General Aims:
1. To provide quality tuition to the students.
2. To effectively carry out non-teaching related duties.
3. To contribute to institutional and professional
development.
4. To fulfill other job related duties as required.
5. To teach up to 25 contact hours (20 small group
contact, 5 class contact hours).
Specifically:
1. To provide quality tuition to the students by:
1.1. planning, preparing and delivering effective
lessons to meet students’ cognitive and affective needs;
1.2 ensuring that the learning objectives specified in
the Preparatory Program Syllabus are met in the best
possible way to meet students’ needs;
1.3. helping students develop their critical thinking
skills;
1.4 providing individual support and attention to
students as required and through tutorials and
individual meetings;
1.5 contributing to students' personal development in
BUSEL through the promotion of a suitable learning
environment;
1.6 contributing to evaluation and planning of courses
to better meet student needs;
1.7 selecting, adapting and preparing materials for
classes;
2. To effectively carry out non-teaching related
duties by:
2.1 liaising with colleagues in all matters related to
teaching of their students;
2.2 actively participating in meetings as required;
2.3 helping with institutional exam administration;
2.4 maintaining records in designated formats;
2.5 responding to evaluation data e.g. evaluation of
Learning (EL) results;
2.6 adhering to and enforcing institutional rules.
3. To contribute to institutional and professional
development by:
3.1 participating in staff development and other
training programmes as and when required;
3.2 contributing to the climate of development in the
Teaching Unit;
3.3 contributing to the positive working atmosphere in
the Teaching Unit and the school;
3.4 participating in the establishment and maintenance
of an ‘open door’ policy, which includes class visits
and classroom observations;
3.5 having classes videoed for professional development
purposes;
3.6 positively contributing to the appraisal process;
3.7 actively participating in task groups;
3.8 positively contributing to consultation on key
Teaching Unit and institutional issues.
4. To fulfill other job-related duties assigned by
the Director.
5. To teach up to 25 contact hours (20 small group
contact, 5 class contact hours).

Contract
The duration of a standard contract for the communication
skills instructor position is 10 months, i.e. August 2008 -
June 2009. There may also be opportunities to extend the
contract for another month and a half working on a summer
program.
Applicants who have submitted an application form may view a
copy of the
Contract.
Please send your password request to
intrec@bilkent.edu.tr.

Probationary Procedures (condensed version)
The probationary period is one semester. Successful
completion of the probationary period includes meeting
the probationary requirements in a satisfactory manner.
Probationary Criteria
Head of Teaching Unit (HTU) manages the probation
process and makes the final recommendation to the
Directorate. The recommendation falls into two
categories: i) approval of successful completion of the
probationary period; ii) termination of contract.
An outline of the probationary requirements is given
below:
a) Satisfactory fulfillment of all duties detailed in
the job description.
b) Demonstration of a wide variety of skills over a
range of lessons observed by the relevant people.
c) Active participation in training.
d) A clear indication of a successful instructor-student
relationship.
e) A clear indication of a successful working
relationship with instructors in the Teaching Unit (TU),
line manager, instructors in other TUs, post of
responsibility holders, management team, administrative
and support staff.
f) Adherence to the Professional Code of Conduct
outlined in the Staff Handbook.
g) Maintenance of acceptable standards of behavior
within the academic community, and respect for the
precepts of reasonable behavior within the community at
large; individual support of institutional values.
Probationary Process
There are two probationary meetings with the HTU: Probation
Update Meeting and Final Probation Meeting. The Probation
Update Meeting is designed to be an opportunity to discuss
the probationer’s progress and to address any issues that
need to be considered. The Final Probation Meeting takes
place at the end of the probationary period and the points
identified in the Probation Update Meeting are revisited,
evaluated and a decision is made about the probationary
period.
A password is required to gain access to the Probation
Handbook.
Applicants who have submitted an application may send their
password request to
intrec@bilkent.edu.tr.
A password is required to gain
access to the
Staff
Handbook. Applicants who have submitted an
application may send their password request to
intrec@bilkent.edu.tr.
 |