Job Discussion Forums

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

Anyone considering applying for a job at Pro Linguis school in South Eastern Belgium should be aware that this school is in the country, very isolated and remote from any town or shop. There is absolutely nothing to do after teaching at this school and the nearest town is 10km away. There is effectively no bus service and a taxi costs €25 one way into town and a further €25 back.
Whilst this school offers free meals 5 days a week, that is simply because the teachers are cut off from any shopping facilities.And as for the food offered, you certainly wont put on any weight.
So anyone considering applying for this school is in for a hermit existence if successful.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 8433 Location: On a Short Leash

Sounds like the school at Spa (different company, which I won't name), more to the northeast of the country. It's a beautiful location and the school is very nice, but speaking of isolation.... and relatively substandard pay. Most long-term teachers there seemed to be pensioners just living in a beautiful area and supplementing their retirement funds.

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

The pay at Pro Linguis was low and when you deducted Belgium's high personal income taxes, you had very little left for yourself.Being a self employed service provider rather than an employee at Pro Linguis, the teacher was solely responsible for his/her own tax affairs without any assistance from the school management.
When you also factored in the school's extremely isolated and remote location, I would strongly recommend teachers to stay away from this school.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 8433 Location: On a Short Leash

I wanted to make the point that it is unlikely to be only this particular school - it's the general situation in many language schools outside of Brussels.

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

This school is currently recruiting two teachers and in their advertisement , they boast that they are 25km away from Luxembourg.Well, in fact, they are located 7 km form any bus service and the taxi to the bus service will cost you €25.
I cant overemphasise how remotely loctaed this school is.There are no houses even nearby.It is totally out on its own.
As for the free board, with the exception of the lunch, there is nothing really left to eat in the morning or breakfast.So you start work on an empty stomach.Just because this school is located in Belgium doesn't mean that it offers good conditions.In fact, the opposite is the case.So be warned, anyone contemplating applying to this joke of a school.

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

I see this school are still looking for a teacher. I wonder why they have such a problem recruiting????????????

HotforTeacher · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: England

I have just started working for this school, and I must say that last comment by GB was an unfairly negative one.

The school is remote. yes, but there is a bus service to town (20 minute journey - 1.95 eur) from the school gates during the week. In addition, the school has two vehicles which staff can pay per km to use. So you aren't cut off too badly in that respect. The village itself is fairly large, but doesn't have any facilities bar a hairdresser. Also, you can generally get a lift since at least one person is going to town every day.

Foodwise, yes it's not cordon bleu but you do get enough, four times a day. It's edible (well...) and it's free, and you can have as much as you want. At weekends you can raid the kitchen so you won't go short.

On the down side, you do have to be happy on your own here - it is quiet and socialising is minimal. That's the hard part - you can go loopy very easily.
Also, the pay is low and if you don't get the hours you don't get the moolah. Social security is a scandal - you're looking at a 700 eur charge every three months. Tax in theory is minimal on the first 7000 euros, but after that you'll get raped.

So, if you like a quiet life with little in terms of cash outgoings. come here. If you want something more lively, don't. It is lonely.

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

Hotforteacher,

How are you getting on with Pro Linguis? How do you find your students? How do you find the other teachers there?Is the bus service as regular as you thought? Is the village as big as you thought?
I have absolutely no regrets about moving on from that isolated school.

HotforTeacher · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: England

Hi GB,

A few weeks further into my ProLinguis experience, I can see why you left. Although it isn't that remote, the culture among the staff can make life a little unpleasant. Certainly the term friendly is one that couldn't be applied to the majority of the employees. I came with the best of intentions, but like you, I won't have any regrets about leaving this place behind. I would second your advice about steering clear of this place - I wouldn't have done a few weeks back, but now I certainly would.

Where are you now anyway GB..have you managed to find a better gig somewhere?

HfT

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

Hi HfT,

When I initially posted, I was trying to be unfair on the school for no reason. The other teachers just had an attitude of getting on with their own thing and ignoring you to a certain extent, even though you are the one new to the place.I didn't get much of an induction and wasn't told breakfast/dinner arrangements.In my brief spell there, I was the only male teacher there and I found the lack of male conversation a bit tough.Plus I found the female teachers often talking just between themselves and not including you inthe conversation even though, you would be sitting beside them.
Of all the teachers, I only found the Turkish girl who teaches German and the woman who has a child who teaches children to be anybit friendly.
I found the Canadian teacher rather rude and the others totally indifferent.Given the setting of the school removed from other places, i agree that it can be quite offputting when the other staff are so cold.
Are you going to stick it out and complete your contract or are you going to resign? Normally, when I get dissatisfied, I lash out and jump ship which is not the right or decent thing to do either.
I moved on to work for English unlimited in Gdansk.Worked there for 5 weeks.They have a good reputation but in reality, they leave a lot to be desired as an emplyer.Now back home inIreland, working out my next career move

HotforTeacher · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: England

GB,

I've had exactly the same experience as you - I couldn't have put it better myself. So it wasn't just me then...

I'd agree with you about a lot of them being rude or indifferent - you just don't know where you are with them. Certainly the lack of male company is trying. I do half suspect that there is some kind of game on to see how many men they can send packing...or am I just being over dramatic?

I'm planning to stay the three months, or at least ten weeks. At least then I'd have had a decent wedge of experience to put on the CV. I always feel you should stick things out, but I certainly couldn't do a year here...

Good luck with the next job. I am hoping to make a certain southern European country famous for salted fish my next stop - should be a bit nicer there.

HfT

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

Hotfor Teacher,

Have you left Pro Linguis school yet as I just see they are currently advertising for teachers on tefl.com.Did the other teachers open up a bit and become friendly once they got to know you or did they remain as cold as before.Would love to hear some news about the school

George Best · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

If anyone out there is considering working for this outfit, think again if you dont an existence of isolation in a dreary part of South Eastern Belgium with nothing to do or see.Believe me, you will go mad.And as for the other teaching staff, with the exception of one girl(she knows who she is) they are the most inhospitable bunch of people you would ever met.
Stay away-Belgium is dreary

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 8433 Location: On a Short Leash

Bumping this thread up for newbie posting regarding Brussels. May be some useful info here, though the focus is a specific school in the country outside of Brussels.

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 195

I have been offered a job at Prolinguis and Ceran the latter in a remote place in the Ardennes and Prolinguis you know about. I accepted the offer with Ceran cos they were first - not always wise was regretting not taking the prolinguis job until i started reading these posts. At least at the phone interview they said i could learn French and Dutch by paying the teachers their hourly rate. Did anyone try this? Ceran won't do this Sad

Ceran btw are based in Ferriers a remote village nr Spa 40km from liege they say after one month will have to move to Liege and commute. Can anyone tell me about their expereicne with Ceran and how they got on with accomodation and commuting? Worried about the expenses involved - i would like to save money. At least Ceran offer a weeks training. Would like to know about this also. In fact anything about them would be useful. So please reply ASAP. Job starts in June 23rd.