Job Discussion Forums

[MoiJill]

Hola! I am contemplating on whether to take the Celta in either the International House or through the Lewis School. There is plenty of information on the web regarding the I.H. but nada about the Lewis School. Has anyone taken the course there? Anyone with any history about this school?

Oh yes, I'm looking for a 2-month apartment in Barcelona ... any recommendations?

Gracias!

[gmjones]

Hi,

I did my CELTA course in International House in England, so maybe Im biased, but I have to say I think that it is looked upon more favourably than other institutions who provide the same or a similiar course. Im sure there are many people who will disagee, but I think most people in the TEFL world are aware of International House, but I at least have been teaching for 5 years and have never heard of the Lewis School. That leads me to the conclusion that if I were recruiting someone who had the IH course on their CV I would recognise it immediately and would be able to recognise that their training had been good quality and thorough. However if I hadn't heard of it I would think it could be some backstreet cowboy school and that perhaps they weren't as prepared to teach as someone else.

At the end of the day my opinion on my IH course was that it was well prepared and super interesting and I had a good opportunity to get in practise teaching and learn the methodology while meeting some really interesting people at the same time. Good luck with your decision!

[MoiJill]

Thank YOU for responding. As of today, I think I'm going to try the Lewis School. EVERYBODY seems to take the course at the IH and I'm thinking that maybe I'll get extra attention if I take it at a smaller operation. You know?

So, I'll be sure to post my reply upon completion of the course.

I was also interested in taking the Celta in Mexico, but am not that excited about Playa del Carmen. Why can't it be in Chiapas or someplace less touristy. Oh well ...

Gracias! Merci! Danke! Obrigada! Shookran! Grazie!

[jimi2times]

Hi

I did the TEFL course at The Lewis School and I totally recommend it. Everything was very professional and I�ve found that lots of institutes in Barca have heard of The Lewis School. The school has experienced teachers, small groups, computers with Internet, lots of materials, a sunny garden, good location etc... They are even so good as to send you regular emails about jobs etc.. In fact here is the latest email they sent me. It says that if any previous trainee recommends a future trainee during the 2005 year then that person gets a 10 percent discount - how about sharing the quite considerable saving you could make? The email also has the web page of the school:

Peace



Dear All,

As our 20th anniversary approaches we have already started looking back over
our years as a Barcelona language school. When we started up in 1985 we
basically just taught English to the locals (yes, me too!) and now, 20 years
later, we find ourselves training up new teachers, teaching Spanish, running
Cambridge ESOL exams, organising summer camps, study programmes abroad,
etc...

We began teacher training in 2001 and since then over 50% of our trainees
have chosen us because one of our ex CELTAs has recommended our school to
them. This of course is a huge compliment and it is very satisfying to our
CELTA team to know that we have been doing a good job.

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary and to thank you for recommending us (and
for bringing so much business our way) we have decided to offer a 10%
discount to all 2005 CELTA trainees who have been recommended by one of you.
Or if you prefer, we can pay the 10% discount directly to you.

Our new website is now up on a new address: www.tesol-spain.com. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contributions - I think
they have made the site very personal and friendly.

All that remains for me to say is have a great Christmas and New Year
wherever you are.

[Phillip Donnelly]

If I were of a cynical nature, I might question the motives of that last post.
I'd go for IH. I did my DELTA with IH Barcelona, and I worked as a DOS for them last year in Moscow. In terms of recruitment, outside Barcelona, and within it too, a CELTA from IH has more value. As I know nothing about the Lewis School, I can't say anytyhing about the quality of education.

[Moore]

Go with I.H. - they�re all round the world and people have heard of them, they have a decent reputation.

[Fud]

Go with IH--I took my CELTA at their school in Sevilla, and even though the class was larger than normal (19 people) I felt I got more than enough individualized attention. They really do have a global reputation, and you can interview at the school for jobs all around the world at their affiliate schools.