Job Discussion Forums

[Ysabel Hayward]

Hello Victor,


I was a February student and I can�t remember where I saw it - about intensive courses, but they�re right at least here in Madrid there are many companies changing the shift from the normal 1 year hires to 3/4 month contracts. I did a lot of intensive courses when I finished my TEFL course and yes, intensive courses are paid higher. Of course when we got to the Sept/Oct period I did accept 1 year classes (Sept-June) but I still prefer the shorter intensive courses. Also there is always work in Spain, well, I can only vouch for Madrid so go for Feb , it��ll be fun
Good luck, see you in Madrid.


ysabel

[kathy brennan]

I�m on the EBC course on Feb 14, 2005 and I�m really looking forward to it. I have been reading some positive exchanges about jobs and intensives around the months of Feb, March so I�m so excited about this move!



kathy

[Ysabel Hayward]

Good luck Kathy, I�m sure you�ll love Madrid. If you got my tutor, you�ll really get trained, well, meaning you�ll work hard! That�s actually true for all the trainers, they�re great but they do work you. I was with John, Brit Norwegian chap, strict but a powerhouse of TEFL knowledge but you�ll see, he�s also a real nice chap! Extremely kind and helpful.

They say Madrid winters are cold but really I don�t think its bad at all. I�m on my way back to the UK for the holidays, up in the north of England, and that�s where you call the winters cold and damp!

Now you know why I love Spain!


Ysabel

[kathy brennan]

Hi Ysabel,


If youre still in Madrid in February maybe we can meet up at the EBC school! Thanks for the encouragement, its always nice to feel reassured especially when one is just about to make a big move!

kathy

[michelle ashley]

hi guys,

You know after reading posts on ebc on another forum (a forum based in spain, nothing international like dave esl), I�m glad we�re still free to mention the name of schools, products, etc, etc, that we felt were good here on dave esl!

Ex students of EBC were effectively banned from writing their happy comments because the owner of that forum in Spain felt that there were too many happy ones , ergo suspicious. Funnily when unhappy students wrote about their experiences with the now notoriously "should not touch" ITC, these same owners were telling these conned ITC students of the use of proper language on his forum and that they should explain in detail/justify why they were giving ITC such bad press even if was already running like fire - all these ITC posts on dave esl. what type of evidence was he looking for?

Now really in the case of ITC Barcelona, do you really think those stranded students who lost close to 3000, 4000 euros would have been concerned about the "proper language" to use after they�ve just come all the way from the US, Canada, etc. only to find the ITC�s school doors closed, with no contact person at all?

What is the proper language for this scenario? Also as far as I can remember the people who posted didn�t use any colorful language at all.

I believe in freedom of expression so after reading all that from that other forum based in Madrid, all I can say is if he is not keen on hearing what the public has to say or if he doesn�t want the public to mention names on his forum, then maybe he should redirect his business to something where absolute privacy is the rule!

So to all of you future TEFL teachers who are planning to do a course in Spain, Asia, South America, Australia, etc, etc, stick to Dave ESL, for your fact finding research. At least here satisfied students are not called suspicious when they mention the name of the school they went to in reply to questions of recommendations!

I did a lot of research before I took this big move and I felt that I chose the school I went to because I was able to read good things about them and that I was able to communicate with their ex students. How can guys doing their research from the US honestly do their homework about schools in Europe, ie :Madrid or anywhere else really if the mention of names is considered wrong just because the named school has a lot of satisfied customers?

Stick to Dave ESL for your questions, at least here you�ll get answers, good, bad or whatever!


michelle

[William Garcia]

wow, michelle who was that madrid based forum, ill send you a pm, i have an idea who they are, I was in madrid for 18 months, I�m now back in NYC, but I�d like to confirm my suspicions! I agree with you that everyone has the right to express their contentment/discontentment on anything!

By not mentioning the names of the schools, what does this achieve? Really strange. Unless of course there is a hidden reason, no lo se!

Check your Private Messages.

william

[kathy brennan]

I�m on the february course, can anyone tell me what the area close to metro tribunal is like, or what areas can you recommend, affordable but safe. I�m planning on being in Madrid the last days of january so i can start renting from feb 1. My course starts on feb 14, 2005.

any help is appreciated.

kathy

[justin andersen]

That�s not a bad area at all, it�s quite central so you won�t have problems with the metro or the bus. Prices, affordable on a teacher�s wage but there are cheaper areas. If you find an apartment to share in the Tribunal area, I�d go for it. Check out areas around the universities as well, like Arguelles, Moncloa.

[debora]

Hey, i too am plannig on attending the EBC TEFL course in Madrid this February. The amount of questions that I have are endless.

My main questions are in regards to housing and visas. I hold a US passport. Is there anyone who has taken this, or any similar course, that would have some advice in regards to the visa process, or for affortdable student housing for a recent undergrad who is a little tight with funds?

Thank you! any advice is much appreciated.

debora