Job Discussion Forums

[SgtPhilco]

Hi Guys and Gals

Just wondering if anyone has heard of, or has information on the F Y N E Formaci�n language school in Madrid. Considering doing my TEFL course there in May but as I had not heard of this school until recently. Would really appreciate any feedback, info etc you might have.

Cheers

Phil Hepworth

[SimoneS]

Hi There,

As far as I know, this company started up in 1980 and began the TEFL programme 18 months ago. I have met teachers that work for them - they are legit. I get some email addresses for you, perhaps then you could contact them directly and see what they say. I know also that they are members of a professional goverment organisation in Great Britain. Good luck.

[SgtPhilco]

Hi, thanks for your help. With so many schools out there it is really difficult to know who to choose. I have narrowed my list down to 3, Canterbury, ITC and FYNE. At the moment Canterbury is favourite but I did like the FYNE and I think is was cheaper. I know cheaper is not always the way to go so I am keeping an open mind.

Cheers

Phil

P.S Have you done a TEFL course if so where and with what school. I am interested to get lots of peoples feedback and find out whether they found it helpful in the real world of teaching English.

[e green]

Hi,

You mentioned ITC, if this is the same ITC that is still in Prague, but was at one time in Madrid and Barcelona as well, then I don't think their Spanish schools are in business anymore. Check out previous posts, I think the Spanish schools went bust 2 years ago. The ITC in Barcelona went out pretty messy, but don't quote me on this, check out old posts. If this is the same ITC , then I think they're still doing courses in Prague. As I said I could be wrong, so check out old posts.


Elizabeth

[SimoneS]

Hi Peeps,

Yes it is true ITC have been in a lot of trouble lately. Their accreditation by the College of Teachers was revoked because they'd left loads of students high and dry when they'd paid deposits etc. Canterbury and Fyne are both members of the College of Teachers - both a good bet.

I did a distance learning course with a company called Ronat International. People say its not worth doing distance learning, but that's not altogether true. It is worth it in that it opens you eyes to what TEFL involves and the grammar skills you need etc. What it falls down on is the classroom practise etc. As long as they offer full training and all the required study chapters they are okay. I chose distance because I was working a heavy schedule at the time.

Keep in touch

Ess

[e green]

I remember seeing something about ITC getting kicked out of the College of Teachers as well. I don't think that they were accredited by them though. From what I've read on one of Dave's other forums ITC got taken over by TEFL International. I've seen on another site, INTESOL I think, that there's a big difference between being a member and being accredited by the College of Teachers. They said that normal membership is open to anyone that wants to pay up but getting to be an accredited member is a lot more difficult. If there's an interest in a College of Teachers school I suppose it's worth asking a few questions first about what their membership status is.

Elizabeth

[JimRoss]

A few facts about the College of Teachers classification.

There are two types of classification at the College of Teachers:

Institutional Membership
Accredited Centre

Institutional Membership - This is open to any institution that pays a small annual fee to the College of Teachers (CoT). The fee paying institution has to abide by the CoT code of practice and has the right to display the CoT badge on it's web site. This is only a sign of membership of the CoT in a similar way to membership of IATEFL or other professional organisations.

Accredited Centre - This is only open to institutions that have submitted the following and had it checked and approved by the academic board of the CoT: Course description, Course syllabus, Course trainers and their teaching qualifications, Course material, Training facilities, Grading scheme, Acceptance criteria and procedures plus quite a few other things. In addition to this, the organisation applying for accredited status has to
have been operating for a minimum of two years. Once approved, the accredited centre is empowered to award the Certificate in TESOL or the Advanced Certificate in TESOL depending on which of these two the accreditation request was submitted for.

Institutional members cannot issue the Advanced Certificate in TESOL or the Certificate in TESOL. Only accredited centres can issue these certificates.

For accredited centres in Spain and the rest of the world go to:
http://www.collegeofteachers.ac.uk/tesol/telfcentres.htm


Jim Ross,
Centre Co-oordinator,
EBC Servicios Ling��sticos Europe SL.

[swfa]

Hi there!
Too much about the College of teachers!!!!. Some of you sound as if you were working for them or using them as a marketing tool!!!!. Going back to this Fyne Formacion thingy. I do "know them". I used to work with with a guy who started with them kind of 4 months ago. He is know coordinating the school. I�ve visited him a couple of times and I have had the opportunity to see the course running and to meet the trainers. To tell you the truth I only spoke to them for a while but I honestly think they know the ropes. They have designed their own General and Business English manuals, which seem to be really complete and which have lots of practical activities. I have been teaching for ages and I would have liked to have something like that when I started. The trainees looked really happy. Knowing my friend, I am sure they are breaking their necks to make the students feel at home.

[b harmon]

I think this accreditation thing is becoming real important to many prospective TEFL students because as you can see there are just too many TEFL schools in Spain, all of them being the best according to them. Trinity, Celta, College of Teachers, etc. (I'm sure there are more) just gives you that extra feeling of security. I too took a gamble and booked a TEFL course from the US. Luckily, it paid off and I was very happy with my TEFL school and now I'm even happier because of how my working/legal status in Spain has turned out. So from someone who has been there (though I'm sure I'm still going to learn and experience a lot more!!, nice experiences I hope), all I can say is I'm one for accredited courses. You need to do your homework, check out references, ask a lot of questions. I agree with something I read on one of the recent threads on this forum which said something like the cheapest isn't always the best . With all the offers around, it is good to check out a lot of schools, call them, get answeres to your questions and after all is said and done, you just have to go with what feels right, your gut feel! Good luck.

[slaqdog]

Quote "I used to work with with a guy who started with them kind of 4 months ago. He is know coordinating the school" Unquote
Anybody else think that this tells you a lot about the place?
Sounds like the same micky mouse place I worked for all those years ago-quite a high turnover of teachers-I cannot imagine the owners or methods have changed.
PS I worked a 9 month contract in this place I do not think any of the above posters have first hand experience

[swfa]

wow!!! "Micky Mouse place"...that�s a touch of humour!!!!
Don�t know if what I said tells much about the place, I only know my friend and how he normally works. Sadly enough, I�ve "only" seen the students, the manuals and the trainers (Disney fans probably ) and they seem to be doing a good job (I guess that is not first hand experience)
Quote "anybody else think that" having worked for a place "all those years ago" gives you enough info to judge what they are doing now?. I�ve been a teacher for more than 15 years and I have never put up with somebody for 9 months if I wasn�t happy...in any case...who knows what things were like "all those years ago".

[SimoneS]

Hi Guys, Been away for a while and haven't logged on for a few weeks. Well, since I was one of the first to answer Phil's original question, I'd just like to make another comment in that I agree a little with what swfa said - I would hope that a TEFL organisation would have changed substantially in so many years. Are the owners the same? Did they have a TEFL programme when you 'taught' for them slaqdog?

I have to say that the company I did my training with offered me work at the end of the course and I declined. The TEFL side of the organisation was great, but the individual responsible for teachers and classes was a complete waste of space.

I know for a fact that many TEFL companies in Spain have had their high and low points, but unless you actually arrange to sit in on a few days of a course to see what its like before you enrol, one can never know for sure- even on recommendation.

Good luck to all. I'm sure Phil feels a bit more informed.

[slaqdog]

Simones and swfa have only joined Dave's since this thread started and they have only posted on this thread; both of them defend fyne: Smells fishy to me. I do not think their posts are to be trusted and they should declare their self interest. ie school management perhaps
I stand by my post: this is not a reputable training school, its merely a grubby money grabbing set up.

[swfa]

Morning slaqdog!!!!

Believe me if I tell you that I was thinking the same of you, but considering the fact that you seem to be soooooooooooo obsessed with this Fyne thingy (can�t imagine anybody having a look at eeeeevery single thread to see if I have posted on it or not!!!!!......kind of bored????, in love with my cheerful personality????).

In any case, I am beginning to be frightened!!!!!. Should I tell my friend to leave them as soon as possible????? (I will if you tell me to do it....!!!!) Do you think their apparently happy trainees are being forced to smile?????. Do you hate fish????? Is Mickey trying to get control of every single language school in the world (why do you hate him by the way??)????? Were those 9 months soooooooo traumatic????..Open your heart!!!!!!!!

By the way....could you please tell me what threads you post on? I do think we�ll become good friends but don�t have time to look for you....

[slaqdog]

[quote="swfa"] (can�t imagine anybody having a look at eeeeevery single thread to see if I have posted on it or not!!!!!......kind of bored????, in love with my cheerful personality????). unquote



look under your name;joined09/03 posts:3 you muppet!
but thanks you did make me laugh!