Job Discussion Forums

allntowns · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

I will be having an interview on Tuesday 16th May for a job at the Bell School. Is anybody currently working for them or worked there in the past? What is the school like? I've heard good reports but would appreciate info from teachers who have worked there.

Cheers,
Allan

zewd · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Posts: 42 Location: Lynchburg, VA, USA

From what I've heard, they hire you as a contractor, which means they may not guarantee you full-time hours or help with a visa. Beyond that, they're supposed to be a good school to work for.

xiao ge · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Thailand

Hi
You've probably had your interview by now, but here's some info anyway.
See if you can check out the DOS first. Bell doesn't screen their DOS appointments, certainly in Thailand anyway, and when things go to pot, as they did (and are doing) here, they simply circle the wagons and carry on regardless. Not a nice mob to work for. Otherwise, good luck! Smile

allntowns · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

What exactly do you mean by DOS and what happened to you?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Director of Studies. Chain schools can be great or horrible depending on the management at that specific school. You need information (as you originally posted) from someone who knows the Bell School in Prague in particular. I haven't heard any horror stories about it personally, but my ties to language schools in the city are currently pretty tenuous, so my info is not up to date.
If you have taken a TEFL course in Prague, the course staff should know the current reputation of most of the better established schools, including Bell. Otherwise, you can seek out the word on the street, or at your interview (if this is not all moot already by now!) ask to speak to some teachers after the official interview, so that you can have some contact with them without the school officials around.