|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Aussie Chick
Joined: 17 May 2007
Posts: 104
Location: Australia
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 1:20 pm Post subject: CELTA Course - Now they've changed their minds!!!! |
 |
|
Today, 18 hours after being told I was accepted for the course, and given details on how to pay for the deposit, I was sent this via email:
| Quote: |
Dear [Aussie Chick],
Before you have paid the deposit, we would like to inform you that although we are offering you a place, we would like to remind you that one of the key criteria for passing the course is to be able to analyse and explain new language clearly for students. This is an area you found difficult both in the application task and in the interview itself and so together with the offer of a place, we are also giving you a written warning that lack of language awareness can result in the failure of the course.
Please find The Language Warning document attached. Please sign it if you agree with its terms and send it back to us. Only then we can consider you accepted on the course officially.
Best regards, |
(emphasis mine)
Has anyone seen this before?
Is this unusual, or just a legal way for them to cover their backs in case I fail?
I just think it's rather unprofessional to accept me into the course 2 hours after I had the phone interview, and then 18 hours later send me an email saying that I might be accepted if I sign their disclaimer.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: CELTA Course - Now they've changed their minds!!!! |
|
|
| Aussie Chick wrote: |
Today, 18 hours after being told I was accepted for the course, and given details on how to pay for the deposit, I was sent this via email:
| Quote: |
Dear [Aussie Chick],
Before you have paid the deposit, we would like to inform you that although we are offering you a place, we would like to remind you that one of the key criteria for passing the course is to be able to analyse and explain new language clearly for students. This is an area you found difficult both in the application task and in the interview itself and so together with the offer of a place, we are also giving you a written warning that lack of language awareness can result in the failure of the course.
Please find The Language Warning document attached. Please sign it if you agree with its terms and send it back to us. Only then we can consider you accepted on the course officially.
Best regards, |
(emphasis mine)
Has anyone seen this before?
Is this unusual, or just a legal way for them to cover their backs in case I fail?
I just think it's rather unprofessional to accept me into the course 2 hours after I had the phone interview, and then 18 hours later send me an email saying that I might be accepted if I sign their disclaimer.
|
Legally, there is nothing you can do if you fail. They don't guarantee a pass, in fact many do fail. One person in my class failed and she was a lawyer. Her problem was that she argued all the time with the tutors and never accepted any criticism. She deserved to fail and i would have complained if she had passed, as would have most of the other students.
I think they want to warn you that you better brush up on your grammar because it isn't very good and not to take the course lightly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fluffyhamster
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I can imagine the POWER that the trainers feel in dishing out that sort of warning...I'd advise caution (first time I've ever heard of a FORMAL, WRITTEN WARNING!)...who knows, they could be just itching to fail you already, unless you can change your surname to Chomsky or Pinker and become able to balance a stonking great grammar on your nose in only a matter of weeks (all the while clapping for fish).
Anyway, I find it a little amusing actually that they think that there is no contradiction between developing the necessary language awareness in a matters of WEEKS (not years) whilst being shackled to a rather rigid/inflexible methodology and mindset.
Unless this were something they do with at least half the potential trainees, I myself would be tempted to tell them where to stick it; then again, I suppose it could be an indication of rigorous standards and ultra-professionalism, them not mentioning failure as only a very remote possibility before cackling and taking your money at an earlier meeting. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Aussie Chick
Joined: 17 May 2007
Posts: 104
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: CELTA Course - Now they've changed their minds!!!! |
|
|
| Gordon wrote: |
| I think they want to warn you that you better brush up on your grammar because it isn't very good and not to take the course lightly. |
I literally can't afford to take the course lightly - I'm leaving my current job and uprooting my life in order to embark on a career teaching English. Obtaining my Celta was my first step.
I have written back asking for clarification on where they thought I went wrong. I will consider what they say before I decide to go ahead with the course.
| fluffyhampster wrote: |
| Unless this were something they do with at least half the potential trainees, I myself would be tempted to tell them where to stick it; |
That's why I posted this here - to see if it's something other schools (or even this one in particular) do.
I still think it's unprofessional to say I was accepted and send me details on how to pay the deposit, and then 18 hours later, go "oh sory, did we say you were accepted? No, sign this form (even though we warned you of the seriousness of the course in the phone interview) before we'll accept you (and too bad if you've already paid your money)". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fluffyhamster
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm guessing that they weren't happy with the stuff in bold: 'we would like to remind you that one of the key criteria for passing the course is to be able to analyse and explain new language clearly for students. This is an area you found difficult both in the application task'.
So, just think, with the CELTA you'll learn how to patronize the hell out of students, all from hasty notes scrawled on the back of a beer mat (forget GENUINE/real language, truly exhaustive and comprehensive research, a desire to make a real difference for the average student etc etc).
Take a look at englishdroid's 'Celta Without Tears' page online (if it's still available). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| fluffyhamster wrote: |
| I suppose it could be an indication of rigorous standards and ultra-professionalism, them not mentioning failure as only a very remote possibility before cackling and taking your money at an earlier meeting. |
If this is the case then I actually think it's a good idea to send a warning--better not to go into it expecting it to be a breeze. Aussie Chick, it sounds like you're taking it (the course) seriously, but from what I remember not everyone does. I think sometimes people just assume they will pass, and there are probably some shady TEFL certification courses out there that just pass everyone. Gordon gave us an example of why people shouldn't automatically pass.
I think your plan of contacting them before deciding is a good one. It might just be a simple matter of brushing up on some grammar rules. Don't despair!
It does seem a bit unprofessional first to admit you and then backtrack and basically give you a provisional admission.
d |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject: |
| | |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
