Job Discussion Forums

[illinois74]

I just wanted to share my two cents on Ms. Tesche's very poor communication and sub-standard recruitment process.

While I believe a DOS should always take the time to reply to applicants, it would be wise to use appropriate language,too, if s/he intends to come across as an educated and competent recruiter. So 'Dear Mr X' sounds better than a casual 'hello'; 'many thanks for your message' sounds better than ' I read your note' (note? what note?), and so on and so forth.

Likewise, it would be interesting to know why Ms Tesche failed to respond when I questioned why she would only recruit male teachers below the age of 34, preferably traveling on an EU passport.

Interestingly enough, I fit that profile and yet no answer from this school whose website flaunts a CUP logo, which perhaps ought to have read ESOL/Cambridge University, if that were to be a genuine partnership.

http://www.juttatesche.com/somos.htm

Good luck Ms Tesche, 'maestra de Boston'!

[Samantha]

First of all, you did the school a big favor by throwing out her link here. She will now receive plenty of applications and be able to hire who she chooses, with the kind of attitude she is searching for. Obviously you are not a match for her or for her school. That's her right and it doesn't make her unprofessional. I wouldn't hire you either, after reading the uppety attitude displayed in your post.

Have you worked in Mexico in the past? This culture handles things differently than you are used to. Instead of outright telling you to go away, she is quite likely ignoring you in hopes you will. Think about some other things too. There are many school owners who struggle with writing in English. It's summer vacation right now, really HOT, and many businesses are operating on limited hours or closed completely.

It's a very different world here in Mexico, and if you are coming down and hope to succeed you have to change YOUR attitude. Don't expect schools to change for you. Don't expect anything here to change for you. It's not going to happen. Come and enjoy things the way they are or don't come at all, since you will only be miserable. Good luck.

[illinois74]

Many thanks for your unsolicited attack and major case of second guessing

1. First, I believe it is my right to express my concerns or share my views on close shaves with less than professional ELT employers. While some teachers might benefit from the information I posted, I am equally confident thousands of applications will now pour into Ms. Tesche�s inbox as a result of my message. I wish them all the best in their endeavors.

2. It is not your place to decide what my standards are when I choose to apply for a job. In my book, poor communication or sloppy language skills are a sign of unprofessionalism, regardless of whether that occurs in Mexico or Eastern Siberia. Similarly, it is not your place to volunteer not to hire me since I have not applied for any jobs you may have posted on this website (unless of course you are a spokesperson for the verbally-challenged Ms. Tesche).

3. In your myopic vision of the world, you also failed to read that I did NOT find Ms.Tesche unprofessional for nor hiring me. I do not honestly know where you found that piece of information. However, providing feedback on the status of applications is standard practice among most employers, whether in the ELT industry or not. Again, it is up to me whether I should make allowances on account of the scorching weather or limited business hours.

4. You wrote that �There are many school owners who struggle with writing in English� . This is a serious claim and is tantamount to saying that there are many pilots who struggle with flying planes. Quite frankly, it is unfortunate that a native Bostonian would find it hard to cut and past a template reply , if unable to create an ad hoc one at all. Whether you imply that it ok to work for any old employer or adjust to the status quo is beyond the remit of my personal interests and the scope of my original message.

5. Finally, whether you find my tone �uppety� is merely a matter of taste. By the same token, I find yours verging on patronizing: �if you are coming down and hope to succeed you have to change YOUR attitude. Don't expect schools to change for you. Don't expect anything here to change for you. It's not going to happen. Come and enjoy things the way they are or don't come at all, since you will only be miserable�

Sad to realize you�re just going with the flow. I have always thought teachers choose this profession because they want to make a change � however little that may be. You are doing the average Mexican student great disservice by conflating a string of stereotypes into a lower quality benchmark.

I hope you are at least enjoying the beach.

[PlayadelSoul]

Things don't change because people like them just the way they are.

In my eight years in Mexico, I have run into many teachers with your attitude. They think that they know better and want to change the world to fit their expectations of it. Normally, they drive their co-workers nuts, don't care a bit about their students, and go running home to mommy and that little cocoon she had created for her little boy.

You are already bitching about things before you even arrive. My advice would be to stay in the cocoon and save everyone the headache.

[illinois74]

What a rugged, sun-scorched, maverick you must be!

I have never written that I know better (than others), but I know what is better for me. And that school I was referring to is - again thanks for taking words and ideas out of context and make such sweeping generalizations - is a case in point

Mothers, cocoons...? What's that got to do with anything.You've been out in the sun for too long, PlayadelSoul..

How can a personal impression lead to such uncalled-for reactions?

Could it be that you're worried your students may be reading this?