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advice on which TEFL institute to train with?
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naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Where did xiaoge go? Kind of suspicious that she only came to say bad things about the Boland school and then left.
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lifestream



Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 11
PostPosted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I agree. It is quite odd...moreso that she attacked their teaching methods rather than reputation.
I didn't agree with every teaching method when I was in school but there is always a reason behind it and if the method works, even if it is tedious, then so be it.

I've checked out Boland and they seem very reputable. They're quick to respond to e-mails and are extremely professional. I'll probably choose them to get TEFL certified.
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xiaoge



Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Location: CHINA
PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:22 am    Post subject: The Boland School for TEFL training - at your risk! Reply with quote
Sorry if anyone has missed me but I'm back!

Look, the Boland methodology is the pits!
You've seen my comments on their policy of 100% error correction in oral language production, which even includes beginnners - they make no distinction between fluency vs accuracy - this is contrary to all the research and plain criminal.
You also have my views on their emphasis on grammar - it's just to pad the syllabus and total overkill. But if you want to go crazy learning the subjunctive mood and gerunds vs infinitives, please do so! But you'll never have to teach it.
How much time did you spend agonizing over the International Phonetic Alphabet? Check the research - students should not be taught the IPA, It's simply too confusing.
Our trainers tried to get extra time from Boland in the course to spend more time evaluating trainee classes, but to little avail - she wouldn't shell out the additional training funds. Class evaluation is a critical skill because the teacher then shapes her own methodology from critically appraising another's.
I could go on - not enough computers for trainees; toilets breaking down for days at a time, student chairs collapsing .......
Happy teaching.
Xiaoge
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Devin_07



Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have been to half a dozen interviews here in Prague, and no one has asked to see my TEFL certification, a "generic" one if you will. If you can get to the point where you have an interview/demo lesson, that is all that matters.
As far as a job, at least in Prague, I have no reason to recommend CELTA over TEFL, or a big school over the small one. If I were you, I would read a couple grammar/pedagogy books, make up the name of a school to put on your resume, and save yourself a thousand bucks.
Devin
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merlin



Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 582
Location: Somewhere between Camelot and NeverNeverLand
PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
I have been to half a dozen interviews here in Prague, and no one has asked to see my TEFL certification, a "generic" one if you will. If you can get to the point where you have an interview/demo lesson, that is all that matters.

True, but don't forget the long-term. If one's goal is to just teach in Prague for a year and then go back to their home country and their normal line of work, then you're right.

On the other page, If you're thinking of continuing to better schools and/or outside the Czech Republic, you should seriously consider CELTA/Trinity.

As time goes by merkets get more sophisticated. 15 years ago a passport was all you needed. Then they started to expect you to speak and dress decently and remain resonably sober for evening classes. Then they started asking for certificates and demo lessons (unheard of 15 years ago). Now many directors are getting their certificates in the UK so they'll start demanding it of their teachers.

What is now isn't wahat will always be.
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lifestream



Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 11
PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:22 pm    Post subject: Re: The Boland School for TEFL training - at your risk! Reply with quote
xiaoge wrote:
Sorry if anyone has missed me but I'm back!

Look, the Boland methodology is the pits!
You've seen my comments on their policy of 100% error correction in oral language production, which even includes beginnners - they make no distinction between fluency vs accuracy - this is contrary to all the research and plain criminal.
You also have my views on their emphasis on grammar - it's just to pad the syllabus and total overkill. But if you want to go crazy learning the subjunctive mood and gerunds vs infinitives, please do so! But you'll never have to teach it.
How much time did you spend agonizing over the International Phonetic Alphabet? Check the research - students should not be taught the IPA, It's simply too confusing.
Our trainers tried to get extra time from Boland in the course to spend more time evaluating trainee classes, but to little avail - she wouldn't shell out the additional training funds. Class evaluation is a critical skill because the teacher then shapes her own methodology from critically appraising another's.
I could go on - not enough computers for trainees; toilets breaking down for days at a time, student chairs collapsing .......
Happy teaching.
Xiaoge


Firstly I think your post is at least part hyperbole and distorting the facts. There's a tendency for people to extrapolate a one time experience and extend it to what must happen on other occassions, which is a flaw in reasoning.

Secondly I doubt either of us are theorists in pedagogy. If that's the system they provide and that's what allows me to work, and if it's a good certificate I could care less (within reason) about their teaching methods.

Sorry for being a skeptic...
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merlin



Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 582
Location: Somewhere between Camelot and NeverNeverLand
PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
that's the system they provide and (if) that's what allows me to work, and if it's a good certificate I could care less (within reason) about their teaching methods.
(Bold and one if added)
That's exactly the point under discussion and those are bif IFs

xiaoge was just stating facts from his experience and since this is a discussion forum for exactly that purpose, I don't exactly see the relevance of your post at all. He (or she for all I know) recognises other people have other opinions and other experiences and always prefaces his statements with recognition that these are his views.
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naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home