Job Discussion Forums

[dvavrina]

Hello,

I am writing to very belatedly warn those looking at TEFL certificate ESL teacher training programs in the United States about International House�Portland, which I believe is now located in Lake Oswego, OR.

I completed the Cambridge ESOL Examinations CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) program there in Nov/Dec 2004, receiving an unusually high �Pass B� grade for the course. MOD EDIT

In addition, the �computer lab� that International House--Portland claimed to have was mostly not functional, so only a few of their computers actually worked. I was saved by the fact that I had my own labtop.

Also, the director of the school had a strange idiosyncrasy about not wanting to buy copy/printing paper. During the month-long, full-time training period, each CELTA training student had a maximum number of copies he/she could make. If you went over the maximum number, you had to pay the front desk person to get more copy-making capability from the copy machine, which tracked how many copies you made and deducted them from your total.

Even though my CELTA training fee was expensive enough, I ended up paying a lot of extra money for copies. I even had to by a whole puncher because the school�s whole-puncher had to be put together after each time you used it and, apparently, they were too cheap to buy another one. Also, at one point, when a composition was due, the computers in the school�s computer lab wouldn�t print, so I had to run over to Kinko�s and spend a lot of money just to print out my writing assignment.

Again, I would definitely avoid International House�Portland (Lake Oswego) if you are considering a TEFL certificate training program.

[Kootvela]

Though this one seems to be based on personal experience, there are some things I'd like to clarify.

Before signing up, what were the conditions for the course? Did you sign anything stating what you are going to get, or was it verbal promise? Also, do other course participants feel this way? If you were promissed things and can prove, submitting the receipts and a written claim could do.

When I was taking my course at IH Vilnius, the computer lab-we were promissed to be given- was full of kids of the summer camp. We could copy as much as we needed. There were no drinks or snacks provided for the month either, which felt odd, having people stay full 8 hours per day only with a lunch break. But that's why we call such places 'certificate mills'.

[denise]

OK, so they were a bit stingy with the copies. What about the quality of the program itself? Did it prepare you adequately for your first teaching job?

It is odd that you're posting this three years after the fact.

d

[ls650]

One could argue that the problems you encountered (stingy with school supplies, lack of resources) are common throughout EFL schools.

It sounds like they just give you a more realistic feel for what to expect in the real world - kudos to them!!

[sweeney66]

Funny, that happened at my CELTA training course too at IH Playa del Carmen. The entire class complained about it and we were told that it was to get us used to teaching in "the real world". I said, "I'll get used to it when they're paying me, thanks!" Other than that, It was a great course.

[spiral78]

We had the same situation on my TEFL course in Prague. Copy General's nearby outlet profited enormously from us.

I think this is ubiquitous.

(wow, I think my spelling skills are highly suspect at the moment- please forgive! it's 5 am where I am... both 'enormous' and 'ubiquitous' look entirely wrong to me!)

But the point denise made is valid. If it's just because of the availability of in-house copying, that's no real reason to avoid a course.

Whole puncher?