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Will-Excel TESOL

 
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reddrake



Joined: 04 Apr 2008
Posts: 47
Location: Riyadh

PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:49 pm    Post subject: Will-Excel TESOL Reply with quote

I'm planning to join their study n work program. Anybody have any experience with this place?
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DoubleDutch



Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 51
Location: China

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did you do a search in these forums? Here are some relevant and interesting threads:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=50619
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=61871
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=61370
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=67824
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=66260

There seems to be quite some skepticism about this place, but no actual negative experiences with them (rather the opposite). I'd say make up your own mind. I am considering joining their program as well.
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reddrake



Joined: 04 Apr 2008
Posts: 47
Location: Riyadh

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the reference........kinda have a good feeling about this place and planning to go ther for their june intake...Thanks again
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daveups



Joined: 07 Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Location: Lost somewhere in Zhongguo!

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I took their program at the end of last year and was very satisfied.

None of the negative comments from the posts above seem to have any actual first-hand experience with the group. As an above poster mentioned, it just seems to be skeptics.

They're a great group of guys up there and they treat you really well both during the training month as well as throughout the six months at your sponsor school. Lots of follow-up and support.

Perhaps the best aspect of the course is that they teach you specifically how to adjust to China, and I'm sure many people here can vouch that China is a very different place than the West.

I hope you enjoy it up there and wherever you end up doing your teaching term.
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Eyrick3



Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 161
Location: Beijing, China

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've also taken the Will-Excel TESOL course. In fact, I've posted a number of replies in the above links.

The course is very comprehensive and does an excellent job of preparing you for the classroom. The hands-on teaching experience and feedback is ideal.

A neat aspect of the Will-Excel school is that they have provided a bunch of "extras" that really help show the depth of the program. From their main website, you can view video testimonials, a blog they keep fairly up-to-date, as well as a link to a photo album.
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xiao51



Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 208

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:54 am    Post subject: Will-Excel Reply with quote

Eyrick3 wrote:
I've also taken the Will-Excel TESOL course. In fact, I've posted a number of replies in the above links.

The course is very comprehensive and does an excellent job of preparing you for the classroom. The hands-on teaching experience and feedback is ideal.

A neat aspect of the Will-Excel school is that they have provided a bunch of "extras" that really help show the depth of the program. From their main website, you can view video testimonials, a blog they keep fairly up-to-date, as well as a link to a photo album.


Dear Eyrick,

Thank you for the above-post. Its follows closely what I wrote the OP in a PM.

Actually Will-Excel has a quite a good name in the business in China; I have had several colleagues who have passed through their program and all have done well and most are still in China. A cut way above average, to tell the truth.

Thanks again for your post.

Xiao
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sharpe88



Joined: 21 Oct 2008
Posts: 226

PostPosted: Sat May 02, 2009 10:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I looked at some of their lesson plans they have floating on the internet.

Sex, politics, and religion are no-nos in the Chinese classroom (and usually other classrooms) but their conversational lessons seem to be based on these. I picked up a somewhat preachy Western-value centric vibe in those materials.

I'm a little surprised they can get away with this in their classes...
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tuvia



Joined: 29 Mar 2006
Posts: 34
Location: beijing

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2009 5:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

of course the decision is yours but, i wouldnt do this program. or any program that locks you into six months "training". this training bit is actually work, and you will be doing the same job as others you will meet who are working far fewer hours for far more money. of course they want you to be obligated to work for six months for them, err, i'm sorry, "train" for six months- the so-called sponsor schools are paying their company well-above the money per your teaching hour, then they give you a small percentage of that.

this is nothing but a glorified middle-man, offering you a useless piece of paper they are trying to pass off as some crucial and legitimate certificate. and by the way, these video testimonials they are offering on their website are interesting, in that i have met two of the people and by the time i talked with them they werent anywhere near so positive about their experiences.

if you do this, make sure they can provide the real, legal, work visa (and dont let them dump the phrase 'business visa' on you- that allows you to attend classes , e.g. chinese classes or in their case, tefl classes, but it doesnt legally allow you to draw a salary in china). and do the math for what they are offering pay-wise, and compare it to what you would make if you worked that hard for an 'average' salary. good luck.
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daveups



Joined: 07 Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Location: Lost somewhere in Zhongguo!

PostPosted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
this is nothing but a glorified middle-man, offering you a useless piece of paper they are trying to pass off as some crucial and legitimate certificate.


The TESOL Diploma is actually accredited by the Heilongjiang Bureau of Education. Our graduation ceremony was attended by a government representatitve who signed off on our diplomas.

I don't see any other cert/diploma out there that has official government accreditation.

Quote:
if you do this, make sure they can provide the real, legal, work visa


Everyone in my group received a work residence permit within a couple weeks or arrival. We had to undergo a medical check and interview at some office downtown.

Quote:
six months "training". this training bit is actually work


Call it what you will, but we received feedback each month on our performance in the classroom as a teacher as well as outside of the classroom as an employee. I felt this feedback to be invaluable in helping me improve as a teacher and employee.
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rgold300



Joined: 26 May 2009
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm also seriously looking into the Will-Excel program. A question for the grads of the program- did you end up staying in China to teach? Do they offer you any support with finding a job outside the Harbin once the 6 months is over?
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sharpe88



Joined: 21 Oct 2008
Posts: 226

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

maybe it's just me, but i'd rather get an internationally recognized diploma over one approved by the HLJ Bureau of Education...
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