Job Discussion Forums

fdmi · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 13

I've read a few things on here and other places saying that having experience of teaching Callan Method can be seen as a huge negative when applying for jobs in certain places (particularly Eastern Europe). Is this true?

I have about a year's experience (inc. some business English), a BA (not education related), CELTA and 6 months Callan experience (at The Callan School in London), which was a necessary job to take because I couldn't find anything else at that time in London and thought any teaching is better than none.

Does anyone have any experience of previous Callan experience negatively affecting them? Or any opinions from people involved in recruitment?

Cheers.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I think Callan is a bit like Berlitz. Some employers like it, others don't.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

No, I wouldn't say it will be a 'huge negative' on your CV for Central/Eastern Europe. Your CELTA and business English experience will be more important to prospective employers, and they may not count your time at Callan as highly as your business teaching, but it shouldn't be anything like a big blot on your record. Don't worry Very Happy

fdmi · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 13

Cheers.

Now I only need to worry about the fact that I left a small part of my soul in a Callan classroom on Oxford street,

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

OP, what did you think of Callan?

Blingcosa · Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Guangdong

Callan is very popular in Eastern Europe. I would be willing to bet that the major reason employers are prejuduced against it is (as you know) that it requires none of the usual teaching skills - just teach to the method: fast pace, eye contact, body language, etc.

I have known a number of people who were entirely adequate Callan teachers, but could not teach conversation, business, etc. I would wager this has been the experience of Eastern European schools too.

That said, with your other qualifications, I don't think your Callan should count against you. I for one, hated teaching Callan, but now I'm glad I have the method as an extra string to my bow.

Good luck.

fdmi · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 13

depechemodefan1966 · Joined: 31 Jan 2015 Posts: 71

Did it for 7 weeks and that was enough. Bored the shit out of me.

I was often it the situation where you did a particular book / pages for a group, finish, next group came in and do exactly the same all over again.

Also, the books are outdated, with ridiculous questions that will never be needed. I once had a student who was missing for a few lessons, and when she came back, I asked how she was and where she had been. She couldn't answer me, but she could tell me that Napoleon was dead and that if you fell out of a top-story window and hit the ground, you would die!