Job Discussion Forums

gregd75 · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject:

I'm not exactly sure, but it will affect schools and universities more that language schools. However, if the language school is incorporated in the SEP, then there will be changes (I assume)

Apparently, the first step of the project is to have all language teachers certified. You know how restaurants are awarded Michelin stars, right? Well, the second stage of the SEP programme is to do something similar to this for schools English programmes.

I think its a good idea. It'll definitely improve English language teaching. How it will be implemented is the big question.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject:

Of course, it�s a good idea, but let's not hold our collective breaths waiting for things to improve in the near future Rolling Eyes

.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

One can only hope, but really, I have seen ESL education steadily decline over the past 2 decades, so perhaps it has gotten to the point where it has to improve. There are some language schools (a few) that require a degree and a TESOL certificate of some kind, and pay a decent wage, with decent benefits, but they charge the tuition to match, and are really only for the elite, price are not accessible to most people. More and more good English education is only available for those who can pay, and pay well.

latif · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 31 Location: Oakland, California

I'm just wondering, there are so many experience and qualified teachers - have any of you thought about starting a reasonably priced high quality professional school ? Seems to me that'd be one the best ways to improve things ?

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Really? That's a lot of faith to put into SEP, which in my experience here isn't seen very positively.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Isla Guapa · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject:

Good analysis, Phil. Maybe the classic business model is something the owners of language schools in Mexico need to take a crash course in!

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Interesting opinion. What I've seen here in DF at the private school level (secundaria, not language schools) is a move away from SEP standards, seen as irrelevant or too low. The ASF for example runs an American curriculum, almost completely in English and has been negotiating to have SEP loosen up the red tape that drags them down.

I can think of half a dozen other private secundarias doing similar, though there's a large difference between language schools and primary/secondary education of course.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

My point is that SEP is moving towards using the CEF as a measuring stick of knowledge of the language. The CEF is a standard that is internationally recognized, unlike a current SEP certificate of proficiency. If a student can perform at a B1 or B2 level, they are normally considered proficient enough to work in an English speaking country.

Schools that work with their own measuring sticks do so at their own risk. I am sure some will do quite well. Others won't. Only the future will tell, I guess.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

To Phil and Playadelsoul...you two are basically making the same points, from a business point of view albeit from different business models.

Harmon Hall's move to a Cambridge ESOL model is that of a business chain looking to differentiate itself from its competitors, which are other chains like Interlingua, Berlitz, Wall Street Institute, etc. HH is tightening up the supply chain by eliminating the need to pay for R&D into their own standards and methods in favor of an off the shelf system provided by a cheaper (and well known) supplier. This will give them an advantage in HH eyes in the current market.

Phil, you are talking about a business model that reacts to the HH model. For lack of a better analogy, the corner taco stand vs Taco Inn. There are advantages to that model indeed, one which I believe in and work in myself. The benefits there are local but command a higher premium both on prices to the customer and on service costs (staff mostly). I'm sure you've heard the same as I have from numerous new students - "I was at HH/Berlitz/Interlingua for X number of years and failed, so I'm here to see you".

Walmart pioneered a lot of what HH does, which is to cut costs not so much to the customer but to the supply chain. HH has run a successful business model for a long time now on the same idea and is demonstrating that it will continue to do so.

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Guy, I understand your point but you are mistaken about the R&D angle. HH has invested a ton of man hours and money into reasearching the needs of the Mexican market, developed many new programs to meet those needs and has done a top to bottom retraining of its workforce. It is not just a matter of choosing some books and signing a contract with Cambridge.

Cambridge has very high standards and does not just decide to hand over their entire catalog of ESOL certification programs to just anyone. We have been working on this for over five years. In fact, I look forward to the day when we start with our first CELTA course. I know that is going to tick off the faux "purists" who have been badmouthing my company at every given opportunity.

I don't particularly like the Taco Bell vs. taco stand analogy, because taco stands are generally better than Taco Bell. Although, I did recently visit the States and stop in a Taco Bell for the first time in 13 years. It wasn't Mexican food, but it was tasty.