Job Discussion Forums

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

Greetings again,

Things are going generally well with the TEFL course through the VivePeru program here in Trujillo. Classes and observation and now preparation for teaching have kept me fairly busy, although I did have time to go out to Huanchaco Beach on Sunday, which is rapidly becoming a favorite acitivity for me although the red sunburn on my neck and face is telling me to cool the outdoor activities for awhile.

Impressions of Trujillo 2 weeks in are still very positive. The city does have a tranquil vibe, far from a party capital and lacking the cosmopolitan energy one might get from Lima. But some adventures exist in even the most mundane aspects of daily life. Of all the taxis out on the streets of Trujillo, my destiny was to pick the one with a mute driver. Or should I say he selected me. This made for many interesting moments of me speaking in bad Spanish and him replying through a series of undeterminable hand motions. Such is life and the ride probably topped the destination as his tires had less traction than a pair of rubber bands making for eventful stopping. And to think some people spend hundreds of dollars to visit amusement parks! Total cost of taxi thrill ride was 3 soles.

In regards to UK Britanico and the TEFL course, the full picture is starting to form for me and if choosing to take the course again, I might pass. Then again the time thus far in Trujillo has been wonderful and I was correct in my assertation that it was a city that moves at about the same speed as I do. Major concerns for me include the struggle to get the appropriate materials to learn and prepare, and sorry to say, the sometimes overbearing emphasis on teaching British English when no British person exists on the Institute staff and many of the instructors pro-offer little expertise in that area.

To give them credit, the staff and Institute are very friendly, well intentioned, surprisingly serious about their mission, and have formulated a distinct method of teaching which they generally follow to the tilt. So all in all, could be far, far worse. In fact, in light of some recent posts regarding the scam in Casma and with knowldege of other ethics problems at other Peruvian schools, the biggest compliment I might pay is that the Institute does seem upfront and honest about everything.

Well, I will leave it at that for now. Will add to the thread as observations warrant me to contribute.

vaughnyb · Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 39

Great Info thanks for the post and update keep em coming! I m counting down to when I can start my travels, I will probbably be attending the school in July 2007!

Good Luck

Vaughn

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

I want to score a touchdown too.

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

There is quite an emphasis in Trujillo on British English - the reason is the domination of the market here by the American giant El Cultural. Other schools cannot compete with them and so try to create their own niche as providers of British English - despite their obvious lack of Brits! Still, it nice for me to see my nation's flag every now and again.....

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

keepwalking,

Good point. And no offense or slight towards or against the Brits. Truthfully, I can understand the desire for its usage since it is the origin of the mother tongue. Only surprised to experience such stringent discipline in its usage at the Institue. Only a minor whining point.....

Hope you are well, read here that you are going on vacation. Enjoy the experience and I will PM you soon after you get back. Or PM me if you want.

vaughnyb · Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 39

Is there a difference between American English and British English. If there is, which is in more demand, do prospective employers really care which type of English is taught at the school where you received your cert. from?

vaughnyb

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

Vaughn,

It appears that American English is in more demand, but most reputable TEFL courses are going to cover the same ground. As Keepwalking pointed out, UK Britanico uses the teaching of British English as sort of a market niche, a way to attract better enrollment and offer alternatives against their primary competition in Trujillo, El Cultural.

One minor bonus of UK Britanico is that it does have language instiutes throughout the north, from cities like Trujillo and Chiclayo, to the Jungle locale of Iquitos and the highland city of Huancayo.

I think my biggest limiting factor will be my lack of experience in language teaching, not my TEFL cert. being from an institute that emphasizes British English. In the long run, for you Vaughn, this could be an interesting calling card for you to use. You mentioned traveling on to Brazil. If you take the VivePeru TEFL, you could then add familiarity with British English usage to your CV, in addition to being a native American speaker with a TEFL. May help, may not....but I hardly see it detracting from employment options.

vaughnyb · Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 39

Nine-is-one, thank you great points, thats the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks alot.

P.S. Your correct there is no number ten.
Very Happy

Aramas · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:10 pm Post subject:

Nineisone, can you confirm that El Britanico has a school in Iquitos? They mention it on their old site but the current version doesn't list it.

I would be very interested in a comprehensive review of the course, although it would probably be better to wait until you've finished it Smile

Oh, and what in particular causes you to say that 'you might pass' on the course if you had the opportunity again? Is it just the 'British English' (I find that funny) thing?

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I can confirm the school is there - or it was yesterday! It's on Bolivar/the Malecon, just past the military headquarters, near the statue of the pink dolphin. They also have a second school nearby and seem to have a pretty thriving trade with lots of young people in and out all the time. They offer Spanish classes too, if you need that.

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

Hi Aramas,

Will try to get verification for you on Iquitos. My trainer had mentioned that a previous student after graduating and being offered employment with UK Britanico chose to go to the Iquitos branch. This was apparently just a few months ago and her and I were talking today about their start-up branch now forming in Lima. So let me ask around and find out about size, number of students/instructors, requirements, etc.... and get back to you. I figured when I mentioned Iquitos, it was going to peak some interest, with it being in the jungle.

Yeah, even making points like saying I might pass on retaking the course is probably presumptive as I am just now starting my third week and should see the whole course through before making a full assessment. So I will aim for a thorough write up the first week of November. And no Im not that sensitive about the whole British English thing. Only found it mildly interesting and amusing, and probably should have caught myself from thinking out loud before writing it here.

I will also try to find out what is up with the website being so outdated.....Makes them look kinda bad.

Aramas · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject:

Actually, I just noticed that the El Britanico home page that I had been looking at ( http://www.ukplanet.net/ukelbritanico/index.shtml ) has an article called "Summer 2005 News", so it might be a bit out of date Smile

If that's their current home page then I suspect that they would be better served by a blog-style front page so that they can update it easily without getting elbow deep in html.

Keepwalking -So you're in Iquitos right now? Lucky devil. I hope you're planning on posting a trip report somewhere Very Happy

vaughnyb · Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 39

Aramas: Try this link, I believe this is current.

http://www.ukplanet.net/tefl/

vaughnyb

Aramas · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:06 am Post subject:

ichbinakser · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Bremen

Hello Guys I have been reading, and I feel that I need to let you know one thing, well britanico has many good points and is in a big competition with the cultural in Trujillo, well any way I coul not get a job over there because Im German and they do not teach german, but I was teaching at the National University and I was looking for a Spanish school and some one recomend me Britanico, and let me tell you that Britanico as a English School works good but if you want to learn Spanish you should take the lessons in a little School called www.fioreperu.com the owner is a pretty young guy but simple and honest and for my experience I can recomend you this place top learn Spanish have a look if you want also on here http://www.fioreperu.com/book/index.php .

Well I just wanted to help for the new people going to Trujillo nd that wants to take Spanish courses, where to do it.