Job Discussion Forums

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Gonna have to agree with Marquess here - Billy Orr does seem to be laying it on a bit thick. Oh, and look! It's his first post. Wink

Seriously, though, ITI is quality.

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

Don't worry, I couldn't really get the feedback I wanted from this forum so we made our decision independent of this information and before I even read Billy's comment. But still, thanks to all that commented! Very Happy

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Mike and Eleanor, congratulations on your decision, I hope everything goes well for you in Istanbul.

Best wishes,

By the way, everything I posted is factually correct and my sincere opinion. Instead of making snide comments, is there anything that I said that M or C would like to challenge? I shall be glad to justify what I said.

Marquess · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 165

How can you justify anything Prof Orr? You say you did the dip, then an Masters and then a few years later a PHD and are now an assistant Professor. Any info you had would be from the nineteen nineties.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

Maybe Prof Orr can justify lots because he shows that ITI has been regarded highly by most of its trainees for decades. Seriously, this is the first time I've ever heard such criticism levelled against ITI. Like billy orr, I too can say that ITI opened my eyes to so much in the EFL world. I was a much better teacher for having done the DELTA with ITI than I ever would have been otherwise. I'd say it was one of the few decent EFL centres in Istanbul when I was there. Oh, but that was 5 years ago. Outdated information now, I guess...

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Marquess · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 165

Prof. Orr does not give any evidence that ITI has been highly regarded by most of its trainees for decades.

What has ELT employment got to do with anything? The thread is about ITI.

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Marquess · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 165

You obviously haven't worked in a private university or a lise.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:04 pm Post subject:

@ Marquess: you don't provide any evidence for anything either, except that you personally didn't like some of the activities from the course. ITI, and its trainers are well-respected by the vast majority of its trainees. But that is only my experience and the opinion of 11 other trainees I was on a course with. I think yours is a very, very, small minority position.

Talking about lises and private universities is another matter entirely.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Dr. Orr, I'm not disagreeing with anything you say. Look at my post above - I was on here defending ITI already. I just thought your response was funny - sounded like one of those "testamonials" people put on their websites or leaflets:

"ITI Istanbul taught me all about communicative language teaching - and gave me whiter teeth! Thanks ITI!"

My response was just a good-natured chuckle at your expense, but a harmless one. Smile

OP - glad you made your decision. I don't think you'll regret it!

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Please excuse me coffeespoonman, I shouldn't have mentioned you.
I just thought you were some kind of stirrer.

Sorry, I'll get me coat.

Marquess · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 165

Since ITI claim that they have trained thousands of people (it is on their website) and 1 person says that 11 other people respected their trainers, regardless of when they took this course it means eh what exactly. Only 2 of the trainers are there from when Prof. Orr took his course.

tillymd · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 114

Dear Phishmb,

Sorry, couldn't resist, I'm going to see a phish show next month. Where do you live in Oregon? I lived in Eugene for 5 years, can't tell you how long ago that was, I'm sensitive about my age these days.

Have you taught ESL before? I don't know exactly what the CELTA course includes, but if you haven't taught before, and you have the time and money, it can't hurt. I learned to teach communicative style ESL "on the job" in Korea, although I definitely had about 6 months of embarrassing "what do I do next" moments. I had to buy a grammar in use book which I carried around with me. My first ESL experience probably would have been much less stressful if I had taken a CELTA course, I'm one of thoses poeple who likes to be prepared.

I don't believe taking a CELTA course after teaching for a few years would improve an individuals teaching ability, it's unfortunate CELTA is required by many employers. Does ITI provide job placement to graduates? Like any class, you'll get as much out of it as you put in.

Have fun, Tillymd (I've almost signed my real name a dozen times)

I wonder why people are afraid to use their real names. Do you think there are stalkers out there? Very Happy

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:15 pm Post subject:

Marquess, just idle curiousity getting the better of me: what course did you take with ITI? Did you pass it? What grade did you get? I ask because this may help me and other readers understand the utter bitterness of your posts.

As has been said before, many, many poeple have taken courses with ITI and felt that they progressed professionally. They felt that they had invested their money wisely. I count myself amongst them. This means that so far yours is the only bitter voice that is not happy with the service on offer from ITI. What does that say? More about you than ITI, perhaps?

But of course, I'm just an ITI trainer as well toeing the party line...