Job Discussion Forums

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

Sorry, I didn't realize we were talking about EF when I posted before...

Some EF schools are authorized testing centres for Cambridge examinations, including the TKT. This means that they get paid a commission for every candidate who takes the exam at their centre/s. No wonder they are insisting that all new applicants for a job take the exam (even if they have already got CELTA or another teaching qualification).

Another nice little scam if ever I heard of one! Offering to pay for the first paper isn't actually costing them very much, as they will be paid commission on it anyway. You have to take all three modules if you want to have a 'basic' knowledge of teaching practices. The three modules are not organized according to degrees of difficulty; but rather, each module is an integral part of the whole. Taking only one does not really get you anywhere. I bet they start pushing the need to take all modules 'after' you have done the first module, and not 'before'. It's a bit like offering that first shot of heroin free... they just want to get you hooked in...

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

great analogy.

Flicka · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 68

I'm at an EF and the teachers will have to do the TKT on 28th April or thereabouts. Module 1, that is. I don't have to do it because I have the CELTA already. Anyway, what I don't really understand is what the point is to make all the teachers sit this exam if no training is offered beforehand. Seems like it's just a hoop to jump through rather than a genuine attempt to raise standards or offer an opportunity to build on knowledge/skills. My EF thought about offering training (and having me deliver it, for free of course) but that flopped after about session one because the powers that be deemed it better not to offer any training and just let people "study" in their own time, which of course no one will. Unless maybe a hasty look at the glossary the day before.
So it seems like they may satisfy the government this way but actual standards won't really differ much at all... pity, really.
Oh well, couple more months and I'm out! Smile

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

@ Flicka: Because they are not interested in having better teachers! Because it is eventually going to make EF lots of money! See my previous post on this topic.

It has nothing to do with the government. The government doesn't know the difference between TKT, CELTA, TESOL, or a fake certificate printed on a piece of toilet paper. It is not unknown for EF to 'invent' government regulations to cover their own tracks. I wonder how long it will take them to 'invent' a government regulation that says you have to have all three modules of the TKT, within a specified period of time after beginning to work here in Indonesia? Don't worry! I bet they will sugar-coat the pill by offering to foot the bill and allowing you, as an EF teacher, to repay it in monthly installments (deducted directly from your salary). What kind, considerate employers they are!!!

Of course they don't want to offer training prior to the test. If the teachers/applicants fail the test the first time, they will have to take it again. At their own expense, of course! Wow, a second lot of commission payments for EF!!! ... And I bet that eventually they will offer training courses... at the prospective teachers/applicants expense, once again.

I have rarely seen such a blatant piece of marketing strategy!!!

aku_tonpa · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 63

I'd rather take the TKT than what Penabur International are asking their native speaker teachers to take: the FCE test!

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

are u talking about the cambridge test? i just glanced at it quickly on their website. seemed more like a mini IELTS or iBT TOEFL test..... basically earning your an intermediate fluency level. we used to give these to our elementary students. if it is the same, i wonder why they want their teachers to take this test, seems it shoud be simple enough. is this for native speaker teachers or orther nationalities where english is their second language, such as india, philippines and singapore?

thanks in advance

aku_tonpa · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 63

It is the First Certificate in English from Cambridge ESOL. All teachers are required to sit it (local, Filipino, Indian and native English speakers).
I agree it should be simple for the native English speakers, but as to why a native speaker should sit a test designed for English language learners is puzzling.
As far as I know, all the teachers are confused as to why this is being implemented.
It may be a marketing ploy.
Penabur is now a Cambridge Test Centre and, as Phis stated earlier, they will get commission for every candidate.
I guess only the management really knows the answer.

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

@tNt and aku_tonpa: you are both right. FCE is NOT a test of teaching skills and knowledge, so insisting that native speaker teachers take this test, supposedly to assess their teaching abilities, is absolutely stupid (or crafty marketing)!!! I would refuse to do it, and explain why I was refusing. I would also be tempted to ask them up front if they are using this for marketing purposes.... just to see what their reaction was! But then, I am a bolshy little b*****d at times!!

Oh... and if they say 'the government ( or immigration) is insisting on it as a qualification'.... you can say... ******* ******* ******!! (Please fill in your own expletives). Laughing