Job Discussion Forums

taipaishan · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 19

I hope I have the correct froum. I was wondering if anyone here has attended TEFL International-Zhuahi, China? I wanted to here different inpressions on their TEFL program and any experiences, good or bad.
Thanx,
Mike

kingofdalian · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 10

Last year I was looking into TEFL training programs in China. I checked out a few and chose the Boland School in Suzhou. It was a good course. You do a lot of work and get to see some of the city at night. From talking to other people it is definately better than the Zhuhai school. Better location and program. I reccomend it to all my friends. Plus you pretty much get your pick of jobs when you graduate. (www.boland-china.com) Good stuff check it out

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

Do yourself a favour, get a Cambridge or Trinity qualification.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Well, interesting how people can have such different opinions on some things eh. Smile

I had a great time at Boland, I do feel that they prepared me very well for teaching ESL, not just in China but anywhere.
I don't know about the insurance bit, I had another insurance already, but about the other things I'd like to say it was really very good.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Susie, I don't get it...

Did you write this on another thread?
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=26048

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Well, I have no personal experience with Boland although I once dealt with the lady by emails and she came across to me as fiercely self-confident (not bad for a businesswoman, but for an instructor...?).

There was a period of transition which I called in some thread "turmoil". I was tipped off by Susie at that time about some troubles; I also heard from someone else that things were looking down for a while.

The fact that Boland had to move house says a thing or two, doesn't it?

I do not wish to arbitrate in this case - TEFL Zhuhai or BOland - but Zhuhai most probably is located in a more attractive part of China. If both certs are of equal value then choose location!

kingofdalian · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 10

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

peabocardigan · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 63

k-canuck · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1

As a former Boland Tefl-er, I would like to add my "two cents" here. Personally, I found the program to be well-organized - gruelling at times, but well-worth it for the practical knowledge which you come away with from the course. It is definitely worth the money - I believe it goes a much longer way than CELTA in China as the program in Suzhou is catered to the Chinese market. Katie is a remarkable businesswoman, but above all, a remarkable instructor. As for location, Suzhou beats Zhuhai hands down. Yes, it may be milder in the winter in Zhuhai, but Suzhou is leaps and bounds above Zhuhai in terms of culture as well as convenience due to its proximity to Shanghai - yes, Zhuhai is close to Macau and Hong Kong, but at least entering Shanghai from Suzhou doesn't require a trip through Chinese customs. Having lived in Shenzhen, Zhuhai's twin city for a year, I think I'm in a good position to comment on this point.

Lastly, there is some concern over the Boland school having moved locations. Considering that they have moved into a larger and more convenient office in Suzhou, I'm not so certain that such "moves" are necessarily a bad thing, wouldn't you agree?

qiaohan · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 24 Location: Shenzhen

Y E S !! I did take the TEFL International course in Zhuhai at GLV and I can recommend it. It is close to the Trinity program - 120 intensive classroom hours, lots of homework, live classroom teaching practice, English corners etc etc and there were only 8 people in the class. Most schools that require a cert will accept an 'equivalent' Cambridge or Trinity cert like this one. Speaking for myself, it has opened more opportunities for me. But sign up early so you can get the time you want.

Stay away from the online diploma mills...

Debra Gambrill · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

I took the Boland School course in Brno and was very pleased. It was intense and I felt somewhat overwhelmed at times, but all in all it was a great experience. I have been teaching for 13 years in Slovakia but wanted a TEFL certificate to get a good summer job. I found the Boland certificate very useful in that I got job offers from China, Mexico and Oman that interested me. I picked Boland because Katie unfailingly responded, at great detail, to the questions I had about her course and TEFL courses in general. Also, I wanted private accommodations, and the school assisted me in getting a reservation for a fabulous apartment. The staff took great care of us, and if I can ever get the money together for another Boland course, I'd do it.

Plan B · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen

Sorry to bump an old thread..........

I have a Chinese friend who wants to get TEFL certified. The GLV TEFL in Zhuhai is a bit too expensive for him, and they made demands about various English qualifications that he needs.

Are there any other options in or nearby to Zhuhai?

google didn't show up much.