Job Discussion Forums

[SgtPhilco]

Hi Guys and Gals

Just wondering if anyone has heard of, or has information on the F Y N E Formaci�n language school in Madrid. Considering doing my TEFL course there in May but as I had not heard of this school until recently. Would really appreciate any feedback, info etc you might have.

Cheers

Phil Hepworth

[SimoneS]

Hi There,

As far as I know, this company started up in 1980 and began the TEFL programme 18 months ago. I have met teachers that work for them - they are legit. I get some email addresses for you, perhaps then you could contact them directly and see what they say. I know also that they are members of a professional goverment organisation in Great Britain. Good luck.

[SgtPhilco]

Hi, thanks for your help. With so many schools out there it is really difficult to know who to choose. I have narrowed my list down to 3, Canterbury, ITC and FYNE. At the moment Canterbury is favourite but I did like the FYNE and I think is was cheaper. I know cheaper is not always the way to go so I am keeping an open mind.

Cheers

Phil

P.S Have you done a TEFL course if so where and with what school. I am interested to get lots of peoples feedback and find out whether they found it helpful in the real world of teaching English.

[e green]

Hi,

You mentioned ITC, if this is the same ITC that is still in Prague, but was at one time in Madrid and Barcelona as well, then I don't think their Spanish schools are in business anymore. Check out previous posts, I think the Spanish schools went bust 2 years ago. The ITC in Barcelona went out pretty messy, but don't quote me on this, check out old posts. If this is the same ITC , then I think they're still doing courses in Prague. As I said I could be wrong, so check out old posts.


Elizabeth

[SimoneS]

Hi Peeps,

Yes it is true ITC have been in a lot of trouble lately. Their accreditation by the College of Teachers was revoked because they'd left loads of students high and dry when they'd paid deposits etc. Canterbury and Fyne are both members of the College of Teachers - both a good bet.

I did a distance learning course with a company called Ronat International. People say its not worth doing distance learning, but that's not altogether true. It is worth it in that it opens you eyes to what TEFL involves and the grammar skills you need etc. What it falls down on is the classroom practise etc. As long as they offer full training and all the required study chapters they are okay. I chose distance because I was working a heavy schedule at the time.

Keep in touch

Ess

[e green]

I remember seeing something about ITC getting kicked out of the College of Teachers as well. I don't think that they were accredited by them though. From what I've read on one of Dave's other forums ITC got taken over by TEFL International. I've seen on another site, INTESOL I think, that there's a big difference between being a member and being accredited by the College of Teachers. They said that normal membership is open to anyone that wants to pay up but getting to be an accredited member is a lot more difficult. If there's an interest in a College of Teachers school I suppose it's worth asking a few questions first about what their membership status is.

Elizabeth

[JimRoss]

A few facts about the College of Teachers classification.

There are two types of classification at the College of Teachers:

Institutional Membership
Accredited Centre

Institutional Membership - This is open to any institution that pays a small annual fee to the College of Teachers (CoT). The fee paying institution has to abide by the CoT code of practice and has the right to display the CoT badge on it's web site. This is only a sign of membership of the CoT in a similar way to membership of IATEFL or other professional organisations.

Accredited Centre - This is only open to institutions that have submitted the following and had it checked and approved by the academic board of the CoT: Course description, Course syllabus, Course trainers and their teaching qualifications, Course material, Training facilities, Grading scheme, Acceptance criteria and procedures plus quite a few other things. In addition to this, the organisation applying for accredited status has to
have been operating for a minimum of two years. Once approved, the accredited centre is empowered to award the Certificate in TESOL or the Advanced Certificate in TESOL depending on which of these two the accreditation request was submitted for.

Institutional members cannot issue the Advanced Certificate in TESOL or the Certificate in TESOL. Only accredited centres can issue these certificates.

For accredited centres in Spain and the rest of the world go to:
http://www.collegeofteachers.ac.uk/tesol/telfcentres.htm


Jim Ross,
Centre Co-oordinator,
EBC Servicios Ling��sticos Europe SL.