Job Discussion Forums

BoogaJuice · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 21

Hey hey!

Anyone who graduated from Oxford Seminars, and used their teacher placement services, I would like to talk to you. Please tell me if you found their services helpful... Did they put you in contact with people from the schools that contacted you? Any other comments you might want to add would really help me.

Thank you

BoogaJuice · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 21

So judging by the amount of people that have looked at this and not responded I am assuming NOBODY has used Oxford Seminars Teacher Placement Services. Is this true? Have you really not used this? Not even for a minute?

I tried using them, but the countries I wanted to go to, they don't have a lot of clients for. I've been conducting my own job searches, and realized that I can get find better employers than Oxford can. While they are quick to get back to me, they haven't really been a lot of help with this process. Anyone else have any comments to add?

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Try the General Discussion Forum, it gets a lot more viewing than this one.

Rimbaud · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 12

I'm just now starting the teacher placement service through oxford. I'll keep you updated...

Sabine11 · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:21 am Post subject: Used Oxford Seminars

Hi Boogajuice;

I did my ESL certification with Oxford Seminars in April.. I used their teacher placement services, however I was looking to teach in Argentina and they don't have actual contacts there.. They (Sarah) did send me some links to certian schools in Argentina, but the numbers were limited... And you know how virtually impossible it is to apply online for jobs in Argentina..

Sha asked me to give her a second choice of country and I said Ecuador.. Sha sent out my resume and within about a week an agency contacted me with possibilities to teach in Ecuador in a couple of locations...

But I want to go Argentina, so I still have to go there in person and apply on my own.. But I did find them helpful just the same..

Let me know if you have more question about them,
Sabine B.

BoogaJuice · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 21

Greetings Sabine!

Sarah helped me too. She is very nice, I started up and stopped the teacher service program twice before I finally received my passport. She advised I wait until I can legally leave Canada before starting up the placement services.
I got the same thing for Argentina, a list of schools to contact. I also told them that I wanted to work in Mexico and Argentina, and have heard from both countries. Costa Rica only had one contact. As I previously said, I've done better conducting my own job search than depending on Oxford Seminars to find me a decent position.
I would really like to know if anyone who has been placed with a contact obtained from Oxford Seminars enjoyed working withthat company. I guess it doesn't really matter because I believe I have found some good places to choose from based on my own research.

Good-luck in Argentina!

Sabine11 · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:31 am Post subject:

Hey there!!

I agree.. You discover alot more possibilities by searching on your own.. There are tons of school to apply for out there..

Some of these schools or teacher placement services don't always offer accomodations, so you still have to find a place to stay and consider travel time/expenses on your own..

Sab

Rimbaud · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 12

Oxford only sent my resume to one school. I've yet to hear back from the school and I've heard mixed reviews about the institution. They only sent my resume to one school because I only want to work in Quito. They did provide me with contact information for other schools in Quito, but because they are not affiliated with Oxford I have to send my resume on my own behalf. Just for the record, Naturegirl's list is much better then the one Oxford sent me! Thanks Naturegirl Smile

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:45 am Post subject:

Just out of curiosity, who in Quito is affiliated with Oxford seminars?

And yes, Naturgirl and her list both Rock!

And RImbaud- drop me a line and I'll send you a list of schools in Quito- think I've lost your email.

Best,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Rimbaud · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 12

Justin-
I'm almost scared to say it because I've searched the boards and read your opinion of this school, but alas... it's the Wall Street Institute.

I'll drop you line as well regarding schools in Quito. Thanks.

ajdo · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

One of the reasons I took a course through Oxford Seminars was because of their teacher placement service which I thought would increase my chances of landing a good job (I'd heard of people going overseas to teach and getting screwed). My resume got sent to an agency in Taiwan (Supreme Educational Group - BEWARE). When I arrived in Taiwan the school the agency placed me with didn't have enough 'legal' teaching positions so the agency maneuvered for my work permit and ARC to come through this buxiban in Taipei, for which they wanted me to pay a lot of money each month. I had also naively signed a contract that asked for a lot of money in service fees and deposits. All of this was illegal, and when I went to the Labour Council to file a complaint it came to light that Supreme wasn't registered with the government, ie not a licensed agency. I let Sarah from the teacher placement service know what was going on and she said that they wouldn't use the agency anymore. My point is: just because the service has put you in touch with a school or agency don't assume they will be legit.

cjbetterman · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 18

To make a long story short. They were not helpful at all when it came to Latin America searches. They had a few contacts that were not easy to reach and there was no pro-active assistance.

rrooseve · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:24 pm Post subject:

Well all of this information is disheartening. Last week I got that information after sending in my resume and cover letter. The 3 choices I had for countries I wanted to teach in were Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. I did get the email back from Sarah saying that you pretty much have to be in Argentina and Chile in order to get a job. Now I'm kind of worried hearing that someone only received one contract from Ecuador. I was hoping to leave in about a month/month and a half with the help of the placement service, but the odds aren't looking too good now, especially since the school year has already begun. If anyone has information about schools hiring in Ecuador, I would be very much obliged. Thanks

-Ron

cjbetterman · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 18

Here's the best advice anyone can give you. It requires bravery and a little savings to take care of yourself for at least 2 months w/out depending on a paycheck and alot of research on your desired location. Make a list of all the schools you can find in the area. Email them or call them in inquire. DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT. Treat the job search as you would at your own home. Don't travel to a far off place to work for a place you've never seen or been able to compare to others. I'm in Costa Rica and there are good schools and bad and I've met teachers that came here w/ signed contracts that are regretting it since I told them my story. I came here blind w/ a list. Did some traveling scoping out the schools and talked to the teachers there when I went in and it was that way that I found my places to work.
Computers are great for intel but for this line of work it's best to just do it old school way and find your employer face to face. It would be a shame to take the leap and feel bitter stuck in a contract.