Job Discussion Forums

che2007 · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 43

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all doing fine. First of all I'd like to thank everyone who has given there advice and feedback on all the questions that have been asked about teaching english in Argentina. I am hoping that my own question will be asked. I find that not a lot of questions are being answered. I know it must be because they have been answered at some other point in time, and I don't blame you guys. People must research for themselves.

ANYWAYS, I will cut to the point... haha

I really need some important advice here. Here is my situation and you all can give me some input on this one... I am born in Canada. I hold a University degree and I am 25 years of age. People have told me I have a high intermediate to advanced level of spanish. From what I read on this forum it will help OBVIOUSLY! I also feel that I need to hold a TEFL certificate (from what i read on here) because it does help, even though many here have said that in Argentina they couldn't care less, I still will feel more secure with it. I will have a frame of mind which gives me confidence in teaching.

I would like to know more about an Argentine institution. They are called TEFLocal. I don't think it has been mentioned on this forum as of yet, and this is why I bring it up. I need to know as much as possible about this company because they seem genuine to me, but I am totally a new kid from the block on these matters, and I need to be sure before I enroll. Has anyone here heard of it? Has anyone here taken the course? If you heard anything about it, if you didn't take the course that is, I would like to know even what heard about it. Any information would be appreciated. From the website they have they seem very sincere. It is an accredited institution for one thing and they offer many good perks.

Anyways,

May you all feel free to reply. I will be waiting for responses.

Thank you very much in advance.

veggieboy · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Buenos Aires

sheena maclean · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject:

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

che2007 · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 43

Hey guys thanks a lot for replying... I was hoping I'd get more concrete details, because sure I did the search on the forum to see what people had to say about TEFLocal, but there was nothing! People just just said "yeah it's good take it"... but nothing that tells me what it is like...

Also I've been trying to get in touch with them and they don't respond at all! I've tried every contact... email, skype, on their website...I don't understand. This is already turning me off. I will give them a couple more days...

Anyways, i have another question. In regards to spanish, I have a friend that is interested in taking a course together... If we do the TEFLocal, does he have to have any knowledge of spanish? He doesn't speak at all... Well i know he will be in a spanish speaking country, but I figure he'll be with me and I am pretty fluent...

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

jasonphos · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:02 pm Post subject:

I don't have any first-hand knowledge of TEFLocal, so hopefully someone will respond that does.

Your friend should be fine taking the course without any knowledge of Spanish. The course is in English, so there's no need for Spanish. The only possible problem would be culture shock. I'm no psychologist, nor have I ever set foot in that realm, but apparently some people go to a foreign country and can't take it. So, barring that, your friend should be fine.

A few months ago, someone posted here advising against the TEFLocal program, implying that it was very flashy and immature, and possibly that the people in charge were deceitful to the teachers. Search the messages if you want to see what I'm talking about.

Good luck,

Jason

D Silverman · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 13

i agree with Jason I seem to recall reading an ex teacher and an ex student advising against TEFLocal because they didn't pay the teacher and that they were dishonest. The ex student didn't rate the program at all but i can't find the posts anywhere. i do remember reading them because it was quite a colorful, interesting exchange, something you don't forget easily. search older posts.

che2007 · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 43

Well I'm glad to hear that my friend will be okay. In regards to the culture shock, i think he will be okay with this too... He flys a lot and has been to many places in the world, I think he is used to it. But he'll be with me anyways, and I am pretty fluent in spanish (Argentine spanish too) so this should alleviate any anxieties that he may have.

I searched for hours all over the forums, even online for what you said about that ex student and TEFLocal, but to no avail! I couldn't find it anywhere... To tell you the truth everything that was said about this place on here was all good.

Oh I recently got in touch with them, and they said they were on holidays sicne it is December and Christmas time. They start up again in the new year.

Thanks again for all your help guys!