Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Hi folks. Anyone have any info about teaching at Berlitz in Brno ...I interviewed with them, but they would not give me info. about salaries.

They told me I would have to do a training course, and then they might select me.

Brno is a nice city, and better than Prague in many ways...less expensive etc...

Any other schools in Brno worth mentioning. Thanks

Katharine · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 2

Check out The Boland School. I was contacted by them about their TEFL Course. It seems like a good one. www.boland-czech.com

hope this helps

caesar · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 24 Location: cyberspace

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

Berlitz is not a good employer in Asia.

Have heard the same about Berliz in Europe.

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

What's wrong with the Boland School?

caesar · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 24 Location: cyberspace

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

krispypan · Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Europe

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

such as?

krispypan · Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Europe

such as being paid rather poorly and being accused of not teaching hours that i taught.

jgziegler · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Brno, CZ

this program is a complete rip off and these are reasons why (I am a grad):

1. For the same/similar price, you can get a CELTA which is recognised in more places.

2. You don't really learn how to teach, but, as one grad and former instructor there said, "how to teach at crappy schools like Boland'

3. When asked if they have qualification, grads have always responded: "Well, Boland, but that doesn't really mean much"

4. I know a few grads (including myself) who have later got CELTA. The two programs cannot really be fairly compared. CELTA is just that much better.

5. Boland changes trainers every few months. If the school and program were so good, then why would its trainers leave after a few months?

This is not a slight against anyone who has or currently is working there. Rather, this is to help improve the quality of teaching by warning against poor qualification programs.

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

Looking at old posts, seems like you're in the minority. Most think it's very professional and helpful.

jgziegler · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Brno, CZ

Which forum are you looking at? And who are these 'mosts'? Maybe it has magically gotten a lot better in the last year, but I seriously doubt that.

Like I said, the program is nothing compared to CELTA, and I can say that there is no requirement to become a trainer there, I know for a fact that they have used trainers who were trainees less than 6 months before that. I regard that as completely unprofessional.

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

jgziegler · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Brno, CZ

nice way to show your proof! And as I wrote previously, people I know who are grads have ALL (that means everyone) said that it is a bunk program. That includes 2 people who did the Boland program and then later got CELTA. And what about the the constant changes in trainers and how quickly trainees become trainers?

And even if people in these forums say the program is ok, what is their frame of reference? Are they familiar with any other programs?