Job Discussion Forums

[Alfredo]

Hi All,

Can you give me some advice on the Inlingua schools please. I have heard that they have a set 'system' of teaching that teachers must adhere to. Is this true? If so, what type of 'system' is it, what does it involve and how flexible is it?

Are these schools usually reliable, with good staff and resources or are they a mixed bag? What's the pay like or do they vary?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

Alfredo

[ilaria]

Yeah, Inlingua is a chain of 'method' schools, like Berlitz or Callan. I've never worked for them myself, but ex-Inlingua colleagues tell me there is a Book which Must Be Followed and Rules which Must Be Obeyed.

As far as these 'special methods' go, they're usually minor variations on ye olde Direct and Audiolingual approaches - lots of recorded dialogues, lots of question-and answer stuff, lots of drilling and repetition, an avoidance of grammar analysis and a total ban on the use of Italian in the classroom. Schools that use 'special methods' often promise that students will learn more 'naturally', 'effortlessly', 'quickly' etc than elsewhere (and then there's a lot of small print about why the school is not responsible if the student doesn't learn!).

Complete beginner students often do well with this methodology but there's not much room for creativity on the part of either students or teacher.

[bella vita]

inlingua sucks. i worked there when I first arrived in Germany years ago. It's rigid, rule-governed, low-paying. It was good for me in that it has an intensive training program from which I benefitted because I'd never taught English before. It's also good as a first school in a new city, allowing you to get settled and look for a decent job.

[Alfredo]

Thanks for your replies Ilaria and Bella Vita, much appreciated.

Alfredo