Job Discussion Forums

MarkUSA · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Chicago

Hi, Teachers.

Has anyone taught at St James Education Center in Prague who can give me a review of their management practices, working conditions, contract veracity, etc??? I'm in negotiation with them teaching business English, and would like to get an outside opinion. Very Happy

Their contract promises 17hrs of classes (and otherwise I'm assured I can get many more, up to 30, if I want). Has this been your experience? Basically I'm asking if they can be trusted. Rolling Eyes

Thank you

Mark

betacygnus · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 24

My personal experience, having interviewed with them in December, 2007, and the experience of my former classmates who worked for them, is, quite simply, avoid them for all the reasons you mentioned.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If you're in the US, and they are working with you from abroad, beware! It's not normal practice to recruit from abroad, and often indicates a school that can't attract teachers who are in the country due to a poor reputation.

Europe generally doesn't hire from abroad - though I realize that is not so comfortable for someone planning to make the investment in a flight ticket to come over to seek a job, �t is the normal way here.

UberJRI · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject:

I've heard that they work people like dogs and give you the worst split shifts you can imagine. I don't think I'd work for them after some of the things people have had to say about them....

Chris Westergaard · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Prague

I'm staying out of school fights

Chris Westergaard · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Prague

I'm staying out of school fights

Martin Hejhal · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Prague

Dear all,

I'm a Director of Studies for St. James Education Centre. So called "MarkUSA" accepted the position and has been working for us as a full-time teacher since Sept 2008. Up to my knowledge, he's reasonably happy teaching for us.

Recruiting from abroad is a routine for our school. In fact, most of our new full-time teachers starting contracts on 1st September are recruited via Skype/telephone. That's the best way to get experienced, qualified teachers looking for teaching in a different country who do want to secure a job before they fly in.

So called Betacygnus did have a face to face interview with me in Dec 2007. I'm not sure why he advises others to avoid us. Teaching for our school means to have split shifts, usually you teach 7,30-9,00 and 16,30-18,00 and something - like a class a two, in the middle. I always make that clear in the first e-mail, it's in our leaflet for TEFL courses, in our advert on TEFL.com. If you don't like it, don't take it. We also do not force anyone to "work like a dog." There is an obligation to teach 20 hours a week clearly stated in the Policy Handbook, but that's it. We also have three month probation period, so unhappy teacher can leave almost immediately.

We do play fair.

Martin Hejhal, St.James