Job Discussion Forums

jelbert · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Granada, Nicaragua

I worked at Granada English College from April through July of 2007. I taught nine two-hour classes per week, using the Interchange Third Edition textbooks as a reference. It was a great opportunity to learn about Nicaraguan culture as well as improve upon my Spanish. I really enjoyed living in Granada, a beautiful and active colonial city.

dlarcheuk · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 58 Location: USA

My Costa Rican students here in America have nothing but good things to say about Nicaragua, and always seem to love their time with their families on vacation there. Wish the salary package at Grenada English College were a little better. It sounds like a good place to be.

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

I got a message several months back from the owner and he seems really genuine in what he is trying to do. Just my feel for it.

chuckalbert94 · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Granada, Nicaragua

Is Granada English College of Granada, Nicaragua still in existence? I tried looking for their web page but to no avail.
Last time I was in Granada, the school was having trouble paying the rent and the bulldog secretary (co-owner) and administrator was driving students away with her ugly personalilty.

Dragonlady · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:11 am Post subject:

deleted

out of date

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

The Granada English School definitely closed its doors at the end of December. This was due to a combination of a poor economy as well as other problems at the school.

chuckalbert94 · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Granada, Nicaragua

Too bad about the school. Alas poor Scott Banks, I knew him well.

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

I'm not intending to quibble over who to feel sorry for but I don't think it would be Mr. Banks.

I couldn't help but notice that you (chuckalbert94) said Mr. Banks's word was "gold" etc. in another post.

Mr. Banks left in the middle of the night from Nicaragua and took the remainder of funds that the British Embassy had given to the school to train Granada Police officers. This was discussed recently at a local commnunity-police organization. Public information here. This would likely have a pretty negative effect on future funding of such projects in Granada.

So, I guess if I'm going to pick a pitty party it would be for students who had invested in a couple of months only to find the school shuttered one day. You might also feel sorry for the cops who lost training and those in the future who might never see more embassy money.

You might also feel sorry for those who will be left with yet another round of cynical feelings related to paying a school to learn English only to find out they can barely get past "hello" after months of "learning".

Again, just if you're looking for suggestions......

cherry cake · Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Posts: 16

Since this school is no longer in existence - is anyone aware of other English schools for work that are in Granada, Rivas, San Juan del Sur or even on Ometepe Island?? Im just finishing a TEFL course in Costa Rica and would like to consider working in Nica. Any thoughts, recommendations or suggestions would be a HUGE help!

Thanks much!

Mike Jones · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 5

I've never heard anything about this school in Granada, but here is a link.

http://www.eslbase.com/schools/nicaragua/997

Good luck

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

Just a thought - the link from M. Jones points to the ABC school. That school is behind the old hospital on the northern edge of the business district (Jakemate restaurant/bar is on the same street as the old hospital for reference).

I don't want to sound like an alarmist but it's not the greatest neighborhood (from local people) so you may want to check that out during pretty daylight hours....

El Juero

Mexicobound · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Not to quibble but......

cherry cake · Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Posts: 16

thanks for the tip about the location if I make it there next week Ill be sure to visit during the day!! If anyone is in the know about other schools in the south either in Granada, Rivas or even San Juan del Sur PLEASE let me know! thank you!

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

Cherry,
I'm sure the colegios in Granada will hire you. The problem is that you are likely to have very large classes, no materials for class, no curriculum, often times there is no copier or paper for making copies etc.. The pay will likely only be 2-3 dollars /hour. I knew a couple of local teachers in Granada and they all held a second job to make ends meet. This was often in conjunction with other family member's income as well.

I don't know how committed you are to Nicaragua specifically but another option for a left of center, interesting and friendly country might be Honduras. Tegucigalpa seems much livelier and probably less dangerous than Managua and I believe there's more of a successful middle class on from which you might find schools/students.

I don't want to seem discouraging but the overall political and economic situation in Nicaragua is not too good and I hate to see someone waste their time.

Keep your eye on oil prices. If oil goes up checks may come in from Chavez and Venezuela to Nicaragua!

Good luck.
El Juero