Job Discussion Forums

leby26 · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 68

Hi, just curious - Can someone give me an opinion (preferably from experience) on Canterbury School of English? I'm a Canadian with no certification, experience, etc yet and will have my (Honours) BA in 2005 - and I want to teach in Europe preferably, if I do. Right now I'm just looking around for options available, and this one interested me - but I need your opinions. Here's some of the info given on their site:

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

I've heard good things about them. Boith their cert program and hiring of teachers. I haven't done either.
But check out http://www.expatriatecafe.com
There is quite a lot of info about them on this forum.

leby26 · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 68

Thanks so much naturegirl, I'm checking out their forum right now and reading what some have posted about Canterbury. A few people on the site were asking the same questions as myself and have come up with:
- they want you to pay cash only for the course
- they offer a job guarantee, but they pay you under the table for the work
- you get 'up to' 25 hrs a week - notice the careful phrasing
- and apparently, in dealing with accomodation, they don't exactly provide it but a guy named Rocco drives you around and helps you find a place

This is what I've gathered so far, but I'll keep reading. Thanks again, and I'll continue in my searches!

Laura

leby26 · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 68

Alright, so I've read a little bit more and apparently its not completely bad ..... I've read that one guy actually sat down and talked to the people who run it, and they were upset that people were talking badly about them (understandably) - and the guy said that they were very helpful and personable (its run by two American brothers, they say). They say that they offer at least 15hrs a week for life there if you want it, 600 euros a month, etc. Also, they only accept 8 people a month for their courses, so that's why they can offer employment or at least active help with employment afterwards. Another guy there who had worked for them also said that he had never been, nor had he ever heard of anyone else being, jipped out of pay or anything. Apparently they are very good with that, and very reasonable and helpful employers. In any case, I'll still be looking into it - no decisions any time soon

Again, thank you!
Laura

michelle ashley · Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 22

Dear Laura,

I won�t say Canterbury is bad or good, beacuse I did not attend their school so I won�t have first hand information for you. But as a person who went thru the same reasearch, "investigative findings" you are doing, I think I can give you some piece of advice. Or pieces of advice really!

Talk to 3-4 other schools, don�t judge solely by price or what is guaranteed. Speak to the companies and if you can , visit the schools.

Ask for references and be very careful about what they do as far as helping you find a job. I spoke to many ex students, I asked for emails, I did my homework because like you I was a recent college grad, with no experience, not much money when I came to Madrid to do my TEFL course.

I�ve been very happy in Madrid, working a lot of hours and I think I am well placed because I researched a lot, chose well and it paid off.

You mentioned a guy named Rocco, he was the same American running around for the housing needs of the school I went to! Wink

If you need any first hand info on life in Madrid, jobs, rates, just email.

Best,

Michelle

shannon w · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 11

Hi there,

There are many good and unfortunately also mediocre TEFL schools in Spain. Depending on your priorities, there�s a school for every need. My priorities were quality training, job search assistance and professionalism, and I got that when I did my course with EBC.

Good luck,

shannon

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Hi,

As far as I know Canterbury is run by a couple of Brits ! However that is a newer address, I thought they were somewhere near the Chueca metro station?

They are legendary in Spain for one thing and one thing alone: they always employ non EU teachers! You might run around town and your schedule might be a bit rough but if you want to slog through it and survive Canterbury can help you with that!

This is great news if you're Canadian, American, etc.

I say if you can't find anyone else, go to Canterbury, I have had good experiences with them but there are better schools out there.

Spainish · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Madrid, Spain

SpanishFly · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 31

The place is run be two brothers who were born in Scotland but moved to America when they were young . They sounded very friendly and helpful and are able to offer you life time work because the majority of Americans who come over either move on to other counries or cannot adapt to the Spanish lifestyle . The work they give you operates on them hireing you out to companies e.t.c.
I think I'm heading to The Cant Club for my TEFL studies .