Job Discussion Forums

[davidmsgi]

I recently left my teaching job with one of the 'chain' ESL schools.

As this forum accurately predicted, the experience was a mixed bag,
with some good experiences mixed with bad. As a former U.S. business executive and company owner, I can say that the management of my school was severely lacking any sense of 'vision', innovation, business development ideas, or employee relations skills.

In the U.S., the management of my school couldn't run a lemonade stand. Here, they are ESL school Directors and Coordinators. Amazing.
(Franchise offices may bear no resemblance to their parent companies)

I have been very fortunate to receive multiple requests from my former students who now want to become private students and study with me individually. I also have been referred into a couple of large companies who may offer additional students or even a small group or two.
So I have an opportunity to develop a nice 'solo' ESL teaching gig.

I won't be utilizing any of my former school's teaching system, books, CDs, materials, etc. I will be starting from scratch - as will my students.

I need to purchase and 'embrace' a system, a group of textbooks (teacher's and student's texts), and related materials to build and develop my new business as a private ESL instructor. I will have students at all levels 1-10, with an emphasis on 'business' English for adults and company employees, as opposed to younger students. I don't expect to teach children at all, possibly some teenagers, but mostly adults from college students to company employees and business executives.

Any recommendations on textbook series (for all levels), class materials, and a complete system that I can utilize as a solo ESL instructor would be greatly appreciated.

I also need to know where to find and purchase the material.

Thanks!

[Guy Courchesne]

I've always enjoyed using Market Leader as base for business English classes. I find the topics and layout broad enough, and interesting. I supplement heavily with my own materials to meet the particular needs of the group, company, or student and I don't find this interferes with the ML series.

Market Leader, like most business-focused series, begins at an intermediate level. You mention expecting students of all levels...I think you'll have to look at a general English series for the lowest levels before using anything with 'business' in the title.

As for where, I find the American Bookstore on Bolivar (between Madero and 16 de septiembre) and the New Option bookstore right next to it to have everything you'll need. Alternatively, taking a stroll down Antonio Caso starting from Insurgentes going toward the Anglo, you'll find three or four bookstores for EFL materials. The Anglo itself has a small bookstore inside but I find them pricey.

[BadBeagleBad]

I have used Market Leader for years, and think it offers a good variety of exercises of different kinds. And, as Guy pointed out, you can bring in current materials to supplement or expand any give unit, though there are a lot of extras included with the books. The CD�s are a good addition as they offer a variety of accents, which students often find difficult when they have had the same teacher for a long time, or several teachers with the same accent. Market Leader books are pretty much for people with some knowledge of English and can�t really be used with total beginners. I recently saw a series that looks really good for beginners. It�s published by MacMillan and is called Open Mind. It is relatively inexpensive, and one of the features I like is that it has an online component that the student can access for extra practice outside of class. I have not yet used the books, but if you are starting from scratch and cost is a consideration I would give these a look. I would also suggest buying at least one teacher�s manual for ML, after a while you will see that similar exercises will be handled in the same way from from chapter to chapter and level to level, but can give you some good ideas when you are first starting out. And, of course, ML is geared towards business students. A couple of other books I like are the MacMillan books Telephone English, and Email English, they both have short two page lessons and you can pick and choose the ones you use to drop into a chapter if you need more practice. Last but not least, there are some good Penguin books called Test Your Vocabulary, students can use them on their own, or you can use them in class. There are specific books for different fields.

[Insubordination]

I vastly prefer 'Intelligent Business' to 'Market Leader'. I just find it more engaging and easier to teach with a good balance of activities which don't take too long to complete. Also, it doesn't seem so British-centric. If you decide to check it out, make sure you get the skills books too (not the workbook). I have only even used this series with a group, not for privates. Some of the problem-solving activities require at least two or three participants.

Intelligent Business has a Pre-int level, but it's really too difficult for Pre-int students. For Pre-int, I used to use a nice little book called 'Tech Talk'. It was great, but better for those in more technical professions. I think 'New Insights into Business' has a low-level textbook. However, I haven't used it much. I like to check out reviews and previews of index/chapters on Amazon or Cambridge press websiteto get a general idea.

I often illegally download these textbooks (PM me if you want to know where) and CDs and then buy a personal copy when I've had a look (the scans of books are often poor quality, but at least I can see whether I want to buy them). I often buy books either new 2nd hand on Ebay. Otherwise, you could just go to Amazon.

Actually, I remember another thread on this very topic, which had some more recommendations. You should do a search. I'm not sure what you mean by a system, but just find out about the students and their industries and meet their personal needs from there. It can go in a million different directions depending on their jobs. Your background will be invaluable.

Good luck with your venture!

[davidmsgi]

Thanks very much for the detailed feedback and suggestions.

[Phil_K]

[leslie]

I used Market Leader too and I like it.

Also, don't forget to ask the bookstore if they have a discount for teachers. I get 10% off all books at my local bookstore (not in D.F.). Not harm in asking.

Also, at my local bookstore, I have asked for and received ESL catalogues for the different publishers. Sometimes the bookstore has them and sometimes not. If you attend Mextesol conventions, the publishers will have their books on display and sometimes you can get a sample. And the publishers always have lots of catalogues at the conventions as well. See www.mextesol.org.mx. Next Mextesol Convention is in Morelia.

[Guy Courchesne]

[BadBeagleBad]

[BadBeagleBad]

[Isla Guapa]

[davidmsgi]

I've been asked to reveal the identity of the 'chain' school where I had a fairly bad experience as outlined in my original post.

I prefer to take the 'high road' as much as possible, so the school (and city) will remain unnamed.

This forum accurately points out that franchise offices of the 'chain' schools are a roll of the dice, and may not resemble their parent companies. I can certainly offer confirmation of this fact.

I think my school had some resemblance to its parent company, but the local leadership was severely limited in its capabilities. The result was a school with much unfulfilled promise and lost opportunities for growth, development, and any chance of becoming something 'special'.

If I ever got an opportunity to own or manage one of these schools, I'll bet I could really make a mark.

[BadBeagleBad]

[BadBeagleBad]

[davidmsgi]

Wow, a school so well run that a waiting list was necessary for those seeking opportunities to join the school? I'm jealous!

My school had constant teacher turnover throughout my tenure.
I was supposed to be 'full-time', but never got close to full-time teaching hours. Although I was never scheduled for more than 15-25 hours (in a busy week), the school kept constantly hiring new teachers that diluted the available teaching hours for everyone. I couldn't understand it.

If you have established and solid teachers with 15-20 hours scheduled per week, who not increase their hours to 25-35 per week, keep them happy and let them make some reasonable money, rather than hiring more unproven newcomers who may or may not work out?

My school was adamant that their teachers could not work for other schools - even while offering only part-time hours.
So you couldn't get a full-time schedule, and the school would not allow its teachers to work for another school to boost their hours and income.

Also, the 'chain' schools are often recommended as a good place to start, because they offer 'extensive training'. My school? NO TRAINING.
My coordinator told me that, if questioned by the franchise owner, LIE to them and tell them that I was trained. NOBODY gets trained at this school, and they are a franchise office of one of Mexico's major 'chain' language schools. It was pathetic, and an embarrassment to the 'parent' company.

Does that sound like good business management and a 'teacher-friendly' environment?