lol schools
I really wonder how some schools manage to stay in business.
I interviewed at one today which was straight out laughable. First off, it was quite clear that he didn't even read my resume. He handed me a paper that required me to fill out information that was already on the resume in the first place. After reading the paper, he didn't even ask me any questions about teaching methods or philosophies at all. Basically, the guy made no effort to find out anything about me. He went on to claim that I may not be employable because I was born in America. Of course, I have an Irish passport and brought it out while providing the most basic prerequisite information. He still said that I was wrong. So, he doesn't want to know about me, never read my resume, and doesn't understand Spanish labor laws. Good start.
He talks about the school's methodology. Says that classes are 95 minutes long and that there's a lot of talking. Not too bothersome as I have taught long Oral English classes for a few years now. I'm used to having to drill and repeat things. I know about having energy. Quite frankly, this introduction was patronizing. Then, he showed me a sample of a typical class using their method and I really understood what he said.
[information about method if you care]
The method is called the Callan Method. It was developed 40 years ago and is basically constant drilling and repetition without stopping. The only interaction is when students have to individually repeat what the teacher said or answer a question the teacher asked you. Everything is straight out of some ancient textbook that is actually quite demeaning towards women in some "lessons" (lol sexist textbook). It's efficient but it leaves no room for flexibility or autonomy with the language. The structure is so rigid that you could actually program a robot to teach it. No real teaching skills are needed to teach it. I learned the communicative method in CELTA and used the same method before CELTA. It's more fun and appears to be more effective.
Anyway, the Callan Method is nice for learning the basics, but eventually they will have to use the language in an open-ended environment and at that point they'll be lost. The students do not interact with each other in any way. The method is also an awfully intimidating one to use. With a teacher moving at such a fast rate, students could become easily overwhelmed. All they do is listen to a teacher talk way too fast for 50 minutes straight and respond to the occasional question. It's boring as hell for teachers as they are restricted from really doing anything beyond the book. Why the hell would you use a 40 year old method when years of research have developed more effective teaching methodologies? Should I use an Apple IIe when I can use an iPad instead?
I'm impressed how such systems stay around for so long. Granted, every language teaching methodology has its flaws. I remember being in China when the Crazy English teaching method hit full swing. There was a meeting to advertise it on campus and the creator (Li Yang) was a slimy douchebag. It was pretty much a Chinese English class only students would scream loudly rather than talk. Everybody was given a full copy of his work and not a single teacher kept the books on their desks. I know all of the foreign teachers promptly disposed of the material upon getting to their apartments. Callan Method's intents are far less capitalistic and the method was developed by an actual teacher whereas Li Yang is nothing more than a snake-oil salesman. Getting off topic now. Back to the rest of the entry.
[end method stuff]
Anyway, I had to hold back some laughter while watching the video. I couldn't believe that this person could be considered a teacher. I can't believe that it actually works for some people. It looks terribly boring and wouldn't be fulfilling for any teacher looking to actually improve their skills as a teacher. If anything, it would probably hold me back from improving as a teacher.
From a business POV, it's great. It is very efficient (the teacher is supposed to speak over 200 words per minute) and uses outdated materials. So, the price for the lessons is cheap. Since it requires little skill and prep work to teach, the teachers are paid quite poorly. I would work 30 hours/week for 1100 Euros/month net, which is a woeful 9.16 Euros/hour. In comparison, the first job I interviewed offered 13.5 Euros/hour net and 21 hours/week. Despite having 36 less hours per month, I'd still get paid more. Plus in the shit job, I would have to work split shifts which are a nightmare.
In short, that job is out. I have an interview mid-morning tomorrow which I should get some sleep for. This one is about a 10-15 minute walk away. So, it'll be easy to get to.
I interviewed at one today which was straight out laughable. First off, it was quite clear that he didn't even read my resume. He handed me a paper that required me to fill out information that was already on the resume in the first place. After reading the paper, he didn't even ask me any questions about teaching methods or philosophies at all. Basically, the guy made no effort to find out anything about me. He went on to claim that I may not be employable because I was born in America. Of course, I have an Irish passport and brought it out while providing the most basic prerequisite information. He still said that I was wrong. So, he doesn't want to know about me, never read my resume, and doesn't understand Spanish labor laws. Good start.
He talks about the school's methodology. Says that classes are 95 minutes long and that there's a lot of talking. Not too bothersome as I have taught long Oral English classes for a few years now. I'm used to having to drill and repeat things. I know about having energy. Quite frankly, this introduction was patronizing. Then, he showed me a sample of a typical class using their method and I really understood what he said.
Click to view[information about method if you care]
The method is called the Callan Method. It was developed 40 years ago and is basically constant drilling and repetition without stopping. The only interaction is when students have to individually repeat what the teacher said or answer a question the teacher asked you. Everything is straight out of some ancient textbook that is actually quite demeaning towards women in some "lessons" (lol sexist textbook). It's efficient but it leaves no room for flexibility or autonomy with the language. The structure is so rigid that you could actually program a robot to teach it. No real teaching skills are needed to teach it. I learned the communicative method in CELTA and used the same method before CELTA. It's more fun and appears to be more effective.
Anyway, the Callan Method is nice for learning the basics, but eventually they will have to use the language in an open-ended environment and at that point they'll be lost. The students do not interact with each other in any way. The method is also an awfully intimidating one to use. With a teacher moving at such a fast rate, students could become easily overwhelmed. All they do is listen to a teacher talk way too fast for 50 minutes straight and respond to the occasional question. It's boring as hell for teachers as they are restricted from really doing anything beyond the book. Why the hell would you use a 40 year old method when years of research have developed more effective teaching methodologies? Should I use an Apple IIe when I can use an iPad instead?
I'm impressed how such systems stay around for so long. Granted, every language teaching methodology has its flaws. I remember being in China when the Crazy English teaching method hit full swing. There was a meeting to advertise it on campus and the creator (Li Yang) was a slimy douchebag. It was pretty much a Chinese English class only students would scream loudly rather than talk. Everybody was given a full copy of his work and not a single teacher kept the books on their desks. I know all of the foreign teachers promptly disposed of the material upon getting to their apartments. Callan Method's intents are far less capitalistic and the method was developed by an actual teacher whereas Li Yang is nothing more than a snake-oil salesman. Getting off topic now. Back to the rest of the entry.
[end method stuff]
Anyway, I had to hold back some laughter while watching the video. I couldn't believe that this person could be considered a teacher. I can't believe that it actually works for some people. It looks terribly boring and wouldn't be fulfilling for any teacher looking to actually improve their skills as a teacher. If anything, it would probably hold me back from improving as a teacher.
From a business POV, it's great. It is very efficient (the teacher is supposed to speak over 200 words per minute) and uses outdated materials. So, the price for the lessons is cheap. Since it requires little skill and prep work to teach, the teachers are paid quite poorly. I would work 30 hours/week for 1100 Euros/month net, which is a woeful 9.16 Euros/hour. In comparison, the first job I interviewed offered 13.5 Euros/hour net and 21 hours/week. Despite having 36 less hours per month, I'd still get paid more. Plus in the shit job, I would have to work split shifts which are a nightmare.
In short, that job is out. I have an interview mid-morning tomorrow which I should get some sleep for. This one is about a 10-15 minute walk away. So, it'll be easy to get to.