Comments for TEFL School Reviews http://www.teflschoolreviews.com Independent Information on TEFL Life, Opportunities and Schools Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:21:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on McGinty School of English Almeria Spain by John http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/mcginty-school-of-english-almeria-spain-2008347.html#comment-95547 John Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:55:57 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/mcginty-school-of-english-almeria-spain-2008347.html#comment-95547 I've had dealings with the Director in question and unfortunately they were not positive at all. I have been a victim of his bullying which was previously mentioned above and I would think very carefully before considering a post at this school. I’ve had dealings with the Director in question and unfortunately they were not positive at all. I have been a victim of his bullying which was previously mentioned above and I would think very carefully before considering a post at this school.

]]> Comment on The Thomas Jefferson School in Chile by Gregory Trzebiatowski http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/the-thomas-jefferson-school-in-chile-2008359.html#comment-95363 Gregory Trzebiatowski Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:13:53 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/the-thomas-jefferson-school-in-chile-2008359.html#comment-95363 I am the founder and headmaster of the Thomas Jefferson School(TJS). I took early retirement from the College of Education at the Ohio State University to found TJS in 1992. We have hired 3 to 6 ESL teachers per year since the school opened in 1993. The great majority have been wonderful individuals who have made a great contribution to our English program. For example a recent graduating class took the TOEFL and half (10/20)qualified to get into Harvard on the basis of their English. A Harvard grad prepped them. Unfortunately a few ELS teachers come with serious personal problems which, regrettably, we can not solve. Incidentally, we rated #12 of 425 paid private schools in Chile on the Chilean university admissions test the PSU. For the past 12 years we have had 10 to 12 student teachers from Ohio State U. do part of their professional practice at TJS for a one month period. Needless to say, the OSU professors would not send us their students year after year if it were a bad experience for them. Twelve Wright State student teachers spend the month of November, 2008 with us on a similar program. Two are planning to return in March to teach for a year. As the introduction to the school reviews says carefully evaluate all comments before you reach a conclusion. As my father used to say "Paper takes anything". I wish you the Best, Gregory Trzebiatowski I am the founder and headmaster of the Thomas Jefferson School(TJS). I took early retirement from the College of Education at the Ohio State University to found TJS in 1992. We have hired 3 to 6 ESL teachers per year since the school opened in 1993. The great majority have been wonderful individuals who have made a great contribution to our English program. For example a recent graduating class took the TOEFL and half (10/20)qualified to get into Harvard on the basis of their English. A Harvard grad prepped them. Unfortunately a few ELS teachers come with serious personal problems which, regrettably, we can not solve. Incidentally, we rated #12 of 425 paid private schools in Chile on the Chilean university admissions test the PSU.
For the past 12 years we have had 10 to 12 student teachers from Ohio State U. do part of their professional practice at TJS for a one month period. Needless to say, the OSU professors would not send us their students year after year if it were a bad experience for them. Twelve Wright State student teachers spend the month of November, 2008 with us on a similar program. Two are planning to return in March to teach for a year.
As the introduction to the school reviews says carefully evaluate all comments before you reach a conclusion. As my father used to say “Paper takes anything”.
I wish you the Best,

Gregory Trzebiatowski

]]> Comment on Bluniverse China by N J Shelton http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/bluniverse-china-2007319.html#comment-95357 N J Shelton Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:49:10 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/319/bluniverse-china/#comment-95357 Bluniverse is not a school that is trustworthy. I worked for this school for 10 months and quit knowing I would lose 9k RMB. I have decided to work for one of the other schools in my town. One of the teachers that run the new school was fired from Bluniverse without any reason. Other teachers followed and they now are running a very nice school. Here are some examples of the kind of people that run this school: 1. The new school ran by previous teachers were threatened with violence if they continued to open the new school. Bluniverse sent their driver to that school to scare the teachers. For the current 3 weekends, Bluniverse has sent people from their corporate office to intimidate this new school. I was present during two of these episodes and videoed these people. The director of Bluniverse tried to knock my camcorder from my hands in an attempt to stop me from videoing him. 2. One teacher at Bluniverse told me that the local tax person would come and discuss my taxes with me. She told me to tell them that I only made 4500 RMB a month so that I would not have to pay any tax. Their logic does not make any sense, I make 6500 RMB and they have taken out taxes every month from my pay. First off, why would I lie to their government about money that has already been taken out of my monthly salary? Secondly, lying to their government means I would be lying to my government which is a crime. I said no and asked who told you to instructed you to lie to me. She said it was the headmaster. I went and talked to the headmaster and he also instructed me to lie. I asked him who told him to tell me this and he said that the owner of Bluniverse told him to tell me. My next follow-up was to ask the corporate office for a copy of my monthly tax returns and I was told that they could not do this and that they paid them in bulk payments. Pretty bold lie since it is the laws for all foreigners to pay monthly and for either the company or the individual to submit a standard tax form with foreigners monthly wage information. After that, things got worse; I was then asked to fill out a complete form of all my classes dating back to the beginning of my employment. 3. During an English competition, I was instructed to help our schools students get more points and was told all schools do the same thing. I refused. 4. 90 days before my contract was to end, I was forced to tell Bluniverse if I would renew my contract. I told them no way. The same day, I was leaving the school and was confronted by their corporate lawyer and administrative person from Hefei. They gave me a packet of papers and told me to look them over. When I got home I opened the document and all of the information was in Chinese. My wife is Chinese and she told me that it contained the private chatting sessions of the previous teachers and my old headmaster. I was furious and called them and told them how dirty I considered this to be. They told me that it was only my opinion and they wanted me to know what the other people were really like. This is ethically wrong, if the school has a problem with their employees that information is not for other employees to see. It is none of my business. 5. After working for the school for more than 8 months, the new headmaster tried to have me sign new school rules. Most of the rules were only ways to deduct money for minor infractions. I refused and told them that I had already signed the school rules when I signed their contract. One of the new infractions is for not wearing a company picture ID during training. 6. The headmaster of my school is also the headmaster for another school. The old headmaster quit because of the current reorganization of all the schools under Bluniverse. Anyway, he told all the staff in the other school that he had met me and decided I was not a good man and fired me. When I quit, the school told all of my students that I was ill and unable to teach. 7. One week after I quit, another foreign teacher quit and was threatened on the phone. This current weekend, the school notified all the students that the school was closed because of the teachers getting ready for testing. The truth is that both of the foreign teachers have had enough of their threats and lies. So, if you are currently working for Bluniverse, just ask for your monthly tax forms. Just so you know, I am not a disgruntled teacher; I am a teacher that refuses to work for bad people. Bluniverse is not a school that is trustworthy. I worked for this school for 10 months and quit knowing I would lose 9k RMB. I have decided to work for one of the other schools in my town. One of the teachers that run the new school was fired from Bluniverse without any reason. Other teachers followed and they now are running a very nice school.

Here are some examples of the kind of people that run this school:
1. The new school ran by previous teachers were threatened with violence if they continued to open the new school. Bluniverse sent their driver to that school to scare the teachers. For the current 3 weekends, Bluniverse has sent people from their corporate office to intimidate this new school. I was present during two of these episodes and videoed these people. The director of Bluniverse tried to knock my camcorder from my hands in an attempt to stop me from videoing him.
2. One teacher at Bluniverse told me that the local tax person would come and discuss my taxes with me. She told me to tell them that I only made 4500 RMB a month so that I would not have to pay any tax. Their logic does not make any sense, I make 6500 RMB and they have taken out taxes every month from my pay. First off, why would I lie to their government about money that has already been taken out of my monthly salary? Secondly, lying to their government means I would be lying to my government which is a crime. I said no and asked who told you to instructed you to lie to me. She said it was the headmaster. I went and talked to the headmaster and he also instructed me to lie. I asked him who told him to tell me this and he said that the owner of Bluniverse told him to tell me. My next follow-up was to ask the corporate office for a copy of my monthly tax returns and I was told that they could not do this and that they paid them in bulk payments. Pretty bold lie since it is the laws for all foreigners to pay monthly and for either the company or the individual to submit a standard tax form with foreigners monthly wage information. After that, things got worse; I was then asked to fill out a complete form of all my classes dating back to the beginning of my employment.
3. During an English competition, I was instructed to help our schools students get more points and was told all schools do the same thing. I refused.
4. 90 days before my contract was to end, I was forced to tell Bluniverse if I would renew my contract. I told them no way. The same day, I was leaving the school and was confronted by their corporate lawyer and administrative person from Hefei. They gave me a packet of papers and told me to look them over. When I got home I opened the document and all of the information was in Chinese. My wife is Chinese and she told me that it contained the private chatting sessions of the previous teachers and my old headmaster. I was furious and called them and told them how dirty I considered this to be. They told me that it was only my opinion and they wanted me to know what the other people were really like. This is ethically wrong, if the school has a problem with their employees that information is not for other employees to see. It is none of my business.
5. After working for the school for more than 8 months, the new headmaster tried to have me sign new school rules. Most of the rules were only ways to deduct money for minor infractions. I refused and told them that I had already signed the school rules when I signed their contract. One of the new infractions is for not wearing a company picture ID during training.
6. The headmaster of my school is also the headmaster for another school. The old headmaster quit because of the current reorganization of all the schools under Bluniverse. Anyway, he told all the staff in the other school that he had met me and decided I was not a good man and fired me. When I quit, the school told all of my students that I was ill and unable to teach.
7. One week after I quit, another foreign teacher quit and was threatened on the phone.
This current weekend, the school notified all the students that the school was closed because of the teachers getting ready for testing. The truth is that both of the foreign teachers have had enough of their threats and lies. So, if you are currently working for Bluniverse, just ask for your monthly tax forms. Just so you know, I am not a disgruntled teacher; I am a teacher that refuses to work for bad people.

]]> Comment on American School of Pachuca Mexico by FunnyHow http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/american-school-of-pachuca-mexico-2007291.html#comment-95350 FunnyHow Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:14:53 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/291/american-school-of-pachuca-mexico/#comment-95350 The school has never actually had a site visit from SACS nor seriously engaged in the process of seeking accreditation until 2.5 years ago, and the site visit is set for April. So, Ernest, again you should check your facts. Do you have an M.D.? Hmmm...why not???? Is it because you never sought it?? Hard to be accredited till you formally ask to be and enter the official process, which we did in June of 2006. Also not terribly relevant to accreditation that our fully, triply accredited school has been around 100 years since SACS has been around about 30...and we just approached them formally in 2006. :-) Sour grapes Ernesto.. The school has never actually had a site visit from SACS nor seriously engaged in the process of seeking accreditation until 2.5 years ago, and the site visit is set for April. So, Ernest, again you should check your facts. Do you have an M.D.? Hmmm…why not???? Is it because you never sought it?? Hard to be accredited till you formally ask to be and enter the official process, which we did in June of 2006. Also not terribly relevant to accreditation that our fully, triply accredited school has been around 100 years since SACS has been around about 30…and we just approached them formally in 2006. :-)

Sour grapes Ernesto..

]]> Comment on American School of Pachuca Mexico by Braggs http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/american-school-of-pachuca-mexico-2007291.html#comment-95328 Braggs Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:20:55 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/291/american-school-of-pachuca-mexico/#comment-95328 The comments are interesting, but tend to be a bit one-sided either pro or con. A few have a balanced perspective, which is needed if you plan to work internationally. One thing you need to understand is that the kids may be somewhat unruly and disrespectful, but nothing compared to the average US middle or high school. Most parents are supportive, especially if you are doing the job as a teacher. The unfortunate thing is that some teachers with very little experience are thrown into the classroom without enough training or orientation. That isn't because the administration is insensitive, they just tend to be otherwise occupied. Meanwhile, a teacher may be floundering and no one knows until a problem surfaces. Pachuca is a nice town, safe and friendly. The school administration tends to be supportive, but sometimes they hire people who really shouldn't be in education at all, and that becomes difficult to work with on a daily basis. Most people are trying hard to do a good job, and the professional competence of the teachers is much better than it used to be. The students are also better behaved, but like all students, they can be a challenge. Teachers who are unable to face that challenge, shouldn't be in the teaching profession. ASP is a nice place to work, people are friendly and will work with you if you don't take the "I want it like the US, and I want it now" approach to everything. People from the north need to understand that Mexican culture moves more slowly, but it doesn't mean they are inferior or incapable, just different. The comments are interesting, but tend to be a bit one-sided either pro or con. A few have a balanced perspective, which is needed if you plan to work internationally.

One thing you need to understand is that the kids may be somewhat unruly and disrespectful, but nothing compared to the average US middle or high school. Most parents are supportive, especially if you are doing the job as a teacher.

The unfortunate thing is that some teachers with very little experience are thrown into the classroom without enough training or orientation. That isn’t because the administration is insensitive, they just tend to be otherwise occupied. Meanwhile, a teacher may be floundering and no one knows until a problem surfaces.

Pachuca is a nice town, safe and friendly. The school administration tends to be supportive, but sometimes they hire people who really shouldn’t be in education at all, and that becomes difficult to work with on a daily basis.

Most people are trying hard to do a good job, and the professional competence of the teachers is much better than it used to be. The students are also better behaved, but like all students, they can be a challenge. Teachers who are unable to face that challenge, shouldn’t be in the teaching profession.

ASP is a nice place to work, people are friendly and will work with you if you don’t take the “I want it like the US, and I want it now” approach to everything. People from the north need to understand that Mexican culture moves more slowly, but it doesn’t mean they are inferior or incapable, just different.

]]> Comment on Suzhou Foreign Language School China by kev http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html#comment-95322 kev Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:29:14 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-95322 Another disgruntled teacher who speaks in lies and half-truths. You can take the ramblings as you will but I was able to first-hand observe her classes and I can tell you, she and the school are lucky to be rid of each other. Perhaps she was told that she was going to be doing "ESL" and was put in a classroom that was following an American curriculum. Why not say "no thank you" on that first day of school if this was a problem? If she didn't want taxes taken out of her pay, why not negotiate for a NET salary instead of grumping about it later? Any foreigner earning over 4800 rmb a month in China is subject to taxation. Also, what's one person's "trash" is another person's constructive criticism. All new teachers are under a tighter scrutiny. This has been my experience wherever I've taught, in China or back home. The fact is, SFLS is a pretty decent school who've always treated me with respect and kindness and have looked after me every single day of my 3+ years of teaching there. Of course, I show up to school on time every day (and don't stay home for the littlest sniffle), do my work honestly and fairly, and give them a good teacher in exchange for what they give me. For those that can't stick it out for even a year and rise to the occasion . . . well, go back and reread that post again only this time, read between the lies . . . uh, lines! Another disgruntled teacher who speaks in lies and half-truths. You can take the ramblings as you will but I was able to first-hand observe her classes and I can tell you, she and the school are lucky to be rid of each other. Perhaps she was told that she was going to be doing “ESL” and was put in a classroom that was following an American curriculum. Why not say “no thank you” on that first day of school if this was a problem? If she didn’t want taxes taken out of her pay, why not negotiate for a NET salary instead of grumping about it later? Any foreigner earning over 4800 rmb a month in China is subject to taxation. Also, what’s one person’s “trash” is another person’s constructive criticism. All new teachers are under a tighter scrutiny. This has been my experience wherever I’ve taught, in China or back home. The fact is, SFLS is a pretty decent school who’ve always treated me with respect and kindness and have looked after me every single day of my 3+ years of teaching there. Of course, I show up to school on time every day (and don’t stay home for the littlest sniffle), do my work honestly and fairly, and give them a good teacher in exchange for what they give me. For those that can’t stick it out for even a year and rise to the occasion . . . well, go back and reread that post again only this time, read between the lies . . . uh, lines!

]]> Comment on American School of Pachuca Mexico by ernesto http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/american-school-of-pachuca-mexico-2007291.html#comment-95292 ernesto Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:59:03 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/291/american-school-of-pachuca-mexico/#comment-95292 "We ARE certified! Yeah, that's the ticket." Lovely new spin. You know as well as I that SACs is what I'm talking about. “We ARE certified! Yeah, that’s the ticket.” Lovely new spin.

You know as well as I that SACs is what I’m talking about.

]]> Comment on Universidad de la Sierra Juarez Mexico by Jennie http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/universidad-de-la-sierra-juarez-mexico-2007310.html#comment-95194 Jennie Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:30:44 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/310/universidad-de-la-sierra-juarez-mexico/#comment-95194 I've been working at the university for 4 months now and I really enjoy it. marsha is right in saying that the university is not in Oaxaca, but is in a small town of 2000, about an hour and a half away. It really is a lvoely little town. i've never felt so safe or experienced ssuch a strong sense of community before. Clearly this isn't going to be a party town, but its still very social. theres often fiestas here or in the neighbouring village, basketball is big if you want to get involved and us teachers always eat together and get together a couple of times a week. And oaxaca is fantastic for a weekend trip. with hardly any expenses in the town, you'l have plenty money left to enjoy. the univeristy is still small, and we only teach 3 hours a day. Wyou'll never have work to take home with you which is a big bonus. you'll always be paid on time and our holidays are guarenteed. the students are great too. I will be honest and say thart disipline is quite strong here, on both the students and the teachers. this is sometimes hard to ajust too, but i still think the students, collegues, town and location outweigh this. So if you're thinking about working here and are prerpared for small town life, i would most definately recommned it. I’ve been working at the university for 4 months now and I really enjoy it. marsha is right in saying that the university is not in Oaxaca, but is in a small town of 2000, about an hour and a half away. It really is a lvoely little town. i’ve never felt so safe or experienced ssuch a strong sense of community before. Clearly this isn’t going to be a party town, but its still very social. theres often fiestas here or in the neighbouring village, basketball is big if you want to get involved and us teachers always eat together and get together a couple of times a week. And oaxaca is fantastic for a weekend trip. with hardly any expenses in the town, you’l have plenty money left to enjoy.

the univeristy is still small, and we only teach 3 hours a day. Wyou’ll never have work to take home with you which is a big bonus. you’ll always be paid on time and our holidays are guarenteed. the students are great too. I will be honest and say thart disipline is quite strong here, on both the students and the teachers. this is sometimes hard to ajust too, but i still think the students, collegues, town and location outweigh this.

So if you’re thinking about working here and are prerpared for small town life, i would most definately recommned it.

]]> Comment on Suzhou Foreign Language School China by English Student http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html#comment-95174 English Student Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:10:48 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-95174 I think SFLS is great! I went there on a homestay trip with my school in England and it was a fantastic experience, they are so hospitable and warm - food is not so great! I think SFLS is great! I went there on a homestay trip with my school in England and it was a fantastic experience, they are so hospitable and warm - food is not so great!

]]> Comment on Canadian Center Mexico by Scott Zimmermann D.A. http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/canadian-center-mexico-2007265.html#comment-95169 Scott Zimmermann D.A. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:47:46 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/265/canadian-center-mexico/#comment-95169 I concur with the views expressed by Mr. Aronson. He cites all of the key factors that make Canadian Center a third-rate school: inept management, overcrowded classrooms, antiquated and dilapidated audio equipment, an overly complicated and cumbersome curriculum, and low pay. His posting is one hundred percent accurate. I concur with the views expressed by Mr. Aronson. He cites all of the key factors that make Canadian Center a third-rate school: inept management, overcrowded classrooms, antiquated and dilapidated audio equipment, an overly complicated and cumbersome curriculum, and low pay. His posting is one hundred percent accurate.

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