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Thursday, February 22, 2007

TEFL Worldwide Prague

A RECOMMENDED SCHOOL
TEFL Worldwide Prague is a very good place to learn to teach English as a Foreign Language. Check out Alicia's (Alicat) blog which is a good read, being both very funny, refreshingly honest and obligatory reading for anyone wanting to teach in Prague. I hope the Management at TEFL Worldwide Prague give her one or all of the following:
  • a nice envelope stuffed full of cash
  • a new set of latex underwear
  • an all expenses paid evening out at Dog's Bollocks (a bar - I checked it's real!)
  • a nice hunky boyfriend (she may already be fixed up by the time you read this)
as a reward for alerting The Inspector to the original malicious unfounded posting.

He was to be seen taking notes whilst reading the September archive on her blog and was reminded of the song by Tom Lehrer "The Masochism Tango", given the recent spate of sado-masochism/bondage postings on The TEFL Blacklist (apparently known as BDSM in the trade)


"Alicat's" blog can be found by clicking HERE

The Masochism Tango (Tom Lehrer)
I ache for the touch of your lips, dear,
But much more for the touch of your whips dear,
You can raise welts, like nobody else,
As we dance to the Masochism Tango.

Let our love be a flame, not an ember,
Say it's me that you want to dismember.
Blacken my eye, set fire to my tie,
As we dance to the Masochism Tango.

Your eyes cast a spell that bewitches,
The last time I needed twenty stitches,
To sew up the gash, that you made with your lash,
As we danced to the Masochism Tango.

Bash in my brain, and make me scream with pain,
Then kick me once again, and say we'll never part.

Take your cigarette from its holder,
And burn your initials in my shoulder,
Fracture my spine, and swear that you're mine,
As we dance to the Masochism Tango.

_______________________________________________________________

Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland

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23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I did the TEFL Worldwide course as well and disagree with a lot of what is in this post. First, there are 3 trainers giving out scores, one being a girl, so this one married trainer is not the only one that determines grades. Second, the trainers never give students their exact grades during the course so it would be impossible for her to know that she had perfect scores until she mentioned the word "boyfriend". Also, her scores may have dropped because she gave a bad lesson. It happens. Lastly, I am a girl and I wouldn't say that I have a huge rack and I definitely never flirted with any of the trainers and I received a distinction (the highest "grade" possible). I am still in Prague and hang out with lots of TEFL Worldwide graduates and have never heard comments like this about their course before.

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

Interesting response. Sounds plausible to The Inspector who is inclined to remove the organisation from The Blacklist.
Anyone else got any comments? No anonymous postings please. If you genuinely support the organisation you hardly need fear any retribution. The Inspector cannot allow the wool to be pulled over his eyes by The Organisation concerned.
So a couple of transparent replies of a similar nature and I will happily de-blacklist TEFL Worldwide.

The Alicat said...

well...who ever left the first "ANONYMOUS" comment has their head up their butt. Please allow me to explain.

I am a PROUD GRADUATE from TEFL Worldwide Prague, October 2006. Not only did I enjoy the class, but I learned a lot from the instructors as well. I am still in Prague, and thanks to TEFL WWP, I am earning a living as a teacher.

As for the FALSE claim that the teachers lie and "tell everyone that they are good"...well, that is also false. In my class alone 3 people failed - that means they did NOT receive a certificate - while the rest of us graduated. If you do not do the work, you will not pass the class, no matter how big your "rack" is. It is a difficult and time consuming course, that maybe some folks just are not ready for.Some folks, like the person who left that first post.

Now - as to the "married Lech" PUH-LEEEEZE. The instructor that this woman is reffering to is about as far from a lech as you can get. Both instructors, heck, everyone who works there, acts on a strictly professional level. I happen to have a huge rack and have NEVER felt like it was an issue in class or that I was given special treatment or anything like that.

And one last point. These instructors drive the people in the class to do good and honest work. I for one tried to ride through the last week and was called out for doing less than par work. I appreciated the genuine concern and felt as though the instructors really cared about what I was doing and what I would be able to achieve once I left TEFL.

So...in conclusion. TEFL Worldwide Prague is awesome.Don't listen to some upset person who doesn't have the um...balls...to leave their name.
Oh, and if you are upset that you didn't get "honors" then maybe you should have been more concerned with your grammar point, one to one paper and lesson planning.

Quite Sincerely,
Alicia B.

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

Thank you Alicia. I liked your comments and your blog is proof that you're not a spoof! The Inspector, is however clearly out of touch with the youth of today, as he didn't even know that a "rack" could be anything other than a nice piece of lamb for Sunday lunch accompanied by two veg, loads of gravy and a nice pudding . The TEFL Worlwide Prague listing will be rewritten, turned on its head and in a jiff be transformed into good publicity for the school with a wave of The Inspector's wand.
Watch this space!

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

For information only. This is the original discredited post which is clearly just a piece of horse manure.

"It was a good school, in the sense that you really learned and the lessons were detailed....however....
Your grade was at the mercy of a lech. While they seem quite professional, they fully admitted that they lie and tell everyone they are good. If you are a guy you don't have much to worry about but if you are a girl you have to work tons harder unless you have a big rack and are willing to flirt with the MARRIED professor. I had perfect scores until one day I made a comment that I had a boyfriend.... I got a strange reaction after saying that word then my score dropped considerably. I still passed by not with honours as I would have."

The Alicat said...

gee Thanks Inspector! I feel, like all famous now! And thanks mostly for giving deserved props to TEFL Worldwide Prague - They kick ass...as do you.

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

A TOAST TO DIPLOMACY
I imagine the person who tightened the final notch on the Israeli ambassador's bondage kit uttered these very same words (as he stuffed an oversized rubber ball in his mouth)....................

"The pleasure is all mine!"

Anonymous said...

Alicia (Alicat) WORKS for TEFL Worldwide! Her comments about the school are biased! The school is horrible, the teachers are unhelpful. Two other current students were English majors in college, one has an ESL degree as well as a master's degree in composition, and she is failing. The teachers do not prepare you to become a teacher, they expect you to already know how to do it. They are not available to answer questions. You are expected to figure everything out on your own. If I had known from the start what a horrible school this was, I would not have wasted my savings!

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

"Alicia (Alicat) WORKS for TEFL Worldwide! Her comments about the school are biased! The school is horrible"

Phew what a load of complete rubbish. Read Alicat's blog and you wouldn't waste my time spouting such utter drivel.

Yes NOW she works for Tefl.worldwide but she DIDN'T when she alerted The Inspector to the original malicious posting.

Tefl.worldwide is a fine school and you clearly are bad news for any language school whether as a teacher or student. Read Alicat's blog. It's honest, factual, informative and unlike your posting isn't ANONYMOUS.

If Alicia or for that matter anyone from Tefl Worldwide cares to let your beloved sleuth know who is responsible for the above posting he will react.

Anonymous said...

I am a current student at TEFL Worldwide Prague (Feb 11 - March 7 session). I am undergoing my second week of the course, and therefore want to remain anonymous.

At the moment, I am unsure about my (significant) investment. The first week was great, largely because the instructor (the single male) was very engaging and constrcutive. The other (married male instructor) was on leave and has since returned this week. But I'll get to that in a minute.

Let me preface by saying I think the structure of the course is very sound. It focuses on classroom experience which is the best way to learn. And it has taught me techniques to teach that I never knew of. However, there has been some outside crap going on. For one, the adjoined hotel that the school is associated with is unfriendly and not helpful. The rooms in the hotel/apartment are not as advertised (for some reason all 24 of us were under the impression that we would have internet access in our rooms, and none of us do. When the issue was questioned, both the hotel and certain TEFL Worldwide administrators got on the defensive and treated us as if we were crazy). So outside of the course and job assistance (Alicia and Hana do a great job), the amenities are not as advertised to this point. This may seem minor, but you don't realize the extra expenses you undergo until you get here.

Now for the second point. To date, the second (married) instructor is an absolute asshole. Now, I don't know if this a teaching technique or what, but 99% of adults don't appreciate being talked to like they're Children. He comes across as extremely pompus and seems more concerned about making the students (teacher trainees) feel like morons than actual constructive teaching. I don't have a problem with a hard or demanding teacher, but he makes it personal. He will overplan (either unintentionally or on purpose) and run into our lunch hour (the only significant break in an often 10 hour + day) and then blame the students for the lesson taking long. "Maybe if you weren't horrible at grammar, you would have lunch" he'll say.

Last time I checked, if you already know everything you need to know, you don't sign up for a course like this and shell out $2000 (plus living expenses).

Aside from the one particular teacher, I really am fond of the rest of the faculty (minus the administrator when she responded to the internet incident... I expected her to be more helpful/understanding considering SOMEHOW the whole class "misread" the website and this is really our only channel of communication with loved ones). My classmates are terrific, as well, and Prague is an amazing city!

I don't think TEFL Worldwide deserves to be blacklisted, and the certificate probably carries alot of weight. But be aware of what you're getting into. I'll check back with you as the course continues.

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

Interesting post. I wonder if TEFL Worldwide have any comments to make?

Anonymous said...

Seriously guys?! What's done is done. Whether or not you believe that TEFL Worldwide is a good program or not, you HAVE a certification. If you have a job teaching English now, TEFL worldwide did it's job. In the end, it is up to yourself to succeed. Be a grownup and stop blaming other people.

Now. On to my issue with this website. I was hoping to find comments about Language schools in Prague. Not the training schools. I could care less about training schools after I already have my certification. I want a list of language schools to avoid working for. THAT seems to me more helpful than complaining about the quality of training you received. Schools are gonna hire you no matter what because they are that starving for teachers. So, please, start posting about your WORKPLACES!

And no, I am not going to leave here without bitching about my own workplace... because that would be hypocritical ;)

Polyglot.
1)You are not allowed access to the photocopy machine. You have to wait until the secretary is not "busy" (which sometimes you'll wait for 15 minutes while she makes a personal phone call) before you can make any copies.

2) Their library collection is far from adequate. There are so many books that my friends at other schools use that are SO helpful in the classroom that Polyglot doesn't have.

3)They pay on the lower end of the spectrum. Everyone tells me that I should AT LEAST be making 250kc per hour. I'm making 240...

4)They string you along illegally. I've asked them to help me get my visa. I've done everything I can do on my part. I've been waiting for months. Everytime I ask them about it, they make some excuse.

Now, I'm not a complete idiot. It's only been recently that my eyes have been opened to all of this. The only reason I've stayed THIS long is I like my students. But I'm going to talk to the administration about my visa next week. If they still make some excuse and don't produce a work permit within the next two weeks... well, they can kiss my happy ass goodbye. I'd like to see them flounder for another full-time teacher at the last minute.

The Alicat said...

Hi there. It's me. Alicia. Since i have been talked about, I thought I'd just stick up for little old me. Yep, I worked there, for a year. AFTER i posted a comment. Wouldn't have worked there if I didn't believe in the school. I NO LONGER WORK THERE. I am moving to Mexico to teach for a year thanks to my HARD EARNED TEFL cert. so. there. :P

Here is the deal. A lot of KIDS come thinking its a little vacation or time for drinking and fun. Well, its hard work. You only get treated like a child when you act like one. I mean at 24 you should be beyond saying things like, "What was the assignment again? I forgot where i wrote it." not the instructors problem really. Mom and dad aren't here kids. Time to pony up.

TEFL NEVER states that there is internet in the rooms. There wasn't in 2006 when I went and there isn't now. This is what comes of not paying attention. There is FREE INTERNET at the school, and hardly the "only means" for communication in Prague. There are about 900 internet cafe's in Prague. And yes. I think you misread the website. It never says internet in the housing. Sorry kids. It's only 4 weeks. Again, deal.

I don't know. It seems like a lot of people come here thinking it will be a little America and are disappointed when its not. This is a lot of kids first time away from home and they don't know what to do so they blame who ever they can. If you have not been to the Czech Republic before then Czech's might seems rude to you. But that is hardly the fault of the school. Look back at my blogs from when I first got here - I was shocked too. But did I quit or blame or complain? No. I just did the work asked of me. A lot of people attend the course and turn in sub standard work and get up set when they are asked to make it better.

My point is this: It is a great and demanding course. If the biggest complaints are about internet access in the housing, and the staff at the hotel that TEFL has NO CONTROL over - then I think they are doing well. The trainers care a lot if the trainee's pass. You won't find that many places. So...who ever you are...wish you had said something or at least signed your name. Maybe I could have helped.

See ya later Inspector! KIT!

Anonymous said...

Hi - my name's Kristina and I just completed the July Prague TEFL Worldwide course. I'm in my 30's, and came all the way from New Zealand to do this, so this was a huge challenge for me. I paid a lot of money and was determined to pass. It is hard work, don't go expecting to cruise it and have a holiday. You get into it straight away. I found it to be one of the most rewarding things I've done for a long time. I've been out of study for about 8 years, so it was really difficult to get back into the study routine. I doubted myself a few times during the course, but the tutors are fantastic. They help you work towards finding answers for yourself, but they are fully supportive and helpful. The 'married teacher' is incredibly kind and supportive, the other teacher just as much so. As the saying goes with anything if you act like an adult then you'll get treated like one, if you don't then nothing will every change for your for the rest of your life.

This course makes you accept responsiblity for your actions, treats you like an intelligent person (which you are to have been accepted in the fist place) and supports you to have faith in what you are doing. Our whole class passed the course ... we had a big class and I think it's a huge credit to the tutors (and the support staff) that we all managed to pass and graduate, with big smiles on our faces!

For those who only had the guts to post the comments anonymously - GROW UP. You only have yourself to blame for not getting out the course what all 25 of did in my class!! The only person who can make things difficult for you is yourself ... life is to short to complain, embrace challenges and do the best you can. And if you don't have the guts to put your name to something you feel is important then don't write the crap at all!

Kristina Marflitt
Proud TEFL Prague Graduate!!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I took TEFL Worldwide's course a few months ago. I also did not know what I was getting myself into. The main MARRIED instructor is a little &*&*@. And it made EVERYONE in the course mad. Because he is so pompous and yells at his students. If you like being yelled at after paying $2000 then go there, otherwise choose another school. I wish I had. There are many others. Enough said.

Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous,

Quit complaining, if you had any real belief in you comments you'd post your name ... oh, and GROW UP!

Kristina

Anonymous said...

LOL Kristina! You didn't even take the damn course. Mind your own business.

Anonymous said...

Either write under your name or don't call other people out by their own. Kristina is a sweet woman who came from halfway across the world to take the (admittedly challenging) course. Don't embarrass yourself by attacking her further from the insulation of anonymity. It makes you look fearful and at least a little stupid.
You meant well originally, I'm sure. You thought you could provide helpful feedback for people considering the course. But your influence here has obviously been very destructive.
You have a right to say whatever mean-spirited, derisive thing you want, but that doesn't mean you should.
I highly recommend TEFL Worldwide Prague, specifically the two seasoned instructors there, Pete and Terry. It's not easy, but they get you through it.

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

One of the instructors certainly seems to have rubbed a few people up the wrong way.

Anonymous said...

I just graduated from the course just at the end of July of 2008. This course was a life changing and stimulating course. It was very difficult but if you are allowed the opportunity to travel the world and teach people a language that we all live by, then it shouldn’t be easy. Any university out there wouldn’t give you a degree if you didn’t do everything required to pass, so why should this be any different? No doubt it is a difficult and intense 4 weeks, but it was worth it. As for the instructors, they work so hard to make sure that the students who graduate from their school are educated and prepared to teach others. They are very nice and helpful. They really care about the students that come in and out of those doors every month. I would recommend this course to anyone. Just know it is NOT a time to come to Prague and party. There is plenty of fun to be had, but you have to get your stuff done first and then enjoy. If you pass, then you have all the time in the world to party.

For those who are reading all the comments (including the really negative ones) I am sure those who wrote those are upset because they didn’t pass and have to put the blame on someone else because they won’t take credit for their actions. This is an intense course, but the best thing I have EVER done. And I wouldn’t have chosen a school other than this one!

Jamie Conwell

Anonymous said...

TEFL Worldwide was one of the most challenging, painful experiences I have ever gone through in my life...and that is why I am so thankful that I did it. My dream job is to travel the world, and this program allows that. I will admit that in the beginning I was less than pleased with the way the course was unfolding. However, after about the end of the second week, I realized how important to the whole process the way the teachers treat the students is. They make you an independent, well-structured teacher, and we would not have been able to learn that without the support and the guidance of the incredibly talented instructors, Pete and Terry.

While I had some issues with certain living accommodations, nothing compares to the countless opportunities I have available to me now because of this course. Terry and Pete are genuinely concerned about the students' future and try very hard to help them find jobs (as does the rest of the support staff). Plenty of employers found interest in me (and I wasn't even one of the best students in the class), and when I went to my first job interview, I was hired on the spot. I am now living in Prague and plan to stay here for at least a year (if not longer) thanks to the TEFL Worldwide Program. I highly recommend this course. It challenges individuals to work outside of their comfort zone and discover how they can become the best teacher possible.

-Nathan Brown

Unknown said...

As mentioned by the amazing graduates of July 2008, this program is INTENSE , but very REWARDING at the end. My advice is that you take responsibility for yourself and do the work. I definitely would recommend this program to everyone. I have made long lasting friendship.

For those negative people with mean comments. Please evaluate yourself.


Peace.

Paul Luu
Paul Luu

Inspector Mchammered of the Lard said...

After reviewing all the comments made about TEFL Worldwide Prague I can only reiterate my original statement that it is a great place to get a TEFL certificate. It's hard and at times probably feels a bit like boot camp.

There are a lot of charlatans out there who will happily take your money and give you a Mickey Mouse certificate in return. Even International House has sold its soul to the worldwide IH affiliate network dedicated to making money.

TEFL Worldwide Prague is one of the very few places to be recommended by your noble sleuth.

One of these days I must pay a visit to the "dogs bollocks" bar in Prague.