What TEFL programs would you recommend?
The Inspector was asked this very question only today, which is an interesting one to answer as he is often accused of only being up to mischief. The standard reply is usually that the number of schools listed on The TEFL Blacklist is tiny, considering what a massive global business TEFL/ESL has become and there are many fine places to train to teach or to learn English.
The Inspector is thinking of creating a TEFL Whitelist in the near future for that very purpose. There are loads of decent schools around, about whom, one hears nothing. The Inspector has no problem at all with the idea of schools making profit, but some of the horror stories listed on The TEFL Blacklist really do need to be aired somewhere and thanks to the whole blog revolution, free speech is still thankfully alive and kicking.
The TEFL/ESL profession is split between devils and angels. The trick is in spotting the difference between the two.
The angels go into TEFL/ESL with a genuine love of people and full of enthusiasm about giving and usually have a great sense of wanting to experience a new adventure and a different culture. For those people, money is not the main thing and they often find themselves being exploited.
The devils go into TEFL/ESL either because they love the power trip or because they want to make money - or both!
One of the main hypocrites is Dave Sperling whose ESL Cafe money machine is heavily moderated. The moment any comment appears that Dave's advertisers dislike, it gets removed. Dave's ESL site is however viewed as being akin to a neighbourhood "cafe" which gives the impression of a friendly place to get honest impartial advice. Some of the forum comments about different countries taxation systems etc. are worthwhile reading but once dodgy schools are named then you can't see the wood from the trees.
Cactus TEFL are another organisation professing to offer impartial advice, which is absolutely not the case as they earn a commission from each course they sell.
Watch out for the possible birth of the TEFL Whitelist. It'll be a tricky one to set up as it would need to be completely impartial which is no easy feat to pull off. The Inspector is working on the concept and if he can find a system that works it'll be up and running soon.
_______________________________________________________________
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Cactus TEFL (still up to their old tricks)
Yes they are still doing it. The Guardian are promoting Cactus TEFL as a holier than thou place to seek impartial advice. I can't believe that money isn't changing hands.
It's based, as told in the Cactus TEFL posting, on paid advertising dressed up as informed journalism and a knowledge of how search engine optimisation (known as SEO) works. The Inspector's best guess is that Richard Bradford of Cactus TEFL is behind this deceit and he is also probably the Mr Anonymous writing all that propaganda crap in defence of International House, for whom Cactus TEFL acts as agents.
This is what he had to say about International House London:
"IH is a quality organisation and always has been, with IH London always packed with happy students and happy teachers"
For someone who professes not to have any links with IH isn't that way over the top (unless that is you're being paid a commission)
This is what you can see still on The Guardian's TEFL news page:
Living the dream
Moving abroad to teach English is an exciting prospect,
but you need to do your planning properly, says Jenny Johnson
…………….Taking a Tefl qualification is one of the first things to find out about as there are not many destinations left these days where unqualified teachers walk into jobs with no training. In any case, it is preferable to have some idea about what you are doing before you walk in to face your first classroom of eager students.
If you surf the web for organisations providing Tefl courses, you will find literally pages and pages of search results. If this is too bewildering, you can save yourself a lot of time and possibly an expensive mistake by going straight to an advisory service such as Cactus TEFL, which will help you find a suitable course.
………………..Jenny Johnson is head of Cactus TEFL
There is naturally a hyperlink to the Cactus TEFL site which is why they have such good web rankings. No more no less. Do NOT be fooled into believing their claptrap.
THEY ARE AGENTS, MAKING MONEY, WHILST PRETENDING TO BE GOOD SAMARITANS.
They make a commission on each course they sell but come over as some kind of free impartial advice service, just the sort of slick marketing one might fall for - hook line and sinker!
This kind of hidden publicity, which should be clearly labelled as such makes me sick.
Richard Bradford should be ashamed of himself. Label such bullshit as advertising and at least show some integrity. Oh and while we're on the subject stop sending The Inspector threatening abusive messages.
I am so totally ********* off by some of the anonymous things I've been getting lately that I feel a "Richard Bradford" posting coming on (says he wiping his brow). Who the hell are you, Richard? I think a little bit of research about your past would be a worthwhile exercise. It'll certainly be good therapy for The Inspector whose dicky ticker has been playing up lately during these worrying few months he has spent on the run from Lady Florence McHammered.
I've just about had enough of Val Ferret and cloud cuckoo land. Time to press on with the round the world trip methinks.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
It's based, as told in the Cactus TEFL posting, on paid advertising dressed up as informed journalism and a knowledge of how search engine optimisation (known as SEO) works. The Inspector's best guess is that Richard Bradford of Cactus TEFL is behind this deceit and he is also probably the Mr Anonymous writing all that propaganda crap in defence of International House, for whom Cactus TEFL acts as agents.
This is what he had to say about International House London:
"IH is a quality organisation and always has been, with IH London always packed with happy students and happy teachers"
For someone who professes not to have any links with IH isn't that way over the top (unless that is you're being paid a commission)
This is what you can see still on The Guardian's TEFL news page:
Living the dream
Moving abroad to teach English is an exciting prospect,
but you need to do your planning properly, says Jenny Johnson
…………….Taking a Tefl qualification is one of the first things to find out about as there are not many destinations left these days where unqualified teachers walk into jobs with no training. In any case, it is preferable to have some idea about what you are doing before you walk in to face your first classroom of eager students.
If you surf the web for organisations providing Tefl courses, you will find literally pages and pages of search results. If this is too bewildering, you can save yourself a lot of time and possibly an expensive mistake by going straight to an advisory service such as Cactus TEFL, which will help you find a suitable course.
………………..Jenny Johnson is head of Cactus TEFL
There is naturally a hyperlink to the Cactus TEFL site which is why they have such good web rankings. No more no less. Do NOT be fooled into believing their claptrap.
THEY ARE AGENTS, MAKING MONEY, WHILST PRETENDING TO BE GOOD SAMARITANS.
They make a commission on each course they sell but come over as some kind of free impartial advice service, just the sort of slick marketing one might fall for - hook line and sinker!
This kind of hidden publicity, which should be clearly labelled as such makes me sick.
Richard Bradford should be ashamed of himself. Label such bullshit as advertising and at least show some integrity. Oh and while we're on the subject stop sending The Inspector threatening abusive messages.
I am so totally ********* off by some of the anonymous things I've been getting lately that I feel a "Richard Bradford" posting coming on (says he wiping his brow). Who the hell are you, Richard? I think a little bit of research about your past would be a worthwhile exercise. It'll certainly be good therapy for The Inspector whose dicky ticker has been playing up lately during these worrying few months he has spent on the run from Lady Florence McHammered.
I've just about had enough of Val Ferret and cloud cuckoo land. Time to press on with the round the world trip methinks.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Thursday, April 19, 2007
TEFL-trade and Sandy McManus are on the move!
Sandy McManus has gone. It is looking omininously as if his cover has been blown. It's an occupational hazard for those of us who operate behind enemy lines. Paul Lowe who has figured in many an article on The TEFL Blacklist is number one suspect behind the attack on Sandy. The Sandy McManus blog at http://sandymcmanus.blogspot.com is an attempt to stop Sandy exposing his less savoury business ventures such as the fake Trinity scam.
For all those readers who are unaware of the fact, Sandy created the TEFL Blacklist, although he has since moved on to pastures new (or shall we say, less dangerous grazing), so all threats of litigation, and leg breaking regarding the various postings on The TEFL Blacklist should be directed to Inspector McHammered of the Lard.
As a consequence your noble sleuth may well be on the move himself!
Sandy will no doubt reappear in good time. You simply can't keep a good man down.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
For all those readers who are unaware of the fact, Sandy created the TEFL Blacklist, although he has since moved on to pastures new (or shall we say, less dangerous grazing), so all threats of litigation, and leg breaking regarding the various postings on The TEFL Blacklist should be directed to Inspector McHammered of the Lard.
As a consequence your noble sleuth may well be on the move himself!
Sandy will no doubt reappear in good time. You simply can't keep a good man down.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The McDonald's Libel Case.
This is in response to the numerous requests I get to pick up the phone, e-mail, write, send a pigeon or whatever to blacklisted schools. Well it's not exactly an even playing field out there and I've better things to do than fight some corporate monster, armed with a huge legal war chest to bully and threaten anyone who dares speak out against them.
The case below was described as David versus Goliath and was considered a PR disaster for the corporation concerned, as the judge decided that McDonald's had "pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match"; had exploited children in its advertising, and paid low wages, "helping to depress wages in the catering trade".
McDonald's spent over £10 million for nothing in their petty battle against two penniless people. Yes that's right, £10 million just for the pleasure of shooting themselves in the foot!
Some of the people, who send The Inspector abusive messages would do well to listen to the wisdom of Voltaire who said:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
If anything written here can be shown, beyond reasonable doubt, to be false it will be removed, as has already been shown on a number of occasions.
Steel and Morris on Tuesday -
15 years after being served a libel writ by McDonald's
The European court ruling that two activists should have been allowed legal aid in their libel battle with McDonald's is just the latest of many twists in the longest case in English legal history.
The case goes back to the mid 1980s and a public campaign attacking aspects of the fast food industry.
In 1986 the London Greenpeace group - separate from the international Greenpeace movement and including Helen Steel and David Morris - produced leaflets attacking McDonald's.
The leaflet, called 'What's wrong with McDonalds - everything they don't want you to know', did not hold back.
Among other things, it accused the corporation of encouraging litter, mistreating animals and workers and destroying rain forests.
In 1990 McDonald's served libel writs on five volunteers in the group, beginning a battle often compared to that of David - and Helen - against Goliath.
It demanded that they retract the claims in it and apologise - or go to court and prove that all the allegations were true.
At the time, McDonald's economic power outstripped that of many small countries, with worldwide sales of about $30bn in 1995.
Three of the activists decided that, with no legal aid, they could not fight the massive corporation. They backed down and apologised.
But two - Ms Steel, 39, and Mr Morris, 50, both from Tottenham, north London - refused to do so.
Ms Steele was a part-time bar-worker earning a maximum of £65 a week, and Mr Morris was an unemployed postman who was responsible for the day-to-day care of his son, then aged four.
The inequality of arms, as the European court noted, "could not have been greater".
'£10m legal bill'
As they had no legal aid and not much money of their own, Ms Steel and Mr Morris had to fight the case with only occasional unpaid help from lawyers - mounting their own defence and own representation.
McDonald's, on the other hand, was represented by leading and junior counsel, experienced in libel law, and by one or two solicitors and other assistants. The corporation's legal bills were estimated at £10m.
Steel and Morris raised an estimated £40,000 from public donations to pay for witness airfares, court costs, expenses and so on.
Transcripts of the trial ran to about 20,000 pages and about 130 witnesses gave oral evidence
In 1991 they made their first attempt to demand legal aid in the European Court of Human Rights. But the court ruled that, as the defendants had already put up a "tenacious defence", they could not say they were being denied access to justice.
Further legal wrangling took another three years, and on 28 June 1994 the full libel trial finally started in the High Court in London.
Transcripts of the trial ran to approximately 20,000 pages; there were about 40,000 pages of documentary evidence.
Some 130 witnesses gave oral evidence - 59 for the defendants, 71 for McDonald's. Ms Steel gave evidence in person but Mr Morris chose not to.
On 13 March 1995 McLibel became the longest ever British libel trial.
David Morris and Helen Steel outside court in 1997
On 11 December 1995 it became the longest civil case (as opposed to criminal) in British history.
On 1 November 1996, it became the longest trial of any kind in English history.
Damages ordered
And it wasn't until 19 June 1997 that the judge, Mr Justice Bell, delivered his 762 page judgment. The judge rejected claims that McDonald's was to blame for starvation in the Third World or had used lethal poisons to destroy vast areas of Central American rainforest.
But he also decided, in what was seen as a PR disaster for the corporation, that McDonald's had "pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match"; had exploited children in its advertising, and paid low wages, "helping to depress wages in the catering trade".
McDonald's
McDonald's says both it and the world have moved on since the case
He ordered Mr Morris and Ms Steel to pay £60,000 damages, reduced later on appeal to £40,000.
McDonald's has not sought to collect this money, and the two have vowed not to pay.
But the case did not end there. Two months after the verdict, Ms Steel and Mr Morris lodged an appeal.
This ran from January to March 1999 - and it didn't end there either. In July 1999 they pair asked the House of Lords for leave to appeal further - which was rejected.
So in September 2004 they launched an action against the UK Government at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, this time saying the lack of access to legal aid breached their rights to a fair trial as guaranteed under article 6 of the Human Rights Convention.
Law already changed
On Tuesday, the court agreed. The British government has three months to appeal the decision.
But it is possible the UK libel laws may have to change.
The government says it is considering the judgment, but recent changes in the law mean that legal aid is now sometimes available in exceptional cases.
McDonald's made little comment, except to point out that the allegations made by Steel and Morris related to practices in the 1980s.
Source: The BBC
_______________________________________________________________
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
The case below was described as David versus Goliath and was considered a PR disaster for the corporation concerned, as the judge decided that McDonald's had "pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match"; had exploited children in its advertising, and paid low wages, "helping to depress wages in the catering trade".
McDonald's spent over £10 million for nothing in their petty battle against two penniless people. Yes that's right, £10 million just for the pleasure of shooting themselves in the foot!
Some of the people, who send The Inspector abusive messages would do well to listen to the wisdom of Voltaire who said:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
If anything written here can be shown, beyond reasonable doubt, to be false it will be removed, as has already been shown on a number of occasions.
_________________________________________________________________
McLibel: Longest case in English history
Steel and Morris on Tuesday -
15 years after being served a libel writ by McDonald's
The European court ruling that two activists should have been allowed legal aid in their libel battle with McDonald's is just the latest of many twists in the longest case in English legal history.
The case goes back to the mid 1980s and a public campaign attacking aspects of the fast food industry.
In 1986 the London Greenpeace group - separate from the international Greenpeace movement and including Helen Steel and David Morris - produced leaflets attacking McDonald's.
The leaflet, called 'What's wrong with McDonalds - everything they don't want you to know', did not hold back.
Among other things, it accused the corporation of encouraging litter, mistreating animals and workers and destroying rain forests.
In 1990 McDonald's served libel writs on five volunteers in the group, beginning a battle often compared to that of David - and Helen - against Goliath.
 |  The inequality of arms could not have been greater  European Court of Human Rights, commenting on the difference in resources between McDonald's and the activists |
At the time, McDonald's economic power outstripped that of many small countries, with worldwide sales of about $30bn in 1995.
Three of the activists decided that, with no legal aid, they could not fight the massive corporation. They backed down and apologised.
But two - Ms Steel, 39, and Mr Morris, 50, both from Tottenham, north London - refused to do so.
Ms Steele was a part-time bar-worker earning a maximum of £65 a week, and Mr Morris was an unemployed postman who was responsible for the day-to-day care of his son, then aged four.
The inequality of arms, as the European court noted, "could not have been greater".
'£10m legal bill'
As they had no legal aid and not much money of their own, Ms Steel and Mr Morris had to fight the case with only occasional unpaid help from lawyers - mounting their own defence and own representation.
McDonald's, on the other hand, was represented by leading and junior counsel, experienced in libel law, and by one or two solicitors and other assistants. The corporation's legal bills were estimated at £10m.
Steel and Morris raised an estimated £40,000 from public donations to pay for witness airfares, court costs, expenses and so on.
Transcripts of the trial ran to about 20,000 pages and about 130 witnesses gave oral evidence
In 1991 they made their first attempt to demand legal aid in the European Court of Human Rights. But the court ruled that, as the defendants had already put up a "tenacious defence", they could not say they were being denied access to justice.
Further legal wrangling took another three years, and on 28 June 1994 the full libel trial finally started in the High Court in London.
Transcripts of the trial ran to approximately 20,000 pages; there were about 40,000 pages of documentary evidence.
Some 130 witnesses gave oral evidence - 59 for the defendants, 71 for McDonald's. Ms Steel gave evidence in person but Mr Morris chose not to.
On 13 March 1995 McLibel became the longest ever British libel trial.
David Morris and Helen Steel outside court in 1997
On 11 December 1995 it became the longest civil case (as opposed to criminal) in British history.
On 1 November 1996, it became the longest trial of any kind in English history.
Damages ordered
And it wasn't until 19 June 1997 that the judge, Mr Justice Bell, delivered his 762 page judgment. The judge rejected claims that McDonald's was to blame for starvation in the Third World or had used lethal poisons to destroy vast areas of Central American rainforest.
But he also decided, in what was seen as a PR disaster for the corporation, that McDonald's had "pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match"; had exploited children in its advertising, and paid low wages, "helping to depress wages in the catering trade".
McDonald's
McDonald's says both it and the world have moved on since the case
He ordered Mr Morris and Ms Steel to pay £60,000 damages, reduced later on appeal to £40,000.
McDonald's has not sought to collect this money, and the two have vowed not to pay.
But the case did not end there. Two months after the verdict, Ms Steel and Mr Morris lodged an appeal.
This ran from January to March 1999 - and it didn't end there either. In July 1999 they pair asked the House of Lords for leave to appeal further - which was rejected.
So in September 2004 they launched an action against the UK Government at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, this time saying the lack of access to legal aid breached their rights to a fair trial as guaranteed under article 6 of the Human Rights Convention.
Law already changed
On Tuesday, the court agreed. The British government has three months to appeal the decision.
But it is possible the UK libel laws may have to change.
The government says it is considering the judgment, but recent changes in the law mean that legal aid is now sometimes available in exceptional cases.
McDonald's made little comment, except to point out that the allegations made by Steel and Morris related to practices in the 1980s.
Source: The BBC
_______________________________________________________________
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
International House (again) !
The folks at International House seem to be getting a bit het up. Your beloved Inspector is busy dodging the bullets.
Check the International House posting out by clicking here
There is a prize of a litre of organic fermented yak's milk for anyone who can guess the identity of the Mr Anonymous who is getting so angry.
I seem to have touched on a raw nerve.
_______________________________________________________________
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
Check the International House posting out by clicking here
There is a prize of a litre of organic fermented yak's milk for anyone who can guess the identity of the Mr Anonymous who is getting so angry.
I seem to have touched on a raw nerve.
_______________________________________________________________
Billy Connolly
The Big Yin (Billy Connolly) is now the video link. For all his transatlantic cousins, who might not have heard him....enjoy!
The clips shown have now been moved to The Movie Archive and can now be seen by clicking here.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
The clips shown have now been moved to The Movie Archive and can now be seen by clicking here.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Global Vision International
A provisional blacklisting only until The Insector has completed his research. The omens are not good however.
The recipe:
- A weekend TEFL course
- A UK Limited company that hides the fact in its small print
- An impression of a charitable organisation
- Exciting destinations
- Expensive courses, expeditions, misssions to teach EFL to the needy
- Oh and last but not least NO PAY.
If you are young innocent and possibly fresh from university, it feels to The Inspector a bit like.......... come into my parlour said the spider to the fly!
There again as you all know The Inspector is an old cynical fart so he may well be wrong. Let's wait and see but in the meantime do read the small print and study the prices!
You can have your bank account emptied at:
Global Vision International
3 High Street
St Albans,
Herts,
AL3 4ED,
England
_______________________________________________________________
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Eva Cassidy
The inspector has introduced some Eva Cassidy videos, who is (tragically - was) simply astonishing. If you have any suggestions for future videos, just let him know!
The clips shown have now been moved to The Movie Archive and can now be seen by clicking here.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
The clips shown have now been moved to The Movie Archive and can now be seen by clicking here.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Monday, April 02, 2007
Criminal Record Checks in England - TWIN School
That old scourge of the TEFL underbelly Sandy Mcmanus has an interesting article on the TWIN outfit which sounds an absolutely dreadful place to teach EFL, (even if only half the allegations are true). That's actually a tale for Sandy to tell in his own inimitable style, I was more intrigued by a few mentions of teachers working without Criminal Record Checks and whether the organisation (TWIN) were breaking the law.The short answer would appear to be "no", as TWIN appears to be under no legal obligation to carry out CRB checks, as private language schools are not under the control of the Department for Education and Skills in England (who deal more with compulsory education). An apparent glaring loophole you will no doubt mutter, BUT.....................
This organisation is British Council approved. and if they are employing teachers who are in contact with children. this would appear to be a clear breach of The British Council's code of good conduct, which clearly states:
Child protection
Employers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that
they do not employ persons with recorded offences
against children in positions which will bring them into
close and/or regular contact with under-18s.
The Inspector would advise anyone working for TWIN who knows of teachers being employed (and teaching under 18s) WITHOUT a Criminal Record Disclosure (CRB enhanced disclosure), to register a complaint with The British Council without further delay.
Will it take a scandal for this loophole to be closed? At least The British Council can take action and hit TWIN where it hurts.... in their pocket.Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
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Berlitz, Switzerland
Well I never! Click HERE to watch the movie and you will see that even Berlitz in Switzerland have a sense of humour. I assume the chap in the video is an advanced Berlitz student.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Rotten Tomatoes and Passion Fruit
The Inspector has added a lot of new fangled whistles and bells to the blog. The videos for example are all randomly displayed based on keywords, so a school on the TEFL Blacklist might unwittingly find its promotional crap being displayed here. International House's Madrid video has been displayed - whoopee!, "Schools" previously unknown to The Inspector have unexpectedly popped up onto his screen. For example, an outfit called "I to I" has already been spotted where some smarmy git drones on about their 20 hour distance course (wonderful only for their cash flow of course not that he admits it). Rest assured readers that "I to I" (pronounced eye to eye) will feature on the TEFL blacklist very soon. Consider the videos an eclectic collection such as a coconut shy or a rotten tomato section or even surprisingly a gallery of wonder. Please do not assume that everything is endorsed by The Inspector who on the contrary considers this new feature as a kind of TEFL spider's web.
Each day will bring someting different that The Inspector either wants to take the p*ss out of or finds moving.
The theme for the moment is the singer Eva Cassidy. A truly incredible loss to the world. Hardened as he might be by the recent onslaught from Lady Florence McHammered, There are only two sounds that will cause the Inspector to burst into tears: George Bush and Eva Cassidy!
The news section has been put up on a trial basis. Cactus TEFL has been spotted so yet another opportunity for throwing rotten tomatoes. The type of news displayed will depend on The Inspector's mood at the time (usually irreverent). At the moment of writing the news features Switzerland, where the Inspector is currently staying whilst on his eighty day journey around the world.
Send any feedback to the "nomination" page.
The Inspector will review the changes on a regular basis so do let rip if you feel like it.
There is also a links section which has been provisionally added. You might get a chuckle or two out of them. Who knows the Inspector might even add the odd worthwhile link.
Enjoy...................
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Each day will bring someting different that The Inspector either wants to take the p*ss out of or finds moving.
The theme for the moment is the singer Eva Cassidy. A truly incredible loss to the world. Hardened as he might be by the recent onslaught from Lady Florence McHammered, There are only two sounds that will cause the Inspector to burst into tears: George Bush and Eva Cassidy!
The news section has been put up on a trial basis. Cactus TEFL has been spotted so yet another opportunity for throwing rotten tomatoes. The type of news displayed will depend on The Inspector's mood at the time (usually irreverent). At the moment of writing the news features Switzerland, where the Inspector is currently staying whilst on his eighty day journey around the world.
Send any feedback to the "nomination" page.
The Inspector will review the changes on a regular basis so do let rip if you feel like it.
There is also a links section which has been provisionally added. You might get a chuckle or two out of them. Who knows the Inspector might even add the odd worthwhile link.
Enjoy...................
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
FOR BLACKLIST NOMINATIONS CLICK HERE
Swiss Spaghetti
. It seems that Switzerland has struck lucky once more. The annual spaghetti crop has proved to be a bumper one. This is the biggest one for over fifty years!
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
FOR THE MOST RECENT POSTING CLICK HERE
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Friday, March 30, 2007
Euro Speak
You may have well seen this before but if you haven't enjoy..............The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement has been reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European communications, rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five-year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish (Euro for short).
In the first year, "s" will be used instead of the soft "c". Sertainly, sivil servants will resieve this news with joy.
Also, the hard "c" will be replaced with "k". Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced by "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20 per sent shorter.
In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent "e"s in the languag is disgrasful, and they would go.
By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" by "z" and "w" by " v".
During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou", and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst place....
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Thursday, March 29, 2007
R.I.P.
I've posted this article from the BBC, in memory of Lindsay Ann Hawker, the English teacher from Coventry, England, murdered in Japan this week. Her family must be going through absolute hell and I'm sure that I speak for all EFL teachers around the world in offering them my sincerest condolences. May this tragedy serve as a warning to us all to be extra vigilant when far from home and our loved ones.
Are foreign women safe in Japan?
| Lucy Rodgers BBC News |
I, like many before and after me, have travelled the thousands of miles to the Japanese archipelago to experience its rich and vastly different culture by teaching English.
The challenges of language, the chance to expand cultural knowledge, the friendliness of the population and the perceived safety of the country where violent crime still makes the national news were all big draws.
Before arriving in the little-known prefecture of Kochi, on the southern island of Shikoku, I had been informed that Japanese people did not lock their doors, left their cars running with the keys in the ignition and would never rip you off.
But just two weeks after my arrival, I and my fellow recruits were jolted out of our complacency.
A fellow female teacher had been attacked in her own home by a man in her mountain village. He had climbed in through a window, beaten her and attempted to rape her.
He left the scene only to return to beat her some more.
Fears raised
The incident was an early warning to all of us that Japan may not be as safe as it first appeared.
The case of Lindsay Ann Hawker, 22, whose body was found this week in a bathtub buried in sand, and that of British bar hostess Lucie Blackman, 21, who disappeared from a Tokyo nightclub in 2000 and whose remains were found in February 2001, have also done much to raise fears about women's safety in the country.
Everyone is so generous and friendly, you forget about safety issues. You don't have the radar for it anymore Moira Healy
So is Japan safe for women?
Moira Healy, 33, an actor and director from London, spent two years working in schools in Shimizu-cho in central Hokkaido.
Although she said she encountered some "inappropriate behaviour", she never felt threatened or in danger.
"It was just basically misconceptions and cultural difference," she said.
Forgetting the dangers
She felt "times 100" safer in Japan than Britain, but admitted that this feeling of safety may have allowed her to forget about the possible dangers.
"I would have gone anywhere and done anything," she said.
"Especially where I was in rural Japan, but also in the big cities, everyone is so generous and friendly, you forget about safety issues. You don't have the radar for it anymore.
"There are always exceptions to the rule, and you need to remember that."
Foreign teachers stand out in Japan (Picture: Stuart Coles)
Foreign or "gaijin" women stand out, and are known to many people. In smaller towns and villages most residents will even know exactly where they live.
And this can lead to both welcome and unwelcome attention.
Another former teacher who also worked in Hokkaido, who did not want to be named, witnessed a man snooping around outside her apartment, and on another occasion had an intruder enter when she was not there.
"As a foreigner you are an object of intrigue and interest and that comes with a certain responsibility - you have to be careful about certain people's motivations," she said.
"There is a certain fascination - which may have something to do with how foreigners are portrayed on the TV - and you are probably the closest thing some people have to meeting such people, particularly in more rural areas."
She felt safe walking around in the day or night and was warmly accepted by her Japanese community.
People should remember they are in Japan and maybe be aware that their behaviour may be misread Sarah Ono
But she said it was important foreigners did not forget about taking the same precautions they would in any other country.
"You attract people, but it is how you deal with that. If you use the same degree of savvy you do in Britain, you will be okay."
Sarah Ono, 30, who runs her own English school in Kochi and has a Japanese husband and two children, said foreign women are often unaware that they will attract unwanted attention by the way they act.
"Japanese women are reserved. In a bar it doesn't take much for a Western woman to start talking to a man in a bar, but Japanese women would not do that.
"It is normal for foreign women to chat with men they don't know on a friendly basis. But in Japan, if you did that, the man may assume they wanted something else."
Avoiding risks
Being aware of these differences would help to prevent women entering risky situations, she said.
"The crime rate is low here, but things do happen. People should remember they are in Japan and maybe be aware that their behaviour may be misread."
During my own two years in Japan I never felt under threat - and I often left the door open and the car running with the keys in the ignition and was never ripped off. A taxi driver once ran down the street to give me my 10p change.
But although crime rates are comparatively low and most people are courteous and welcoming, this is not the whole picture of Japan either.
As is true of any country, you need to be aware of where you are, who you are with, and what the unspoken rules of behaviour are.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wall Street Institute, Paris
Attention all shipping. This is a gale force warning from the BBC. Well maybe not, but it's the TEFL equivalent nevertheless.One of The Inspector's all time favourite employers, Wall Street Institute, is out on the prowl tracking down
The Inspector is very
Wall Street Institute
7 Place de la Defense
PARIS LA DEFENSE, PARIS
92974 - France
has been spotted advertising on TEFL.com
They need four, that's FOUR lucky teachers who will win the TEFL booby prize. Enjoy Paris in the Spring and work for an
Don't expect an end of contract bonus but just let The Inspector know when you're about to leave and he'll send each of the four
The Inspector is of the opinion that Wall Street Institute is simply a linguistic vending machine.
Anyone for
Click HERE to watch the movie.
Check out The Wall Street Institute entry by clicking HERE.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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The Masochism Tango
I've had a couple of people asking about The Masochism Tango.
Just click , in all its glory.
Dedicated naturally to Tzuriel Refael.
Just click , in all its glory.
Dedicated naturally to Tzuriel Refael.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Inlingua Avelino, Italy
Check out a new posting about this organisation. I've heard absolutely nothing good about them and in fact quite a few comments echoing the same sentiments.
The owners are as mad as hatters and Inlingua Avelino should be avoided like the plague. So called "schools" like this are the very reason for the existence of The TEFL Blacklist and it beats me why Inlingua devalue their name by allowing them to be part of the Inlingua group.
On another note:
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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The owners are as mad as hatters and Inlingua Avelino should be avoided like the plague. So called "schools" like this are the very reason for the existence of The TEFL Blacklist and it beats me why Inlingua devalue their name by allowing them to be part of the Inlingua group.
On another note:
The young Italian
A virile, young Italian gentleman was relaxing at his favorite bar in Rome, when he managed to attract a spectacular young blonde. Things progressed to the point where he invited her back to his apartment, and after some small talk, they retired to his bedroom and made love.
After a pleasant interlude, he asked with a smile, "So...you finish?" She paused for a second, frowned, and replied,"No."
Surprised, the young man reached for her and the lovemaking resumed. This time she thrashes about wildly and there are screams of passion. The love making ends, and again, the young man smiles, And again he asks, "You finish?" And again, after a short pause, she returns his smile, cuddles closer to him, and softly says, "No."
Stunned, but damned if this woman is going to out last him, the young man reaches for the woman again. Using the last of his strength, he barely manages it, but they climax simultaneously, screaming, bucking, clawing and ripping the bed sheets. The exhausted man falls onto his back, gasping. Barely able to turn his head, he looks into her eyes, smiles proudly, and asks again, "You finish?" Barely able to speak, she whispers in his ear, "No! I Norwegian."
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Friday, March 23, 2007
Windsor TEFL Courses Update
This is the official notice on the Trinity College London website
Validation withdrawal from Windsor Schools
Trinity College London withdrew validation for its CertTESOL courses from Windsor Schools in Windsor and London as of 31 December 2006. The effects of this decison are as follows:
* no certificate TESOL course starting at Windsor Schools in Windsor and Londonon or after 1 January 2007 has been validated by Trinity College London
* trainees participating on those courses will not be moderated by Trinity or be eligible to receive a Trinity certificate
* trainees participating on those courses will not be able to be moderated by Trinity at another centre
* trainees who completed courses during 2006, or who completed courses that started during 2006 and finished in 2007, have been moderated and received certificate where appropriate
* Trinity certificates held by those trainees are valid as evidence of completion of training and work to the required standards on a validated Trinity CertTESOL course.
* trainees who have registered for certificate TESOL courses starting on or after 1 January 2007 should seek independent advice as to what action to take; Trinity regrets that if they undertake different CertTESOL courses of training at other Trinity validated course providers, they cannot be given credit for hours or assignments completed on the non-Trinity (non-validated) courses at Windsor Schools in Windsor and London.
Trinity College London does not anticipate reinstating validation at Windsor Schools Windsor and London.
This is the official notice on the Windsor TEFL Courses Website!
We offer the Trinity Certificate TEFL courses at our fully owned centres in London, Windsor, Barcelona and Madrid
We also offer the Cambridge CELTA TEFL courses in Bangkok, Budapest, Prague, Rome, Denver, Seville, and Barcelona (off-peak)
And TEFL courses in Florence, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Cusco in Peru, Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Santiago in Chile, Playa del Carmen in Mexico, and our own Windsor Cert. in Oxford
10 good reasons why you should decide on Windsor TEFL courses
* WE RUN the Trinity College London TEFL (TESOL) Certificate at our own centres which has both international status and British Council recognition
* WE ALSO operate, in conjunction with fully validated partner schools, the Cambridge CELTA – this is the only other Cert. accepted worldwide without quibble.
blah blah blahzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
There is a disclaimer. Are are ready?
Site being updated. Please do not consider every element is current.
I fink Mister Lowe means evryfink mite be big fibbs.
Oh by the way, there were apparently six poor souls who "graduated" recently from Windsor TEFL courses with a Mickey Mouse certificate. If they send him their names and addresses, The Inspector will dispatch six studded cucumbers by return of post for use on the occasion of their next meeting with Paul Lowe.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Validation withdrawal from Windsor Schools
Trinity College London withdrew validation for its CertTESOL courses from Windsor Schools in Windsor and London as of 31 December 2006. The effects of this decison are as follows:
* no certificate TESOL course starting at Windsor Schools in Windsor and Londonon or after 1 January 2007 has been validated by Trinity College London
* trainees participating on those courses will not be moderated by Trinity or be eligible to receive a Trinity certificate
* trainees participating on those courses will not be able to be moderated by Trinity at another centre
* trainees who completed courses during 2006, or who completed courses that started during 2006 and finished in 2007, have been moderated and received certificate where appropriate
* Trinity certificates held by those trainees are valid as evidence of completion of training and work to the required standards on a validated Trinity CertTESOL course.
* trainees who have registered for certificate TESOL courses starting on or after 1 January 2007 should seek independent advice as to what action to take; Trinity regrets that if they undertake different CertTESOL courses of training at other Trinity validated course providers, they cannot be given credit for hours or assignments completed on the non-Trinity (non-validated) courses at Windsor Schools in Windsor and London.
Trinity College London does not anticipate reinstating validation at Windsor Schools Windsor and London.
This is the official notice on the Windsor TEFL Courses Website!
We offer the Trinity Certificate TEFL courses at our fully owned centres in London, Windsor, Barcelona and Madrid
We also offer the Cambridge CELTA TEFL courses in Bangkok, Budapest, Prague, Rome, Denver, Seville, and Barcelona (off-peak)
And TEFL courses in Florence, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Cusco in Peru, Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Santiago in Chile, Playa del Carmen in Mexico, and our own Windsor Cert. in Oxford
10 good reasons why you should decide on Windsor TEFL courses
* WE RUN the Trinity College London TEFL (TESOL) Certificate at our own centres which has both international status and British Council recognition
* WE ALSO operate, in conjunction with fully validated partner schools, the Cambridge CELTA – this is the only other Cert. accepted worldwide without quibble.
blah blah blahzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
There is a disclaimer. Are are ready?
Site being updated. Please do not consider every element is current.
I fink Mister Lowe means evryfink mite be big fibbs.
Oh by the way, there were apparently six poor souls who "graduated" recently from Windsor TEFL courses with a Mickey Mouse certificate. If they send him their names and addresses, The Inspector will dispatch six studded cucumbers by return of post for use on the occasion of their next meeting with Paul Lowe.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Friday, March 16, 2007
TEFL Worldwide Prague
A RECOMMENDED SCHOOLDo read the amended entry for TEFL Worldwide Prague
Click HERE to view their promotional video. With this The Inspector feels he has totally repaid the unfair slagging off they received on The TEFL Blacklist.
Let this be a warning to any disgrunted person with a chip on their shoulder. If exposed you will result in having the opposite reaction to that intended, in that The Inspector will send out wave after wave of good PR to compensate the unfairly maligned school. I should add that TEFL Worldwide Prague has NEVER been in contact with your noble sleuth.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Tuesday, March 13, 2007
An Ambassador is Recalled
Absolutely nothing to do with TEFL but I was so amused by this article on the BBC website I just had to post it here, as it's priceless. For all you politically correct lot out there The Inspector would like to state categorically that he is not having a dig at:
Israel has recalled its ambassador to El Salvador after he was found drunk and naked apart from bondage gear.
Reports say he was able to identify himself to police only after a rubber ball had been removed from his mouth.
A foreign ministry official described Ambassador Tzuriel Refael's behaviour as an unprecedented embarrassment.
The incident, which happened two weeks ago, has renewed calls for a radical overhaul of the way Israel appoints and promotes its diplomats.
San Salvador was Mr Refael's first post as ambassador. He was promoted in 2006 from a technical position in the ministry which had involved several foreign postings.
He was being recalled, although he had not broken any laws, foreign ministry spokeswoman Zehavit Ben-Hillel told reporters.
She confirmed that lurid reports of the incident in the Israeli press were accurate.
"We're talking about behaviour that is unbecoming of a diplomat," she said.
Israel has been rocked by a recent series of misconduct and corruption scandals, shaking public confidence in the political leadership.
Haaretz website reports that police found Mr Refael in the Israeli embassy compound where he had been found bound, gagged and naked apart from sado-masochistic sex accessories.
- Israel
- El Salvador
- Bondage (definitely not)
- Politicians
- Rubber Balls
- Cucumbers
Israel recalls 'naked ambassador'
Israel has recalled its ambassador to El Salvador after he was found drunk and naked apart from bondage gear.
A foreign ministry official described Ambassador Tzuriel Refael's behaviour as an unprecedented embarrassment.
The incident, which happened two weeks ago, has renewed calls for a radical overhaul of the way Israel appoints and promotes its diplomats.
San Salvador was Mr Refael's first post as ambassador. He was promoted in 2006 from a technical position in the ministry which had involved several foreign postings.
He was being recalled, although he had not broken any laws, foreign ministry spokeswoman Zehavit Ben-Hillel told reporters.
She confirmed that lurid reports of the incident in the Israeli press were accurate.
"We're talking about behaviour that is unbecoming of a diplomat," she said.
Israel has been rocked by a recent series of misconduct and corruption scandals, shaking public confidence in the political leadership.
Haaretz website reports that police found Mr Refael in the Israeli embassy compound where he had been found bound, gagged and naked apart from sado-masochistic sex accessories.
With a bit of luck this might be common practice over there. The Inspector can think of a few language school owners who might enjoy a trip to the sun although there is always the risk that if their wives call they might have to say that they can't come to the phone as they're tied up.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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The Inspector is Exposed
Rum times and all that. Those of you who guessed that The Inspector's motives were not, eehrm shall we say all that they seemed, will be snorting tonight over a pint or two of fermented yak's milk (yes that wonderful drink is catching on)!
The real truth is that ever since Lady Florence McHammered divorced me, I've been pursued relentlessly from place to place. Luckily my good colleagues at Scotland Lard are shielding me as best they can from bailiffs and the like but the old bat screwed me for every last bean in court and I'm damned if I'll just hand it all over to her, well it's not reasonable. After all's said and done, who laundered the bloody stuff? So an 80 day around the world TEFL trip seemed the ideal solution to escape from her greedy clutches.
I got out of Italy by the skin of my teeth. She arrived in Cognito only a couple of hours after I'd left and now it seems the old cow's on her way to Val Ferret! I'm going to have to make a break for it under cover of darkness.
I'll disguise my appearance and just disappear for a while, naturally after covering my (yak) tracks so to speak. I've hired a car but God help me if she gets anywhere near it as she's quite likely to do something to the brakes and after the demise of the yak, I now realise that it's a long way down (as the Bishop said to the Actress, but I digress). I'm nearly done with Switzerland, to be honest, and just to let you know, in the strictest confidence, the Swiss don't appreciate the old Inspector's humour. Unexpected breaking of wind, the odd burp, saucy jokes....no joy, not even a brief flicker of a smile from the locals, even my fruity exploits in The Banana Club in Amsterdam were about as popular as a fart in a crowded lift.
Switzerland is definitely not a bundle of laughs! Plenty of mountains, nice fondue, loads of gnomes, but not a joke in sight! Definitely Rum times! Now that I think of it, I'm just about ready for a swift tot of Jamaican best!
Before I go though I'll be entering the Dragon's Lair very soon.
Yes dear readers, Inlingua have their HQ in Bern, which apparently means Bear (as in hug). Whether I can bear it though is another matter. Hopefully I'll emerge in one piece from the notorious Inlingua Dungeon and (after debriefing) be able to report back to all ye TEFL troops at the various frontlines around the world and having prised open the doors to the Inlingua Fortress, God willing, will be able to fill you in on the Inlingua "way".
With a bit of luck Lady Florence won't be around. The old tart has a numbered Swiss bank account and might just try to kill two birds with one stone. Nail The Inspector and make a quick deposit. Anyway mum's the word. It'll be a hush hush operation behind enemy lines.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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The real truth is that ever since Lady Florence McHammered divorced me, I've been pursued relentlessly from place to place. Luckily my good colleagues at Scotland Lard are shielding me as best they can from bailiffs and the like but the old bat screwed me for every last bean in court and I'm damned if I'll just hand it all over to her, well it's not reasonable. After all's said and done, who laundered the bloody stuff? So an 80 day around the world TEFL trip seemed the ideal solution to escape from her greedy clutches.
I got out of Italy by the skin of my teeth. She arrived in Cognito only a couple of hours after I'd left and now it seems the old cow's on her way to Val Ferret! I'm going to have to make a break for it under cover of darkness.
I'll disguise my appearance and just disappear for a while, naturally after covering my (yak) tracks so to speak. I've hired a car but God help me if she gets anywhere near it as she's quite likely to do something to the brakes and after the demise of the yak, I now realise that it's a long way down (as the Bishop said to the Actress, but I digress). I'm nearly done with Switzerland, to be honest, and just to let you know, in the strictest confidence, the Swiss don't appreciate the old Inspector's humour. Unexpected breaking of wind, the odd burp, saucy jokes....no joy, not even a brief flicker of a smile from the locals, even my fruity exploits in The Banana Club in Amsterdam were about as popular as a fart in a crowded lift.
Switzerland is definitely not a bundle of laughs! Plenty of mountains, nice fondue, loads of gnomes, but not a joke in sight! Definitely Rum times! Now that I think of it, I'm just about ready for a swift tot of Jamaican best!
Before I go though I'll be entering the Dragon's Lair very soon.
Yes dear readers, Inlingua have their HQ in Bern, which apparently means Bear (as in hug). Whether I can bear it though is another matter. Hopefully I'll emerge in one piece from the notorious Inlingua Dungeon and (after debriefing) be able to report back to all ye TEFL troops at the various frontlines around the world and having prised open the doors to the Inlingua Fortress, God willing, will be able to fill you in on the Inlingua "way".
With a bit of luck Lady Florence won't be around. The old tart has a numbered Swiss bank account and might just try to kill two birds with one stone. Nail The Inspector and make a quick deposit. Anyway mum's the word. It'll be a hush hush operation behind enemy lines.
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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Monday, March 12, 2007
Hull's School Zurich Switzerland
It's been a bad day. The bloody yak had to be put down after it hurtled down one of the Black slopes in Val Ferret, totally out of control and shot over a particularly sheer drop, landing with a nasty splat on the valley floor. Just knew those cucumber skis wouldn't bear the weight! No problem I'll get another one to continue the eighty day TEFL journey around the world.The Inspector feels a bit of a tease this morning and has therefore decided to tease a school out of the woodwork.
For those of his regular readers, Cicero Languages International of Tonbridge Wells, will be a familiar name. Some shenanigans had gone on donkeys years ago in Russia, of which nobody currently working at the school strangely remembered anything. The new owner, Christopher Hills, can count himself extremely lucky to have been removed from The TEFL Blacklist, as his initial response was aggressive to say the least.
Not one to be vindictive (as you well know), The Inspector took note of the consequent outpourings of devotion from the Cicero Languages International staff and decided that the evidence against the school was not strong enough to deserve a blacklisting, but nevertheless he was deeply suspicious of the pompous tone emanating from Christopher Hills.
So what is the connection with Hull's School Zurich Switzerland you are no doubt asking yourselves. Well to put it bluntly, can a Hull be a Hill?
Is Robin Hull of the same ilk as Christopher Hills? Is he simply someone who enjoys trophy collecting and inspecting other schools, with the ego trip that this provides, or is he just a nice misunderstood bloke? Maybe Christopher Hills is a member of Greenpeace and donates to Doctor Barnados but I personally have my doubts, unfair as they may seem to Mr. Hills & Co.
Well we'll find out by flushing Mr. Robin Hull out!
The Inspector came across Hull's School, the other day during a day trip to Zurich, and decided to post it here partly because Hull's School seems to be obsessed with badge collection, you know member of this and that, all designed to impress and partly because Hull's School is a member of International House! Read this:
How do you recognise a good language school?
Good language schools have one or more of the following quality seals:
• International House
• Bell ’s
• EAQUALS (European Association of Quality Language Services)
• ISO
• British Council (nur für Schulen in England)
What guarantees do these quality seals entail?
• Qualified teachers
• Goal-oriented and structured programmes of study
• Individual learner support
• State-of-the-art facilities (including a self-access centre)
• Efficient administration
• Veracity of any information provided in the school’s publicity
• Professional placement of new students
So what's missing?
Yup absolutely no mention whatsoever about the poor mugs at the coal face - the teachers. Who honestly gives a stuff whether a language school has Bell's approval, or for that matter Johnny Walker's or Teacher's. None of these badges seem to tell you anything about how they treat their teachers. Your beloved Inspector is fed up reading about these "quality seals" which are about as much use as performing seals, in telling you anything meaningful about a school. It's mostly propaganda designed to push up sales. And guess what? The punters fall for it like lemmings.
The final straw for The Inspector was this passage:
"Robin Hull, himself a long-standing member and a school inspector of both International House and EAQUALS has visited most of the schools personally."
Most? What about visiting ALL of them squire?
If you want to pay Hull's School a visit they can be found at:
Hull's School
Seehofstrasse 3
8008 Zürich
A bizarre element is their slogan "Zurich's Downtown International School". Considering how much they witter on about the Cambridge exams, it seems an unusual lapse into American English. Perhaps the eminent Robin Hull is American, or perhaps he's just trying to sound cool.
P.S For those of you wondering, The Inspector's photo in his profile was taken when he was a much younger Police Constable (plain clothes). He was known in the Force as a bit of a ladies man, which unfortunately led to the break up of his sixth marriage to Lady Florence McHammered. The Inspector would like to take this opportunity to vehemently deny the scurrilous allegations published in The Times concerning a scuba diving outfit, riding whip and a certain Miss B. Ondage (apparently known as Big Bertha).
Inspector McHammered of the Lard in Val Ferret, Switzerland
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