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New language school - to avoid!
Oct 31, 2013 @ 09:54

Last night I attended an event posted as a member activity "French conversation club" which turned out to be a commercial sales event. A new school using rather desperate tactics to try to attract students.

There were a few problems:

Once signed up, a person (female) using someone elses account (male) sent a message, with a link asking about language school courses

The event was eventually removed from the glocals site rather than marked as full, which should have been a sign but as the event was near to my office, .. decided to attended anyway.

There was a resturant booking for 18 people but the resturant were not aware of the type of event, and refused to host it.

A short search for a new resturant willing to take the part of the class who were on time was fruitful, and we started a bit late. Anyone later than that would never have found the new venue.

A conversation club doesn't usually need a teacher but, as the person (commendably) came prepared to teach, lets just say it as it is. That's one teacher for 18 people!



I'm not a great fan of language schools, and generally think that it's better to cut out the middle man. This one however really takes the biscuit. Avoid!

The text you are quoting:

Last night I attended an event posted as a member activity "French conversation club" which turned out to be a commercial sales event. A new school using rather desperate tactics to try to attract students.

There were a few problems:

Once signed up, a person (female) using someone elses account (male) sent a message, with a link asking about language school courses

The event was eventually removed from the glocals site rather than marked as full, which should have been a sign but as the event was near to my office, .. decided to attended anyway.

There was a resturant booking for 18 people but the resturant were not aware of the type of event, and refused to host it.

A short search for a new resturant willing to take the part of the class who were on time was fruitful, and we started a bit late. Anyone later than that would never have found the new venue.

A conversation club doesn't usually need a teacher but, as the person (commendably) came prepared to teach, lets just say it as it is. That's one teacher for 18 people!



I'm not a great fan of language schools, and generally think that it's better to cut out the middle man. This one however really takes the biscuit. Avoid!


Richard HOct 31, 2013 @ 09:54
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 1
Oct 31, 2013 @ 11:22

Do you know what school it was?

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Do you know what school it was?


buzzcocks, Oct 31, 2013 @ 11:22
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 2
Oct 31, 2013 @ 11:48

Yes,


In fact they posted again today, right now, but this time they are a little more open about what is actually on offer:


http://www.glocals.com/things-to-do/events_view/lausanne/64280.htm

The text you are quoting:

Yes,


In fact they posted again today, right now, but this time they are a little more open about what is actually on offer:


http://www.glocals.com/things-to-do/events_view/lausanne/64280.htm


Richard H, Oct 31, 2013 @ 11:48
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 3
Oct 31, 2013 @ 12:02

Ah yes,I know this school.At least this time they have named themselves in the posting.


Why are you against language schools? Some are very professional and have high standards. Cutting out " the middleman" as you put it ,can leave you in the hands of a private " teacher" with no training who charges you a fortune and,in effect,rips you off.

The text you are quoting:

Ah yes,I know this school.At least this time they have named themselves in the posting.


Why are you against language schools? Some are very professional and have high standards. Cutting out " the middleman" as you put it ,can leave you in the hands of a private " teacher" with no training who charges you a fortune and,in effect,rips you off.


buzzcocks, Oct 31, 2013 @ 12:02
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 4
Oct 31, 2013 @ 13:51

Ah yes,I know this school.At least this time they have named themselves in the posting.

Why are you against language schools? Some are very professional and have high standards. Cutting out " the middleman" as you put it ,can leave you in the hands of a private " teacher" with no training who charges you a fortune and,in effect,rips you off.


Oct 31, 13 12:02

Probably right, although if there are good schools in Lausanne, then not the ones my various employers have used. My experience is more that the schools will take anyone willing to call themselves a teacher for 30.- per hour then place as many students as possible in a group woh pay 100.- per hour each.


Better to find a private teacher, check their credentials and come up with a reasonable price for both parties.

The text you are quoting:

Probably right, although if there are good schools in Lausanne, then not the ones my various employers have used. My experience is more that the schools will take anyone willing to call themselves a teacher for 30.- per hour then place as many students as possible in a group woh pay 100.- per hour each.


Better to find a private teacher, check their credentials and come up with a reasonable price for both parties.


Richard H, Oct 31, 2013 @ 13:51
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 5
Oct 31, 2013 @ 20:13

Ah yes,I know this school.At least this time they have named themselves in the posting.

Why are you against language schools? Some are very professional and have high standards. Cutting out " the middleman" as you put it ,can leave you in the hands of a private " teacher" with no training who charges you a fortune and,in effect,rips you off.


Oct 31, 13 12:02

I am a private English language tutor, who has more than adequate training, plus 25 years experience, and who certainly does not "rip you off", so perhaps these remarks have a tinge of the sweeping generalisation? Most of us pride ourselves on giving value for money and enjoyment to our students whilst so doing.

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I am a private English language tutor, who has more than adequate training, plus 25 years experience, and who certainly does not "rip you off", so perhaps these remarks have a tinge of the sweeping generalisation? Most of us pride ourselves on giving value for money and enjoyment to our students whilst so doing.


sheila c, Oct 31, 2013 @ 20:13
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 6
Oct 31, 2013 @ 20:33

Apologies but i have lived here over 20 years and seen a lot of things.

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Apologies but i have lived here over 20 years and seen a lot of things.


buzzcocks, Oct 31, 2013 @ 20:33
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Re: New language school - to avoid!
Post 7
Nov 1, 2013 @ 10:19

Apologies but i have lived here over 20 years and seen a lot of things.


Oct 31, 13 20:33

You are right of course, there are good and bad schools and good and bad teachers... Personal recomendation is the best way to find a good one, but even then, personality plays a part.The right teacher for the right person is key to efficient learning.


A good friend used to work as a german teacher for 30.- per hour when her 5 students paid over 100.- each for the same hour. Although this was probably quite a good (qualified) teacher, when she asked for a pay rise, was told that they could easily find a student to replace her for a lower salary!


I agreed personal terms with a very good french teacher, who had been employed by a school contracted by an ex-employer. For the same hours, I paid half the price and she got twice the salary and was motivated enough to spend some extra time finding relevant material, etc... 


 

The text you are quoting:

You are right of course, there are good and bad schools and good and bad teachers... Personal recomendation is the best way to find a good one, but even then, personality plays a part.The right teacher for the right person is key to efficient learning.


A good friend used to work as a german teacher for 30.- per hour when her 5 students paid over 100.- each for the same hour. Although this was probably quite a good (qualified) teacher, when she asked for a pay rise, was told that they could easily find a student to replace her for a lower salary!


I agreed personal terms with a very good french teacher, who had been employed by a school contracted by an ex-employer. For the same hours, I paid half the price and she got twice the salary and was motivated enough to spend some extra time finding relevant material, etc... 


 


Richard H, Nov 1, 2013 @ 10:19
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