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| One-on-One Business Lesson |
Canterbury English's TEFL Course is the easiest, most affordable and exciting way to live and work abroad in Madrid, Spain. This includes our competitive prices, monthly Canterbury Club social activities and a guaranteed job!
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Why is the choice of a guaranteed job teaching English in Madrid, Spain with Canterbury English one of the golden opportunities of your life?
Honesty is one of the few things left in the world that is real and genuine. Thus, it is better to start with the truth.
No matter what you may hear, the reality is that it is very difficult to find a job in Spain. The unemployment rate is 12%. This is further compounded if you are not a member of the European Union. Most people who teach English in Spain do not work full time at any one institution, but they work part time at several places teaching a variety of classes to try to build up to a full time schedule of 20-25 hours per week.
The true full market pay rates at academies
in Madrid range from 13 to 18 euros per hour.. This is based
on many factors including the experience of the teacher, the
difficulty of the class, whether the class is a one to one class
or a group class, whether the class is a general English class
or a business English class, and the number of hours that you
are contracted to work. The average pay rate for group classes
in companies and businesses is 15 euros per hour. In addition,
private classes usually pay between 13 to 20 euros per hour
depending on the teachers experience, but are more unstable
as students often stop classes without warning at any time during
the year.
Now, taking the “truth” of the work situation into account, why should you choose the Canterbury TEFL program?
First of all, after earning your International TEFL Certificate at Canterbury, if you desire, you will be provided with a guaranteed job teaching English in Madrid during the school year! In addition, Canterbury will guarantee you a summer job as well, including the opportunity to teach at camps located throughout Spain during the months of July and August.
Typically the only way other courses help their students to get a job is by providing them with a list of English schools in Spain where their graduates have been hired in the past or by mass mailing their resumes to academies. (Of course, Canterbury can do this for you as well.) However, we receive many job applications and telephone calls inquiring about teaching jobs from graduates of other TEFL programs, and often we have to turn them away because our own TEFL graduates are our first priority.
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Other large corporate centers specialize in TEFL certificates only and do not teach English at all. We have been providing English teaching jobs for teachers in Madrid since 1991. Canterbury´s program is small and highly selective and is designed to be specialized in both TEFL and English teaching. Thus, being accepted at Canterbury means that you automatically make that next step of looking for a job. Coming to Spain is a big move for people, by providing our TEFL students with automatic jobs, we make that move very easy.
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Moreover, you will gain invaluable real teaching experience in our course that is not found in other programs, and the confidence necessary to stand in front of a group of non native English speaking students and teach English as a foreign language. After you have obtained your certificate, you will have both the opportunity to teach at any other institutions that you desire as well as a guaranteed job at Canterbury. For people who are shopping for a TEFL program, this should be a key factor in deciding which one to choose.
Another important difference at Canterbury includes being paid for teaching classes that begin during the course. Theoretical training is important, but there is no substitute for experience. Standing in front of a group of non native English speakers and teaching an English class in a foreign country is not easy. For those with little or no teaching experience, it can be a daunting experience. Canterbury realizes this. Our program is specifically designed to guide you, to help you and walk you through this process so that you attain the confidence necessary to do this by the end of the course.
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Be careful to specifically ask other programs how many hours you will actually teach "real" classes with real non-native speaking students because many times this figure is less than 10 hours of the entire 120 hour course!
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Our philosophy includes both a "LEARN BY DOING" approach together with a "PAID FOR DOING" policy. Thus, each TEFL trainee must teach a total of 40 hours of classes with non-native speaking students to fulfill the 120 hour course requirements and obtain their TEFL certificate. This is by far the highest number of real teaching hours offered by any TEFL program. Moreover, you will be paid for teaching these classes as well. As a trainee, you will be hard pressed to find a better situation than that!
Unlike other TEFL programs, Canterbury devotes a significant amount of time concentrating on the techniques of teaching children. Every trainee participates in eight separate sessions of 2.5 hours each, or 20 hours total of children practice teaching. Considering that 50 % of the job offers around the world involve teaching children, this is another important point to consider when shopping for a TEFL program. Many TEFL programs, including the CELTA, cover this topic in passing, if at all. We feel this is an oversight.
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Perhaps because of the shifting job market to the teaching of children, together with the major insufficiency of a children teaching section in the original CELTA program, many CELTA providers are now offering additional young learner certificate courses of 20 to 30 hours duration on aspects of teaching English to young learners for an additional 380 euros on top of the initial 1,350€ course price. Remember, CELTA stands for Certificate of English Language Teaching of Adults.
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Moreover, Canterbury also dedicates a substantial amount of time directed toward the techniques of teaching business English to professionals. Again, all trainees participate in eight separate sessions of 2.5 hours each, or 20 hours total of business English practice teaching.
A further distinction of the Canterbury program is a DVD copy of your final oral teaching presentation exam. This is a powerful tool to use with future employers. In addition to your certificate, work experience and recommendations from Canterbury, you have the ability to show yourself teaching an actual thirty minute class to any prospective employer. This gives you a sizable competitive edge in the job market. Canterbury also provides you with classes on resume writing, marketing yourself, and their well known and respected job references.
At Canterbury you will find an uncommon, singular, intimate, and prestigious program that costs less than any of our major competitors. The classes, being much smaller, are much more interactive and the end result is that you, the student, obtain much more from the program. We believe "ACCESSIBILITY" is EDUCATION. Thus, all of our teachers as well as all of our directors and staff are always accessible to our students. At Canterbury you will find a fun, relaxed place to study and work abroad that is made up of friends and family. Canterbury is a throwback to the good old days where each man's word is honoured and respected, and not a place where you get the feeling that you are just another number...
Other programs boast of churning out 1000's of TEFL graduates. They litter their advertising with all kinds of excessive quotations from many faceless graduates and nameless institutions. In contrast, our testimonials are clear, well thought out essays written by real people who have thoroughly enjoyed their experiences at Canterbury. Their email addresses are accessible for anyone who would like firsthand information about the program.
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Consider the following excerpts from the testimonials of Michelle Cervantes and Robert Thornburn:
"The absolute best part of Canterbury is the guaranteed job. With Canterbury it is even possible to start teaching English in Madrid before you finish the TEFL program. This will save you a lot of stress. I had friends who worked for other companies and it took some of them almost two months to find enough work to survive."
Michelle Cervantes - Class of August 2005
"Like most things, the key to becoming better at it, is experience. Canterbury provides its teachers with key presentation assignments throughout the course to get your feet more than wet. Students actually start earning through teaching before they finish the course. Canterbury does provide its teachers with paying students/clients. There are other language schools claiming this, but it's a sad fact that not all deliver. Canterbury wants you to work. In fact, you must satisfy their minimum teaching hours requirement before you receive your TEFL certificate."
Robert Thornburn - Class of August 2004
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| Directors James and J.B. |
At Canterbury you will not find corporate America. You will find an unconventional, unusually caring, close-knit family atmosphere. You will find intensive Spanish classes at the Garcia Lorca Spanish School that are offered at a 30 % discount to all Canterbury TEFL students to help them study and learn Spanish at the same time. You will also find free internet & photocopy services, and lifetime job assistance. If you desire, you will find a guaranteed teaching job during the school year in Madrid and a guaranteed summer job with the possibility of teaching somewhere in Spain. And of course, you will find the Canterbury Club, which separates Canterbury from all the other programs; a truly unique association, that brings together teachers, students, and international friends from all over the world.
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| Canterbury Picnic/Football Game |
You are also warmly welcomed into the Canterbury Club. With Canterbury, you will receive an exciting choice of monthly social activities through our club, which is attended by a large number of our professors and students. With our club, you have an excellent vehicle to make friends and discover Spain. Also, you get a chance to socialize with the Canterbury teachers and office staff, instead of just seeing us behind desks. This is the real bona-fide "family vision" that we foster.
Everyone in the TEFL program who wishes to, participates in the Canterbury Club and the one or two extra-curricular activities a month that Canterbury offers to students (pub nights, road trips, excursions, movie nights, dinners, etc.). These events are attended and run by Canterbury directors, trainers and staff. This is the key to our
friendly, family environment, that we take great care to create and encourage. Our club is an enjoyable part of our program that is unique to this school. The Club is supported by a monthly newsletter, with details of the monthly events, a conversation topic, as well as a teacher and student of the month. This greatly helps to integrate everyone into the school and the Spanish culture, where Spanish students of English, TEFL students, friends, family and teachers mix and have a great time together, creating lasting friendships and memorable experiences in Spain that last well beyond the duration of the TEFL course.
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| Cara, Sliver TEFL Award 2004 |
The school year kicks off with the traditional Vendimia Grape Harvest Party in October, and culminates with the annual Picnic/European Football Match with all the teachers and students in the Retiro Park in June. One of the highlight events on the Canterbury Club calendar is the TEFL Graduation Ceremony, a significant event for the Canterbury TEFL students that is held every Spring, usually in April or May. There are guest speakers and awards given out for outstanding merit including trophies for the bronze, silver, and gold TEFL students of the year, on stage at El Leon de Oro (The Golden Lion). Afterwards, of course, there is a TEFL Graduation Party with assorted foods, drinks and live music!
The program also includes Spanish culture classes on history, civilisation, art, politics and drama. Our cultural agenda includes guided excursions to attractions such as the
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THE CANTERBURY CLUB
2008 EVENTS: |
| January: |
Bowling Night
Ski and Sledding Trip |
| February: |
Flamenco Night
Billiards/Pool Night |
| March: |
Movie Night
Las Fallas Excursion |
| April: |
Irish Pub Night
Karaoke Night |
| May: |
TEFL Graduation Party
Saturday Bullfight & BBQ |
| June: |
Terraza Night
Picnic/Football Game |
| July: |
4th of July Barbecue Party
Salsa Dance Party |
| August: |
Martini Cocktail Party
La Tomatina |
| September: |
50’s Dance Night |
| October: |
Vendimia Grape Harvest
9th Anniversary Party |
| November: |
Thanksgiving Pot Luck
Real Madrid Football Night |
| December: |
Christmas Party
Mountain Trekking Trip |
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Medrano Cave in Argamasilla de Alba, where,
according to popular legend, Cervantes was kept prisoner,
and where he started writing Don Quijote; the famous Celtic-Iberian
city of Numancia, and the Roman Amphitheater
and impressive ruins of Segóbriga,
a famous Roman city that was discovered about 30 years ago
near Madrid. This improves the relationship between teachers
and pupils, who become friends and thus create a better atmosphere
in the classroom and enable a greater understanding
of life in Spain, its residents and culture. The
activities facilitate contact with Spaniards and, thus, considerably
accelerate the cultural learning process.
Thus, the Canterbury
Club never forgets to stop and smell the roses with a
strong lemon twist of adventure and fun times at the autumn
Grape Harvest Party, the winter Flamenco
Night, the spring Barbecue & Bullfight
and the summer Terraza (outdoor café) Night, as well as the
Retiro Park Sangría Picnic & Soccer Day.
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The Garcia Lorca Spanish School
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SPECIAL OFFER for students taking The Canterbury International TEFL Certificate!!
The students who do our TEFL certificate program, can also take the Garcia Lorca Spanish Course. The times of both programs are designed to leave you free to teach English classes in the evenings, while the courses are in progress.
For students who do both programs, there is a 30% discount on the Spanish program. The Spanish program, normally 699 Euros, is then only 499 Euros.
The Spanish course is an eighty hour intensive program taught over four weeks. Most other programs at best offer some free Spanish classes. A few weeks of sporadic classes of an hour once every few days will give you little more than a smattering of Spanish. We believe that for the student who is serious about learning the language (after English, Spanish is the second most important language in today's world and for many TEFL students, their number one reason in choosing Spain as a destination is to learn and become fluent in Spanish), the only realistic way is to enroll in a total immersion program. Of course, in Madrid there are dozens of similar total immersion programs, but they cost much more starting at 1,000 Euros. For more complete and extensive information visit
Lorcaspanishschool.com.
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General Information and Facilities
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The Madrid center is located at Calle
Gran Via 54, 6th Floor, Office 1, approximately
5 minutes walk from the Callao/ Santo Domingo/ Gran Via subway
lines in the heart of historic, downtown Madrid,
which has a wide variety of cultural, shopping and entertainment
activities.
The office is open from 9.30 to 18.00, Monday to Friday.
Our Director of Studies is on site to help students settle and
deal with any problems that may arise during the course.
A large selection of resource / textbooks is available for lesson
preparation and teaching practice.
- Free Internet and
Photocopier access year round.
- Television and videos
are available for use by students.
- Classrooms are comfortably
furnished and air conditioned.
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Bronze Teacher, Dan, with
Director, Richard, June, 1999 |
Do any of the following scenarios sound familiar to you?
· Are you a recent college graduate who would like to take some time
off before graduate school or starting a corporate job?
· Have you had enough of the corporate world and would like to start
a new career path and life for yourself?
· Do you enjoy travelling and meeting new people on perhaps a long term, lifetime journey, or maybe a brief escape from the inevitable 30 year mortgage of middle America or Great Britain?
Now ask yourself a few questions:
· Have you ever thought about living, really living and not just visiting, outside your home country?
· Would you like to learn another language?
· Could you see yourself living the Spanish lifestyle in a warm, sunny climate?
The truth is that Canterbury is probably what you are looking for. Madrid is the vibrant capital of Spain, which has a low cost of living, coupled with the greatest nightlife in all of Europe! Canterbury offers exciting opportunities for students and alumni of universities throughout the world to teach English, while experiencing the thrills of cultural diversity through living in a foreign country! We are committed to accept, to challenge, and to inspire people to make a life instead of just a living. Teaching English as a foreign language is not only profoundly rewarding for teachers, who gain both an enhanced world-view and crucial experience in a demanding profession, but as a site of cultural cross-over it holds significant implications for the globalized world. The English language opens the possibility for enhanced communication and cultural exchange. The English classroom under these circumstances is in no way a place of clearly defined hierarchies, at least in the global sense. Instead, it is a site of significant cultural cross-pollination, where not only languages, but also customs, ideas, and opinions overlap. Instructors must be open to such realities, and constantly remind themselves that they, like their students, are strangers inhabiting a new and different world.
Canterbury, a committment to accept
to challenge
to inspire
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