Sunday, June 7, 2009

Crap Job! Crap Job! Leeds Language College!!

I can remember that, back on the old TeflTrade blog (RIP), I used to do a 'Crap Job of the Month' posting every month or so. Now, for some odd reason I seem to have overlooked this essential weapon in the current TEFL Tradesman's armoury, but I have recently had a stiff and sobering reminder of the need for eternal vigilance and a permanent state of readiness in the war against TEFL shysters and bastards-deserving-of-being-shat-upon.

Because here's what must surely be the Crappiest EFL Job for 2009. Ladies and Gentlemen, and those of Indeterminate and Median status, let me introduce you to ... the Leeds Language College, where treading the treasured TEFL boards will get you the enormously generous sum of just over eight quid an hour!

For those with an eye on their career and an annual salary, that's, erm ... a starving starting salary of £12k a year for 30 hours of classroom capers per week. Don't believe me? Take a butcher's at the following then, from tefl.com, that essential repository of crappy jobs and dubious career prospects.

English Teacher - Leeds Language College Ltd
Location Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline Monday 15. June 2009
Experience 1 year
Positions 3

Wow - they've got three positions on the go! I wonder why?! And best not hang about - the deadline will be past in a week, and then your Golden Opportunity will be gone (but probably not forever). Anyway, take a quick look at the details below, which are almost exactly the same as those that attracted the attention of the Tefl Blacklist (RIP) last year...

Details
Qualified CELTA teacher required to teach English to foreign students (age18+) of all levels in a British Council accredited college in the centre of Leeds. Must be a proficient English speaker with degree level education. Average six hours daily. Three to nine hours subject to requirements (it is expected that this will give an average six hours daily over the year). Please send CV'S for the attention of Adam Priestley to LeedsLanguageCollege@yahoo.co.uk.

So, some days you'll only be wanted for three hours of teaching, on others it'll be nine. Well, that ain't too bad, is it? As long as you're awake, you'll probably pass muster for the undoubtedly demanding c*nt called Adam Priestley, who is too tight to even get a proper e-mail address!

Qualifications
Must have CELTA qualifications or equivalent. Degree level educated. Native English speaker.

Compensation
Guaranteed hours Monday-Friday all year round. Starting salary £12k+ per annum (30 hours per week).

My God - I wonder just how many people with a degree and a CELTA would consider flogging themselves for less than 250 quid a week? Surely a job on the checkout at Waitrose or Morrison's would get you more cash? Or even washing cars in the supermarket car park!

Anyway, you can give the skinflint c*nt called Adam Priestley a ring at the number below and tell him what to do with his arsehole of a job. In fact, I'll do that very thing tomorrow (Monday) and let you know how I get on! Anyway, it's high time we started dealing with these wrist-job rogues in the appropriate manner, so a bombardment of unpleasant phone calls would be a good way to start off the campaign against them! To the barricades (OK, pick up your mobiles, comrades...)!

Company/Organisation: Leeds Language College Ltd
Address: Provident House, Vicar Lane
Leeds, LS2 7NL
Telephone: 0113 242 7534
Contact person: Mr. Adam Priestley, Manager

By the way, I checked out the school's credentials at Companies House, and it turns out that our dashing businessman Adam Charles Priestley resides with his parents at a very nice place called Blue Firs in Southfields Road, Strensall, York, and was born in March 1974. Last year his Leeds Language College made a surplus of more than 22,000 quid, so I reckon he could spare a little more for his teachers, don't you?!

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Dear, You seem to be very bitter. I am a teacher as well and I cannot believe that another teacher uses such low vocabulary - bad image for the TEFL teachers, makes you wonder why we don't earn much money. Probably if you work a little bit harder instead of blogging (like me) you would earn the same amount of money as that cunt from Lousy Language College. You may have not noticed his business has been awarded the best business entrepeneur of the year for 2008 - check the web pages for Leeds - or if you want I can send you the link. - May be the reason why they are recruiting all the time - Don't you think mate.

Adam Priestley said...

Dear Mr McManus,

I have forwarded your e-mail and blog information to my legal advisers and reported you due to liable content. I will also be consulting the police for advice.

Yours sincerely

Adam Priestley

Principal

Anonymous said...

Adam - you really are a twat! The word you need is 'libel', and in this case it's 'libelous', the adjective, that you need, not 'liable'!

Still, who would expect a mere language school owner to know that?

And you're right - Sandy should not have called you a 'skinflint c*nt'. The phrase 'complete skinflint cunt' would have been much more appropriate, I reckon!

The TEFL Tradesman said...

From the BC report on the Leeds Language School...

"The British Council inspected and accredited Leeds Language College in October 2008.

This small private language school offers courses in general English for adults.

The inspection report noted a need for improvement in aspects of academic resources.

The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme."

'Need for improvement', eh? Clearly the resources cupboard was bare! But they still passed - incredible!? Of course, the 'Points of Excellence' that the BC reports usually highlight were ... none! No surprise there, then.

Anonymous said...

Jealous??? You sound it. I agree with the first teachers comments that you make a bad name for all us decent teachers.

Hey, I know, if it's so easy why not open your own college with a crazy name like jesus language academy.

My advice: Get a life looser and stop thinking so much about other peoples life. Bet your not in a relationship.... HA HA

Anonymous said...

Libel or libelous it seems that Sandy is getting into trouble with legal matters, I hope is earning enough to pay a lawyer to get him out of that and that his followers support him. Kate

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Anonymous (two above) - I guess you must be one of those 8 quid teachers, as your grasp of the language that you try to teach is minimal. Allow me to put you right...

1. I agree with the first teachers comments ...

Where's the apostrophe, dickhead? That should be "teacher's comments". And you think that you're a "decent teacher"? LOL!!

2. ...why not open your own college with a crazy name like jesus language academy.

It's customary to use capitals when referring to names of institutions, etc. Didn't you know that, "decent teacher"?! Plonker!! And why on Earth would I choose the name of 'Jesus'??

3. My advice: Get a life looser and stop thinking so much about other peoples life. Bet your not in a relationship.... HA HA

Oh dear, far too many mistakes here - I can see why you only get eight smackers an hour!

Firstly, the word is 'loser', not 'looser'. Your words provoke the question "Looser than what?" And the answer might well be "the screw that holds your brain in..."

"other peoples life" requires an apostrophe and you need "you're" instead of "your" - don't you know the difference? Cracking 'advice' you offer, tosspot!

And why would I not be in a relationship? I imagine you surely aren't either, probably living with your Mum (like Adam). In fact I'm married with kids, and I earn much more than you do, so...

... go fuck off, dickhead!!!

On second thoughts, just stay at LLC in Leeds - it's about your level.

Anonymous said...

I think the owner of Lousy Language College got a piece of shit in his shoe....I imagine is affecting him so much. Mike (Sorri for orthography but I am working I do not have much time to do spelling check darling)

Anonymous said...

Well Mr Faulty or whoever runs that hotel, sorry that school, I do not think have time to read all dis comments. They are just a Joke. With the exception of the second that sound understandable even for me that I am not a lawyer. Kate

None said...

Yeh, that's Sandy alright - embittered, pompous, and twattish; perhaps even worse!

But at least he don't rip off other teachers and he can write!

Now, I must go and make a call of support to that dear Mr Priestley...

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Didn't bottle it at all - he was out. But I left a message with the sweet-sounding receptionist.

I'll try again tomorrow, Adam...

Voice of Reason said...

Mr Priestley,

You can spend thousands on legal advisors. Just search big company names + "sucks". It's all out there.

A cheaper solution is to invest in Search Engine Optimization and this entry will end up on page 5+.

That's what the big companies do...

But if you can afford SEO marketing, maybe it might be better to pay the teachers a bit more? And if you can't then the posting is unfair.

You'll never get rid of SM... Walmart can't get rid of their SMs...

Anonymous said...

Mr McM,

Curious to know if this is a whinging site or if there is a goal here.

What positive actions do you think LLC would need to take for you to take down this posting?

What salary given the UK TEFL market would you find acceptable?

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Hmm, some interesting questions there, Anon (above). Let's take them one by one...

A whinging site? Of course it is! What's wrong with that? We all deserve a good whinge now and again, and the web's full of such sites. Anyway, whinging is part of the British character, and I'd hate people to think I'm a characterless bugger.

As for the goal; well, I just enjoy exposing these crap jobs, in the hope that fewer and fewer people will get conned into thinking teaching EFL in the UK is a valid career choice.

What actions could the skinflint cunt take to get rid of this blog-posting? Pay a better rate, mate - simple as that. Christ, even Paul Lowe is prepared to pay 15 quid an hour!!

As for the last question - what salary I would find acceptable - well, I don't think I would EVER find an hourly rate in the UK that would suit me and give the correct financial recognition of my qualifications, experience and skills, so that's why I don't work there anymore!

I know, I know - the UK market is probably saturated with CELTA-belters who are prepared to work for less than ten smackers an hour, and there are more than enough skinflint cunts like Adam Priestley to employ them.

But that don't mean it's right or good for the profession (or trade). Although, it does give me a lot of sitting ducks to target - teachers and employers.

Answer your question?

Anonymous said...

Are you an alcaholic?? Or just frustrated?? Freak

Anonymous said...

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to denote not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are closely related to, yet distinct from, the concept of freedom of thought. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on "hate speech".

The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as "the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression". Furthermore freedom of speech is recognized in European, inter-American and African regional human rights law.
According to the Freedom Forum Organization, legal systems, and society at large, recognize limits on the freedom of speech, particularly when freedom of speech conflicts with other values or rights.[18] Limitations to freedom of speech may follow the "harm principle" or the "offense principle", for example in the case of pornography or "hate speech".[19] Limitations to freedom of speech may occur through legal sanction and/or social disapprobation.
In "On Liberty" (1859) John Stuart Mill argued that "...there ought to exist the fullest liberty of professing and discussing, as a matter of ethical conviction, any doctrine, however immoral it may be considered."[20] Mill argues that the fullest liberty of expression is required to push arguments to their logical limits, rather than the limits of social embarrassment. However, Mill also introduced what is known as the harm principle, in placing the following limitation on free expression: "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.[20]

In 1985 Joel Feinberg introduced what is known as the "offence principle", arguing that Mill's harm principle does not provide sufficient protection against the wrongful behaviours of others. Feinberg wrote "It is always a good reason in support of a proposed criminal prohibition that it would probably be an effective way of preventing serious offense (as opposed to injury or harm) to persons other than the actor, and that it is probably a necessary means to that end. Hence Feinberg argues that the harm principle sets the bar too high and that some forms of expression can be legitimately prohibited by law because they are very offensive. But, as offending someone is less serious than harming someone, the penalties imposed should be higher for causing harm. In contrast Mill does not support legal penalties unless they are based on the harm principle. Because the degree to which people may take offense varies, or may be the result of unjustified prejudice, Feinberg suggests that a number of factors need to be taken into account when applying the offense principle, including: the extent, duration and social value of the speech, the ease with which it can be avoided, the motives of the speaker, the number of people offended, the intensity of the offense, and the general interest of the community at large.

Mr Mc Mannus, you write very well but I think you miss the lesson about freedom of speech.

Anonymous said...

To 'anonymous'above-there's about as much chance of Sandy ceasing his expose of the TEFL industry's more disreputable reaches and having a laugh at the same time as there is of that famous fugly mong Susan Boyler losing her virginity without a bleeding vibrator.

Anonymous said...

yeah this mcmanus bloke is a fantasist. Someone should explain there is something called economics and supply and demand which explains bankers earning £20 million pa and adidas workers earning £50 pa. As soon as he learns that all will be well with the world.

Anonymous said...

Don't believe anything you ever read on this site. I cleverly fed him a LOAD of bullshit about Manchester School of English. He believed it and posted it all up.
You can bet he won't apologise or take it down though!!

HAW HAW HAW. He is so gullible, that's why he is such an innocent fnatasist who gets so easily upset when he isn't "valued" at more than £20 per hour.
What a saddo whose whole concept of self revolves around £ p h

Jonny Wilkinson.

Please Sandy if I give you my address will you come round so I can shoot you. Can't get simpler than that can it. This is a death threat to you and your family.
Poor baby you.

Anonymous said...

Come on - this is not a profession.
These backpackers know they aren't worth more than £8 an hour. No one but a complete twaat TWAAT and knob would think this is a "profession"
HAW HAW

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Thanks to all those above who are making contributions to the debate - or just issuing death threats to me and my family. It's all very comforting, knowing that I have such fine professional colleagues out there. If Anon (two above) cares to give me his address, I'd be very happy to pay him a visit!

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about the death threat,Sandy,old bean;the poster concerned will be easily recognisable when you see him staggering along and drooling,waving a toy gun and trying to bite his shoulder. Who knows,he might find a nice expanse of 'bus window to lick and forget all about it.Or crap himself in public and have to go and have his carer change his nappy...

William Frederickson

LunchSlave said...

Yes Master Frederickson, your true wisdom shines through.

I now go hide behind the far distant star out of fear of your powerful wrath.

Not a backpacker said...

British Council accredation criteria doesn't extend to Teachers' conditions or pay, so personally I see no particular advantage of teaching at a BC okayed place. I take it inspectorate report info isn't easily accessable. Or is it?

Sandy you're doing a great service to potential or current EFL teachers as far as I can see. And inadvertantly you bring out of the woodworks, self proclaimed teachers posing as anon who can't sting a sentence together.

Just one point i'm lost on - in the hope that fewer and fewer people will get conned into thinking teaching EFL in the UK is a valid career choice
.. what makes it an invalid one?

Not a backpacker said...

Competition time... guess which of these anonymous postings came from Paul Lowe... win more than £8 in less than one hour.

Anonymous said...

The posting dated june 10,2009,beginning 'Come on-this is not a profession' and is abusive to anyone who disagrees? Or it's that fucking loony 'The Shitmaster.'Both postings seem to be the work of deranged and not just drunken and disgruntled people.

William Frederickson

Anonymous said...

If you ask me this whole blog is the work of deranged and disgruntled people. Are we really a country full of such tossers who moan about how much per hour we get paid? Unfortunately yes. I always believed that if you don't like your job or don't want a job then don't fucking do it. Sandy, do something useful and either set up a college which pays better money or spend more time with your family (if you have one.... I doubt it).

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Hey, you leave my family out of this, anon! If you don't like reading all these 'deranged and disgruntled' tossers who are trying to raise moaning and whinging to a new art form, go and do something else, like watching people setting fire to mice on YouTube.

But I like that idea of setting up my own college - watch this space, kidder!

Anonymous said...

'Moaning and whinging?'Ballocks!If people are maltreated by employers,then they have a right to complain about what has happened.At least,then,unscrupulous employers will be be known to those looking for employment in Tefl.
The economic downturn is not a valid reason for treating employees like shit for no valid reason either-same as it isn't an excuse to rob,cheat or steal from others.

The TEFL Tradesman said...

25 smackers an hour, eh? Well, I reckon we could do a deal. I'll be marketing the place to freshly unemployed bankers and financial Houdinis from Europe, so you'll need to brush your hair, clean your teeth, and wear a sharpish suit every day.

And of course, it'll be very hi-tech - interactive white boards, every student with a laptop, and will feature air-conditioned and glass-partitioned classrooms, with a water feature in the chill-out room (a.k.a. the toilet).

Interested? Forward your CV to teflsandy@yahoo.ie, and mark it 'For the attention of the tight mother-fucking cunt'. Could be the best move you ever made, pal!

Anonymous said...

HAW HAW
Come and visit me you spineless shit


Bromhey Farm, Eastborough, Kent

The TEFL Tradesman said...

And just whom should I ask for - Lord Haw-Haw? No doubt I'll find you somewhere near the pig-sty, eh?

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Ah yes, now I see - it's the RSPB connection, is it, in the form of ... JWS? A pox on you, my nemesis!

Actually, if you're due to fly out here to the Gulf soon, you might miss me. Pastures new, and all that.

I'll keep you updated, though, as I wouldn't want you to miss the chance to rip off my balls and stuff them down my throat. But that's all you'll get, matey - a chance!

Shaun Ryder said...

oo? oo's JWS, lad?

The TEFL Tradesman said...

JWS is one of the new kids on this particular chopping block, Shaunie. But, at the same time, an evil foe of many years back!

Nice to have you back, btw. Don't stray too far away, Shaun, as I may well be needing you!

Anonymous said...

Unlike myself-i'll gladly scrap with any cunt off the internet...especially if there's a crate of lager,some gold,my honour or a bit of the old Lucy Liu or Amy Winehouse look-alike shagnasty to be had,heh-heh.

William Frederickson

Anonymous said...

Skilled in knives,pistols,axes,quarterstaffs boots and bare knuckles...any takers? I also have a shitload of Somali and North African muslim mates who ain't twatted anyone yet.Sandy-lets have a go at that school funded by Berlusconi and that wanker Nick 'Eggy' Griffin.

William Frederickson

Anonymous said...

Do tell us a little tale about this JWS, now that you've got us all curious...

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Nice try, JWS (for it is surely he!), but I ain't gonna fall for it. I have your IP number logged, and will be dispatching several TEFL boot-boys to sort you out!

Shaunie, D Kim - are you both ready? Get out of that bed and stop snogging each other immediately!

Shaun Ryder said...

Aye, give us 'is address an' a list of offences 'e 'as committed-whass the fookin' story 'ere, lad?

Anonymous said...

Yep it's me on the farm. JWS in person. Now you gave the game away and I know your name and place of work. That's it game over I reckon. See you soon. HAW HAW

The TEFL Tradesman said...

Yeh, like - looking forward to the re-encuentro, JWS!

Don't forget to bring the 350 quid you still owe me, too!

Anonymous said...

The most noticeable thing about this website is that the actual level of English being used is appalling. No wonder there is a constant demand for English teachers when those that are 'qualified' make such a mess of just writing basic sentences.....

Anonymous said...

I agree definitely with the writter. i am an spanish girl who studied in that College and it is awful. i cannot believe it is an official academy of Cambridge. they do noy anything about teaching and they treat student like shit. and i really think they should learn how to treat students as they are their customers.
the worst academy i have ever been.