OK, it's about time for my fortnightly update from one of the less salubrious corners of the Tefl kingdom. I know, I really should try and be more active on this blog, but what with my advancing state of Alzheimers, I can't remember the last time I posted. Shit, I can't even recall the last time I ... erm, what was I saying?This time it's a verbatim report from one of my Tefl spooks on the south coast of England, where crap Tefl outfits and even crappier Tefl jobs number in their hundreds. Read this one and tell me - go on! - that this sort of Tefl shenanigans ain't as common as dogshit in a public park.
OK, I can't hold back any longer. Eastbourne again - LTC College.
As well as having a psychopath (and I am using the medical term here) as a Principal, their Director of Studies needs to be taken to task. He frequently tries it on with the Asian students, presumably seeing them as soft targets. He takes them to a pub near his 'shag pad', gets them lathered up and takes it from there. One long standing member of staff who politely suggested that this was not cool behaviour was told he was stupid, called a liar, and then 'constructively dismissed.'
The same Director - let's call him Alisdair Goldsworthy, because his mother did - also keeps details of conversations he has in the pub with his colleagues and 'friends.' If he feels like disciplining them, he hauls out his secret files and accuses them of making unprofessional comments about the school. He has used these as an excuse to rid himself of staff on several occasions.
Even worse, he tells teachers to make academic reports 'more negative' if he personally doesn`t like a particular student.
Oh, and there was the time when the school promised an employee who was on sick leave that they would keep his contract open. They then fired him at precisely the same time as he fell into a coma and then died. His wife and disabled child received the news of his dismissal by post.
Luckily the school is struggling to maintain student numbers and looks like it will soon go belly up anyway. However, I only think it is right that their appalling, inhuman behaviour be documented for all to see.
Thank you.
And you find a nice piccy of these LTC professionals here. Pretty they ain't!!
Okay, LTC Eastbourne - over to you now...
62 comments:
Huw Curry - catering manager.
Priceless.
No - about 6.95 I hear!
Ooh, those two guys - such HANDSOME beasts!!
How strange - I've worked at LTC Eastbourne. Alisdair is a great guy - really helpful.
And now you know why!
Here's another LTC story which was printed in the local paper.
LTC Eastbourne sacked someone just because they got cancer. They didn't even bother to contact them to check up. They sent out the letter of dismissal after he had died to the distress of his wife. Appalling.
http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/sick_worker_gets_the_sack_1_1404661
Another story? Er....it's the same story you idgit!
Asu77 - getting worried, are you? There are more details on this case emerging, so watch this space for an update soon.
Eastbourne seems to breed schools like this. Look here for an example of another must-avoid outfit that was outed on this very blog...
http://tefltradesman.blogspot.com/2010/09/eastbourne-school-of-english.html
Oh come on, Asu77 - we all know the allegations are true, and your identity is no secret either.
As for describing the author as being evidently mentally ill, it's quite hilarious. Didn`t Stalin declare people insane if they didn`t agree with communist ideology and being moved into collectives? Same principal - sorry, principle - I guess!!
And are you a certified mental health professional? I somehow doubt it, although being a bit of an acknowledged psycho yourself, you are better placed then many to know, I guess.
Get back in yer box, Paul!
The guy on the left may be a psycho, but how can the guy on the right possibly be a shagger? No one could get that lathered up.
It's interesting that you have taken the word of the 'spy' as gospel. Then, if anyone presents an alternative to his accusations, they must have something to hide. I don't see the spy being questioned in quite the same way. A little biased, wouldn't you think. What's sharpening his axe?
It's hard for me to comment on the member of staff who died as it was before I began work at LTC. However, if it was exactly as the press/spy reported why was LTC never taken to court. I can only imagine that some events have not been reported to make for a better, more sensationalist story.
But, I will leap to the defence of Alisdair and Paul. I have found them both to be fair, honest, decent people who don't need to presented in such a slanderous, negative light.
It'll be interesting to read what nonsense your spy comes up with next. Bin Laden is alive and studying at LTC? Can't wait!
Asu77, you might like to ask Alisdair about 'the Korean affair', which involved him seducing a young Asian girl and her getting beaten up later by her boyfriend.
Of course, he jumped in to protect her - NOT. There is a crime number for this, by the way, although Alisdair himself and his craven and immoral acts attracted no attention from Plod.
The above is just one example of many. Shall I go on?
Can I just comment that:
a) Just because something isn`t illegal, that doesn`t make it ok.
b) Attributing an absurdist comment (Bin Laden) to the author is very bad discursive practice. He/she has made claims that are well within the realms of possibility whereas Bin Laden being alive and well in Eastbourne would be physically impossible becuase he is almost certainly dead. I know you were being sarcastic but that isn`t an argument. Thank you.
Exactly. LTC's efforts to ridicule the author and wriggle out of unpleasantness by citing the "it's not illegal" defence do them no credit at all.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
asu77 just because they weren't taken to court doesn't mean that the events weren't true. rather a weak argument.
if someone can get fired when they're dying of cancer what else are they capable of? you may find out to your cost at a later date that you're putting your faith in the wrong people. you're expendable yet you completely fail to realise it.
Sounds like Alisdair is a graduate of the Paul Lowe Academy of TEFL Seduction. The school is relaxed and classes are lively!!
Asu77
You are evidently friends with these people and want to defend them. Fair pay to that. However, you don`t have the facts quite straight on this one. You have been hoodwinked, but that is hardly your doing. Please be careful who you trust.
My final comments regarding this matter is that I would consider them friends and as such will try to protect them. If I'm wrong, well shit happens. But, thank you for the advice. And I do actually mean that with all sincerity. I would have preferred if the advice had been given a slightly better tone.
Finally, I would like to say that my comments are mine, and mine alone. They are not LTC's and I wouldn't be so bold as to speak for any of my ex-colleagues. What they think is their business. I never had a problem at LTC, except for the bloody photocopier.
the guy who wrote to sandy and is the main writer on this forum left over 5 years ago apparently!
seriously, you should have moved on by now.
And you've got it wrong, Alisdair ... apparently!
it's quite obvious that you are the same person who left ltc almost exactly 5 years ago.
you're the only person who's fixated with alisdair to the point of obsession. unrequited feelings maybe?
you've left under a cloud from every school in eastbourne. the last one being the eastbourne school of english.
have you ever asked yourself why?
The person who wrote claiming they know the identity author is waaaaaay off. They need to look a bit closer to home unfortunately. And as with all the other attempts to discredit him (or is it her?)it contains no intelligent arguments or actually factually based refutation of the claims. Bit desperate really.
this post follows the one a few short months after the eastbourne school of english which uses a similar grammatical structure and vocabulary. take for example the way the ltc post ends:
'appalling, inhuman behaviour'
and compare to the way the eastbourne school of english on ends:
'These shameless and despicable people'
it's the same over dramatic tendency for two adjectives at the end. both pieces are littered with grammatical similarities.
also in the ltc post:
"Even worse, he tells teachers... "
and in the eastbourne school of english post:
"Even worse, one male student..."
the same use of "even worse".
it doesn't take a genius to work out that it's the same person who's worked at both schools and had problems with both. especially as the complaints have followed on so quickly from each other.
unfortunately the poster has forgotton the efl community in eastbourne is rather small so gossip does get back on the grapevine.
Wow. Both writers used English and some adjectives! What a desperate and completely confused attempt at linguistic forensics. Carry on if you want, but you are not helping your cause. And you still are not addressing the issues raised in the original email. So far the arguments have been:
The writer is mad.
The writer is gay.(suggesting a homophobic undercurrent-nice one)
The schools in Eastbourne don`t like the writer.
The writer uses emotive adjectives to make their point. Another writer did this once.
And yes, the TEFL community in Eastbourne is very small. It`s much smaller than it has been in a very long while. I think you are obviously someone who believes passionately in what they are saying. No problem with that, but it simply doesn`t match up with the facts.
Hmm, the attempt at forensic linguistics seems a bit lame, claiming a result based on one discourse marker and a couple of negative adjectives.
And considering that each piece was edited by yours truly, there's room for further mistaken claims of authorship too.
But do go on, LTC - you're doing wonders for your cause and your school!
Your ‘blog’ is actually very detrimental to other schools of the same name i.e. ours, based in London and belittles the hard effort we, both myself and admin and teaching staff equally, put in day in and day out for the sake of our students. We are passionate about our jobs and make every effort to make our students’ stay a beneficial and memorable experience. Please consider this before unfairly dragging our name through the dirt.
Anya Woolliams, LTC, London
they don't care that what they could do could harm the employment of other people working at the schools in question.
sandy should at least check with other sources before he publishes what he believes to be true. then great, go straight ahead and publish.
he's worked in efl long enough to know a lot of teachers really aren't the most reliable sources of information and have other motives. all he has to do is get a couple of separate sources to give him a call to corroborate events and check facts - also about the motivations of the people in question. It seems there's more to this than just the actions of those that run the school.
i find it a little disturbing that the poster seems to have such a sense of glee about the school going 'belly up' when there are other people who work there and have families they need to support.
sandy's got to realise that it's out there for everyone to see and his actions have consequences and repercussions, which could be dire for those employed in the current economic climate.
There's hardly much of a story here. TEFL teacher (allegedly) shagging a student. Shock horror! In all my years of teaching, I have never heard of such behaviour.
I have indeed worked in EFL for a long time, and I know the sort of tricks that scrotey little language schools such as LTC get up to. That's why I posted the story.
As for the consequences of this posting, claiming massive unemployment and families starving on the street is a little extreme, I feel. Life will go on.
I mean, even Paul Lowe's essentially corrupt Windsor TEFL/English outfit is still going, and he's a COMPLETE cunt who's even got an entire blog devoted to his antics.
It almost shames to admit that I've not been able to put him out of business ... yet.
I think that you're adding the extreme consequences - massive unemployment, families starving on the street.
However, I do agree that life will go on. It's a shame that another poster here can't see that. If only his life would go on.
As an avid reader of your blog, I know that you rarely apologise, nor back down from the claims that you make. But, please, please do not tar LTC with the same brush as Windsor TEFL. Completely different kettle of fish.
I doubt you'd find many teachers of Windsor TEFL/English posting here defending the actions of Paul Lowe like you would for LTC.
Anon (above), I don't think we've had any teachers from LTC here either - just a couple of DOSsers, I reckon.
And there was no attempt to tar LTC with the slimy Paul Lowe brush - learn to read! It was an attempt to point out that the influence of this blog is not as great as all that ... if any at all, really.
Which is kinda sad, I know, but it does keep Sandy off the streets at night!
No, I am a teacher. Sorry, to disappoint. No-one else is giving their name so why should I.
Regarding the Paul Lowe comment I made - what I was trying to say is that I hope that this discussion doesn't go that far.
Another poster jokingly made a comparison between Alisdair and Paul Lowe. It's bad enough having the school mentioned on the same blog.
When I was a Windsor TEFL trainer back in the early 2000 era, I remember there was a trainee teacher named Alisdair something.
I remember because it's such an annoying and pretentious way to spell the name. I also remember he was a useless trainee with an unhealthy interest in the students.
I am glad to make it clear the the person I remember has no connection whatsoever with the person under discussion here.
Just to dispel this absurd idea completely, can the 'real' Alisdair confirm that he has never met Paul Lowe or Ashley Arnold, and has never attended a Windsor course?
Just a one-line confirmation would be sufficient.
PS Clarence Rhode is actually my name. Ask Paul about me.
Can we cut all this crap over a wagonful of sour grapes. I've been an English teacher for over 20 years and I'll tell you what I still enjoy it. Say what you will! Out of all the schools that I've worked for (5 in total), Ltc has been one of the best. It's not perfect but in no way is it a mickey mouse joint and it is most definitely going 'belly up'
Add 'not' to last comment. The staff are friendly and helpful and don't have a rod up your arse attitude like in some other schools I know. As for Alisdair's love life, I don't give a toss. He's paid for doing his job and does it well. In addition, there are more than enough students to keep the place going; plus frequent course extentions. I think that fact speaks for itself. This is the first time I have written a blog and perhaps my last.
I've got a life away from the computer monitor and I suggest the person who posted it should do the same. Get a life that is!
So did he or did he not attend a Windsor TEFL course?
I have a life away from TEFL. I think P.L. did my ex-KLA ass a favour. I am back with my wife,Working as a high-end debt collector and have a chance of a security consultancy where I (ahem!) suggest means of dealing with squatters in London properties. worth a good £70k per annum, God willing.And I don't have to fire a shot or raise a fist to do so.
Also my ex-mistress Annabelle in Fulham was a dirty one. Her fantasy was to get nekkid and suck a man's cock while she was on the loo having a shit. I had to oblige!Best blow-job I ever had.
Let's stop fighting each other and hunt the true TEFL villains.
It always amuses me when an EFL teacher rolls out the yawning cliche of 'get a life'. I too have a life away from this computer, and the suggestion that I don't also reveals a poverty of thought and perception.
MAybe all those other LTC teachers who have not bothered to check in and brown-nose their employer have one too?
Nice vindaloo tomorrow, get it while you can!
Isuspect that this scumbag is most probably twisting his ermployees' arms to make them do this. at least he shows a little bit more awareness of the need for P.R.than our old friend Paul 'Defuckation'Lowe...
Have you SEEN the Widsor website recently??
Now THAT is class.
Looks like the people who send their children are unhappy with Paul Clarke. Parents weren't informed that a large number of children were ill at the school before theirs arrived and when they had to go home he wouldn't give refunds! These schools are just moneygrabbers.
http://www.efl.ru/forum/threads/30092/2/#m352030
That article in full...
We would like to share our impressions about the GEOS-LTC International College, Compton Park, Compton Place Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 1EH, England for the people who are planning to send their children to study in England.
This summer we witnessed the downside of the British summer schools, the business approach to education of kids where their health has become less important than the money they pay to GEOS-LTC International College, Compton Park, Compton Place Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 1EH, England. In GEOS school when the first cases of swine flu occurred the school kept on accepting kids. The administration of school continued communication with us, parents, till the departure time as if nothing happened in school. They were discussing the details of payment for transfer, penalties for damages to school property, etc. but the fact that the school had proven cases of swine flu were never mentioned.
When our kid arrived in school it was already under quarantine with one confirmed case of swine flu and seven other kids had been isolated with suspicion for swine flu.
None of the letters from the school administration we received a day before departure contained any information about the cases of swine flu in the school and the kids, which were in the school already, were instructed to just wash hands although it is a respiratory disease.
There were many international kids in this school and not only from Europe but from quite faraway countries. Most of the kids had to immediately return home to avoid infection. None of them received any compensation. The reaction of Paul Clark the headmaster of the school to the complains of the parents speaks for itself - "This means that we do not give refunds to students who go home early because of swine flu except in exceptional circumstances", he wrote. I wonder what are they (exceptional circumstances)? In everything what the administration was doing we felt the money approach and eagerness to get the money without any care for kids’ health and life. They were touting people to school on the background of spreading infection on the territory of their school.
Mr. Tim Winkler, Germany, 60325 Frankfurt/Main
Herr Winkler should head to Windsor English next year.
He will find a strict hygiene regime and strong emphasis on physical excercise. A six mile run before breakfast is not uncommon.
Especially if the bailliffs arrive early.
I don't have any specific evidence to refute the above accusations (not that I'd exactly be appalled by the sex-related one), but I can say that I've been working here for the last two weeks and it pretty much gives the impression of being one of the most stimulating summer camp experiences out there. From a teacher's standpoint, the creative scope afforded is brilliant. The two guys mentioned in the article seem erudite and helpful, and the place is seriously fucking fun. That's just the point of view of someone who's been here two weeks, but there it is anyway.
don't you think a director of studies sleeping with students undermines the position of other members of staff? do you think it's professional for a director of studies to sleep with students?
Damn right it ain't. Shagging the students is STRICTLY reseved for the teachers!
Nice to see River_6 maintaining the tradition of DOS sock-puppets. I don't know whether River's the Psycho or the Shagger, but they just couldn't resist boasting about being erudite, like the others.
And they've really nailed the style too- teachers' rooms abound with people discussing the creative scope afforded by seriously fucking fun places, all under the happy leadership of two guys who enlighten break times with a bon mot about High Church.Slavonic over tea and a chocolate Bath Oliver. And all the students are there to learn. And by golly, it's a pleasure and an honour to have a lesson observed by these guys. We have to fight over the slots because their erudition doesn't grow on trees.
And what has happened to Mr Huw Curry - Catering Manager?? Or was he just an erudite joke??
Fear NOT, you erudite (and rather Handsome ) pair of TEFL gurus!!!
I too have been on the receiving end of this inveterate invertebrate 'MACMANUS" and I know the ropes by golly. METHINKS I see something of myself in you also, am I RIGHT?? The tefl swagger, the grin that WOMEN find irresistible, the AURA that says I am of tefl but at the same time NOT of this earth??? MY ADVICE lads is to say SO WOT< CHAVSTER?? So WOT if a semi literate goon sets up a cesspit of a BLOGSITE?? YOU know wots wot, you are LEADERS of this industry just as I AM I AM I AM I AM. LET them have their innuendo!!!! YOU and I have our raffish charm, our indefinible public school je ne sais quoi that they HATE because it DEFEATS them every time!! Roll on half term and I shall motor down in the saab to see you in Bournmouth (or is it BRIGHTON??) We'll go out on the town, and let them CALL US 'ladies men'!!! LET them cower while we cavort!! I shall book a room at the winter gardens, with a minibar DAMMIT cash only. See you in October, VIRILE ONES!
River_6, when you say you don't have any specific evidence, I take it you mean you don't have any evidence. Considering you're Psycho or Shagger pretending to be a teacher, that's a great defence.
And if Paul 'Hotlips' Lowe is offering to come down to Eastbourne to get on his knees and show you his appreciation of your virility and handsomeness, the end is almost certainly nigh.
river_6
you should read this article from the times. you might change your mind on what is acceptable behaviour for a dos in a school. a dos is in a position of trust and shagger obviously abused this position.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=401935
When Asu77 says, to show how conciliatory s/he is, that " I never had a problem at LTC, except for the bloody photocopier", it makes it clear that the school isn't spending much on one of the main resources for teaching. I haven't taught in a place with a bloody photocopier for many years- modern machines work.
I read the Times article and I think the comparison between a DoS and a lecturer is a little thin. The main argument against allowing relationships between students and lecturers is the abuse of power -'an A for a lay'. What power does a DOS have over the students? To move them up a level? Would you sleep with your DoS to get into Intermediate? That would really be cheap!
Intermedio is no, no, no, but avancado is a maybe!!
ha I a little happy today is capella and our local festivale is muy historic and caracteristic in our city
I come in England soon, and I am very ADVANCED! I hear uk is fill with DOSS i love it is good
Big kiss in doss for job please
Look forward to meeting you, 'Maria'. Will you be passing through Windsor, by any chance?
Maria is more than welcome in my 'Advanced' class. I think she'll fit right in.
konichiwa! i from japan. i pre-intermediate but i want intermediate. i come and see dos and be intermediate! i give big kiss to dos! i can't wait for dos. i sit on face!!!
Psycho's job's being advertised:
http://www.tefl.com/jobs/job.html?jo_id=49951
Ooh, good - I think I'll apply for it!
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