Academy: English Group

Webpage: http://www.english-group.com

Date: Nov. 10, 2006.

When did academy open? 2002.

Contact person and title: Myra Smith, Director (DELTA).

Contact phone: 34 91 510 10 30.

E-mail: myrasmith@english-group.com, info@english-group.com

Address:
General Aranaz, 49 – local 2
28027 Madrid.
Google Maps
English Group is a 5 minute walk from Ciudad Lineal Metro station just up the street from an excellent educational materials shop called Dideco (not specifically ESL).

Facilities and classrooms: 4 classrooms on site.

Have good materials support, photocopier? Yes. Myra Smith is very interested in the teachers getting the best materials and says English Group's materials are super. Teachers are expected to follow them, but not strictly. "Good teachers will supplement extensively." Also, the academy subscribes to Powerpack's materials for English teachers and teachers have access to the internet and a computer.

Have "Director of Studies" (DOS) support?
Myra Smith is the DOS. She was an oral examiner for the British Council for a long time. (Cambridge exams and IELTS)

VIPs on staff? none.

Qualification requirements for employment? Any TEFL Certificate and a college level education.

Experience requirements for employment? None. The most important factors are the intelligence, appearance and personality of the teachers.

Younger teachers make for experience with their having more motivation and enthusiasm, and by being more energetic. More experienced teachers are often not as motivated.

Hire at a distance?
Yes. Have done so via video conferences.

Preference for British or Americans? None.

Estimated teachers hired yearly: There are 25 teachers working at English Group and many are freelancers. Around twenty new teachers are employed annually.

Teachers at English Group for over 4 years?
The school has only been operating for 4 years.

Number of students: 195 in school. 300 outside.

Best part about working at English Group:
The academy has a very good relationship with teachers and they are happy and feel respected. Myra Smith pays them on time and takes them out to lunch (not all at once) etc. but she does expect them to do their job. She also tries to help solve their problems and get better deals with their companies regarding block hours and getting them to pay anyway, for example, if they're absent frequently. They're "nice people" in a nice friendly neighbourhood school.

Offer teacher training or development along with job?
Teachers are trained on how to prepare students for examinations. English Group's exam students have a 100% pass rate. The Director of Studies has extensive experience with official exams.

Starters' average salary?
Competitive.