Hamburg, the city of English teachers

Hamburg, the multicultural city of Northern Germany: Full of opportunity for those that wish to succeed and learn. But like many others, harboring a growing trend similar to that following the UK TV program theme "auf wiedersehen Pet" or for those that have not seen the program, a place of thriving work for English teachers being destroyed by black workers claiming to be teachers just because they can speak the English language. Additionally by many others possessing only the English language and thinking that teaching only requires the ability to speak English.

This trend is quite understandably being supported by the general public searching for low cost English language lessons (who can blame them? We would all do the same) also by schools searching for cheap workers (who can blame them? We might all do the same if the current trend continues) and schools cashing in on the growing customer base for teacher training certificates (who can blame them? We would all do the same after all, profit is profit... or would we?)

I am simply responding to the many moans and groans of professional teachers in respect to teacher rates, to the additional work and disappointment of the schools that like me have to filter-out those "out for a quick buck" from those professional teachers looking to simply do what they are trained to do, or those talented individuals that have a serious desire to teach.

So here you are, fresh in Hamburg, a native English speaker, maybe here for study, maybe here for other reasons. You speak little or no German and you need a job. "What shall I do?" Hey, let's teach English! I can do that because I can speak English .... Yeah! tell me about it!

Now I am one that believes that to teach, you should have a flair for good communication and explanation. You should be able to plan lessons, be resourceful and be able to control a lesson with goals and targets. Above all, you should understand your language and be able to answer questions relating to your language.

Maybe I should get a teaching certificate. I can get one from a Hamburg school for only 1500 Euro for a few weeks training. Surely that would then place me in a better position to be a teacher, maybe even allow me to say I am qualified! Um. Excuse me, did you say "qualified?"

Oh dear oh dear! I cannot tell people how many "so called" teachers I have interviewed, smiling and proudly displaying their teacher training certificate. Naturally I look, but in my mind my experience tells me that the certificate nowadays does not prove someone can teach. The certificate is now a farce and something a school, company or individual must not solely rely upon.

So often I see people wishing to teach English "I fink I wana teach English coz I don't speak German an I can't get anover job" OR "hello I would like to teach English. - Ok may I ask you a question? - Yes certainly. - Good. Please imagine that I am a German speaker that does not understand when I should use 'have done' and 'did' - Well..... have done means that you have done it and it continues into the future. Did means that you did it and it is finished. - NEXT PATIENT PLEASE!! "

Teacher Training Certificate Case study (rounded figures): We have interviewed over 80 teachers in the last 6 months. From these teachers 50% displayed their teacher training certificate. Out of those with the certificate, 30% gained their certificate in Hamburg. For those not mathematically minded, that is 12 teachers with a certificate gained in Hamburg. Out of these 12 people, only two had any idea about teaching, however I must admit, they did have a basic understanding of how to plan a lesson... well sort of!

In our interview we ask several questions to test the teacher's ability here is one "What is the difference between will and going to? How would you explain this difference to a German speaker and how would you explain it to a non-German speaker?" I must admit, the answers and explanations I have heard made me smile on more than one occasion such as "Good question, now let me think about that ... um .. um ... um ... well will is definite and going to is a plan. - Oh I see, but what about "'I am planning that I will do it next week' and 'I am definitely going to do it tomorrow' - Yes I see what you mean! ... um .. um ... um ... I have it! Will means you will do it, and going to means you will not! ... NEXT PATIENT PLEASE !!"

So, not to let this drag on and on: Here is some advice for those wishing to teach English in Hamburg:

1. Know your language and how to explain it.
2. Be able to work independently and maintain control of a lesson and its participants.
3. Know your language and how to explain it.
4. Be respectful and have a good attitude, also be patient and understanding.
5. Know your language and how to explain it.
6. Set goals and targets for your classes and get to know the needs of the students.
7. Know your language and how to explain it.
8. Want to teach and enjoy teaching, then do it correctly with respect for the industry.
9. Know your language and how to explain it.
10. Register with the German authorities and do not be tempted by the black market.
11. Know your language and how to explain it.
12. If you wish to earn cash on the side and have little care or interest in teaching English or even what you do, then go and do something else. TOOM is always looking for shelf stackers!
13. Finally. Know your language and how to explain it.

Here is some advice for schools:

1. Select your teachers carefully. I know it can be difficult, but supporting those without teaching skills (note I say teaching skills and not qualifications and certificates) and seeking only to gain low paid workers will eventually lead to industry damage.
2. Just to clarify the qualifications and certificate theme above: Remember that teaching is also a natural talent and if this is combined with a good understanding of English and an ability to effectively communicate, together with true enthusiasm for teaching, be it long or short term, then consider this person, allow them the chance and support their goals. Do not ignore natural talent. Qualifications, experience and certificates are good indicators and definitely should not be ignored, but neither should other sincere applicants.
2. Remember your service to the customer and ensure you give them the best. Do not use as a smoke screen, the fact that that the customer does not know the language and maybe will not be able to perceive whether their teacher is good or not.
3. Support our true teachers and naturally talented teachers by paying reasonable hourly rates.
4. Support your teachers, train them further. Supporting natural talent will offer many benefits and increase the number of able teachers in the area.
5. Fight to maintain the professionalism of the industry.

Here is some advice for people wishing to learn English:

1. Do not accept let's say low grade teachers because you think there is nothing better and try to perceive whether you are in fact learning or not. Do not always blame your misunderstanding or lack of progress on yourself! It might not be you!
2. If you are a company, support your local area schools and do not go looking for "just anyone off the street that say they can teach" Also, use only registered self employed teachers and do not support the black market.
3. Preferably support your local schools, but this may be too much to ask for!
4, Set performance targets and ensure your English supplier meets them.
5. Feel free to change and sample the supplier base available to you, but at the same time, reward your English supplier with loyalty if they are meeting your performance requirements.
6. Remember why your employees are learning English.

Finally, at Hamburg-English (http://www.hamburg-english.de) we are always looking to establish contact with serious teachers. Drop in for a coffee, let’s get to know each other.

Currently we have an immediate need for a teacher (talented native English speaker) with experience in fashion design and/or the fashion industry. Simply email us at [email="admin@onlineenglish.de">admin@onlineenglish.de[/email]

Hamburg-English
www.hamburg-english.eu
www.onlineenglish.eu Online TOEIC Test preparation.
www.onlinebusinessenglish.eu Online Business English Improvement Course.
www.englishplacement.com Common European Framework Class Placement Platform.

The writer in brief: Has taught English for international business communication, contract and negotiation for over 23 years and has been deeply involved in other training programs including government modern apprenticeship schemes and the back to work scheme designed to bring unemployed and unskilled persons into the business environment. Has also been involved deeply in the industry of skill testing both for language and engineering skills. Has a dual profession and is additionally an electrical/electronic systems design and analysis engineer. Formerly owner/founder/CEO of two UK based companies; one in national service and maintenance the other a London based manufacturer supplying the national and international marketplace. Is also a European consultant for contractual relationships and mediation, contractual law and international communications. Is manager of Hamburg-English and the creator of OnlineEnglish.eu, Onlinebusinessenglish.eu and Englishplacement.com. Is also an authorized TOEFL/TOEIC administrator.

Only constructive comments may be responded to. Obscene, insulting or comments about the native English exp​ression used in this post will not be responded to so don’t waste your time!!

Currently we have an immediate need for a teacher (talented native English speaker) with experience in fashion design and/or the fashion industry.

I speak English and wear clothes. Do I qualify?

I think someone should get a job for wading through all this horn-tootling. So what if all the other teachers are rubbish? That gives your amazing talents a chance to shine in comparison.

I presume you mean Schwarzarbeiter here, rather than workers who are black. It's not a "native English exp​ression".

As a young and genuinely serious and enthusiastic teacher, I can´t tell you how annoying it is to wade through such a rant, albeit from a very experienced and undoubtedly disillusioned professional, which displays such vociferous prejudice towards recently qualified teachers. I´ve experienced the same sort of high-brow discrimination since moving to Munich and trying to find a job here.

By my own admission I´m not the most experienced teacher and I don´t have an absolute comprehensive knowledge of the English Language - I don´t think anyone can have - but all I ask is that employers give me a fair crack of the whip and do their upmost to keep an open-mind when they meet me. Otherwise, what chance have do we have?

Heh.
This is lifted from a heading on their website:

Information, where you need it, when your need it at the touch of a button

The website has all sorts of mistakes on it.

I just grabbed the first one I saw cuz it was in bold type.

The customer gets what he pays for! What flew up your nose? If your so much better I don't see a problem. Why don't you just hard copy that huge post and use it as an opener on your website. That will definitely pull in the prey.

Now now, MLD. You've got a punctuation mistake in your post. tsk-tsk...
Damn, or is it a missing apostrophe?

Next thing you know he'll start correcting us here on TT.

"Please stand behind the yellow line, the train will be hitting you from the right". Thank you.

Isn't cuz spellt with a K?

I wonder if he'll bother fixing that heading. I suppose not, because that would mean he'd paid heed to "...comments about the native English expression used in this post..." and therefore wasted his time.

From the website of Hamburg English

should it not be its own?

I am a black English speaker.

I'm not an English teacher but it's this sort of rubbish that is typical of some of the idiots on this forum. There's so much wrong with this post (and I don't just mean gramatically; a spelling mistake or an error of another kind shouldn't actually be a major issue on this forum anyway because we all make them from time to time). Go and rant somewhere else. Nobody will sympathise with you here.

It is funny though!!