Reviews

This year's Teacher Intern Training Programme saw participants from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, France and New Zealand. Here's what some of them had to say about the programme.

Veronica will be missed. Admittedly we say this about most of our academic staff and teachers; nevertheless that doesn't make it any less true. In Veronica's case, we will miss the person who we saw grow from being an intern-teacher, to EFL teacher to Director of Studies. Veronica did more than simply pass through Language Link, she became a part of it. Three years is a long time, and though we lose Veronica to a long sought after Master's program, she will be difficult to get over. What can I say, she will be MISSED.
Sally Kopp
United Kingdom
The ITP was amazing; so useful for those wanting to learn properly how to teach.  I actually feel like I can teach now and it’s been great being able to track my progress.  It was challenging in terms of stamina.  The ITP is certainly not for the faint-hearted.  The staff were so helpful with lesson planning and general queries.  They were really friendly the whole time and not at all condescending.  I just loved it.  Thank you so much for everything!
The ITP was everything I thought it would be.  It was difficult, but I learned a lot and am not scared to step in a classroom.  What surprised me most was that it was actually was enjoyable and that I learned as much as I did.  The staff were great; all helpful and nice.  Thank y’all for everything.
The ITP was far more comprehensive than expected.  The days were longer, but it was worth it.  What surprised me most was how much I learned.  Every week I thought about how much I’d learned and it was night and day.  The staff was incredibly helpful, even in matters unrelated to academics.  I was never afraid to ask for help and I was always glad when I did.  I feel prepared to teach after the ITP.  It was exhausting, I complained, I was overwhelmed, but it was very worth it!
I’m very happy with the practice teaching.  It was exactly what I needed.  I feel so much more confident now.  I really think I will be able to become a good teacher.
Jonathan Ladd
United Kingdom
I think the ITP helped me learn everything I expected to although it far busier and more intensive than I thought but I should probably have thought more about the I in ITP.
The ITP fully met my expectations.  Practice teaching was incorporated effectively.  Lessons were very informative.  The enthusiasm and support of the DOS staff impressed me most about the ITP.  They are an invaluable resource to the development of interns.
The ITP definitely met my expectations.  What I hoped for was formal grammar training and implementation of teaching practice and that’s what I got out of it.  The amount of teaching practice we got surprised me the most.  It was very helpful.  The staff were always helpful with preparing for classes and answering questions.
The ITP went beyond my expectations.  It made me think more about grammar and I now understand it better and feel more comfortable teaching it.  I’m also more aware of eliciting and error correcting.
I’m surprised by how much we learned during the month.  I had thought it was going to be a lot less.  The staff were amazing.  I felt comfortable talking with everyone.
I knew that the online TESOL/TEFL prepared me with an acceptable knowledge base, but I was apprehensive to begin an actual class with real students.  I had offers from other companies at a higher salary, but I wanted and needed hands-on, in-class, in front of students experience.  The ITP kicked serious ***!  I am fully prepared to lesson plan and teach in front of students.  The staff were straight up awesome!  They would drop anything to help a teacher intern – and did.  They were completely knowledgeable in the materials and they are very fine people.
The ITP exceeded my expectations.  This course was so in-depth that it went over and above my scope of what it meant to be a vessel for the education of English.  I was surprised by how fun and informative it was.  I loved every bit of the atmosphere and the few surprises that come our way (puppet practice use!).  All the staff handled themselves in an approachable, professional way.
Oksana can best described as someone who is there when you need her. She has never shied away from a challenge and has given 110% even when less would have been sufficient. With four years as a teacher and senior teacher in our Zelenograd school, Oksana is someone you can always count on for advice and help.
Mark entered Language Link's Internship Training Program after a short career working in business. Following the initial training program, Mark was able to combine his interest in business with teaching by taking up a teaching post with Language Link's Corporate Client Training Department. Mark must have enjoyed the teaching; he stayed a second year with Language Link.
Keith came to Language Link for a language school in India where he received little academic support. Because of this, Keith opted to go through Language Link's Initial Teacher Intern Training Program before starting his teaching with Language Link.
Jenn, a young Canadian, came to Language Link in search of a teaching opportuntunity that didn't require prerequisite teaching qualifications. Not only did Language Link's internship training programme meet her needs, but subsequently, Jenn discovered a number of other job opportunities with which to grow professionally.
Joe Dewhurst
United Kingdom
Joe came to Language Link as an intern teacher. Born and raised in the big city- London, Joe was assigned to our Zelenograd school where he spendt the next two years teaching English, first and an intern teacher and then as an EFL teacher.
Leighton an American IT consultant decided to take a year off from work to try something new and perhaps learn a little Russian. Though it is not certain how much Russian Leighton acquired, his teaching skill spoke for themselves.
Jim joined the Internship training programme in September 2005. Being assigned to Mitischie, a Moscow outskirt's teaching school, didn't stop Jim from demonstrating what he was made of. Having found life in Mitischie much to his liking, Jim stayed on to become both a senior teacher and an Assistant Director of Studies.
Aleisha came to Language Link from the 'Land down under'. Her first Language Link teaching experience, teaching English in a summer camp in the St. Petersburg area, served as excellent on-the-job training in preparation for Language Link's Internship Training Program.
Ben, after a shaky start (as is usual for most inexperienced teachers) put his teaching into high gear. within a very short time, Ben was not only popular with his young learner classes but well respected by his adult students. Ben, never gave himself as much credit as he was due.
Dave only worked with Language Link for three months. Just into his teaching contract, Dave was offered the opportunity to apply for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Far be it from Language Link to stand in the way of a boyhood dream. Eventually, however, Dave decided not to follow thru on his application and returned to Language Link, this time, not as a teacher, but as a student in our School of Russian Language Studies.
The training Language Link provided me with was very helpful. Never having taught before, the idea of teaching grammar was a bit daunting at first. After our classes and practice teaching, however, I'm actually looking forward to having my own students. I should mention, also, that the transition to life in Russia went rather smoothly. Someone was there to meet me at the airport, and if I ever have a problem, there are a number of people I can contact to help me.
The internship program at Language Link is a wonderful opportunity to learn to teach English. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Not only did they arrange to pick me up at the airport (at 4:00 am) but they drove me to an apartment and took care of everything.
Nathalie Cooper
United Kingdom
I really enjoyed the Language Link internship program. The whole thing was a very useful experience and we were taught in a fun and dynamic way. It's a shame I was unable to be here for the first week of the course! There were no bad sides to it at all. Everyone who works here and studies here is a very friendly. The course teaches people not only to teach but also to be more confident - it has helped me a great deal.
Could Language Link be any more accommodating? Flats, visas, facility tours, hours of training plus advice. My first time in Russia has been smooth sailing so far, and, with the phenomenal assistance of faculty and staff alike, I'm sure fulfilling my contract now will not be a struggle.
The teaching internship at Language Link was a good experience. If I'd started teaching without taking the course I'd have been completely lost! All the faculty and staff were very helpful and patient. And being picked up at the airport and given your own flat doesn't hurt either!
Nathan Fisher
St. Petersburg
Language Link offered me opportunities that probably never would have otherwise been possible for me. And Language Link supported me every step of the way. I’m familiar with other schools and with teachers employed at other schools. I am confident in saying that Language Link surpasses the typical standard in many areas!
Alex was an intern teacher for whom teaching didn't come easy. Though she had to work harder than the others, her hard work paid off. She stayed with Language Link more than three years and when she departed, she did so as a Director of Studies.
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