44. A Comparison of Scudit with Linguait and Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (Siena) (3 of 4)
Administration
Leonardo: The Administrator/Director remained behind the scene ensuring that the school ran smoothly. My only objection is very much a personal one in that I didn’t think she was really interested in the suggestions I made at the end of my stay.
Linguait: The school had both a Front man and a Back room Administrator as well as other owner-teachers. I thought this was the best administered of the three schools in what I consider the most important aspect – the placing of students at their correct level and ensuring minimum disruption from new and departing students.
Scudit: The Director was front and centre at this school.
Incoming Test
At all three schools incoming students had to take a test before being placed.
Leonardo: A very thorough test comprising, grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. The last occurred after the Administrator had marked the written test. My only complaint was that there was no follow-up after we had discussed my strengths and weaknesses. See Blog 7.
Linguait: A written test followed by an interview as per Leonardo. Despite my caveat with Leonardo, both schools were thorough in testing students and in trying to place them at the appropriate level.
Scudit: The test was strictly on grammar, and as a result, my class displayed a wide range in terms of comprehension and ability to speak. Although the school was flexible enough to move students about, a more thorough testing, or just an interview might have helped when placing students. Poor testing results in insufficient consideration before placing a student, especially as the school claims to emphasise conversation in its brochure.
Orientation - Reception
Leonardo: There was a welcoming reception, but no effort to introduce students to each other at the reception. If my memory serves me, there was another reception two weeks later. But there was no real orientation that I can remember.
Linguait: There was a welcoming reception and some effort at introducing students to each other. There was also an orientation at which we were given information on Verona, including restaurants etc. Even if some of the material needed to be updated, full credit should go to the school for this effort.
Scudit: No welcoming reception, no orientation. Nothing. Nada. Shades of Università per Stranieri, Perugia! (See Blogs 4, 5).
Leonardo: The Administrator/Director remained behind the scene ensuring that the school ran smoothly. My only objection is very much a personal one in that I didn’t think she was really interested in the suggestions I made at the end of my stay.
Linguait: The school had both a Front man and a Back room Administrator as well as other owner-teachers. I thought this was the best administered of the three schools in what I consider the most important aspect – the placing of students at their correct level and ensuring minimum disruption from new and departing students.
Scudit: The Director was front and centre at this school.
Incoming Test
At all three schools incoming students had to take a test before being placed.
Leonardo: A very thorough test comprising, grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. The last occurred after the Administrator had marked the written test. My only complaint was that there was no follow-up after we had discussed my strengths and weaknesses. See Blog 7.
Linguait: A written test followed by an interview as per Leonardo. Despite my caveat with Leonardo, both schools were thorough in testing students and in trying to place them at the appropriate level.
Scudit: The test was strictly on grammar, and as a result, my class displayed a wide range in terms of comprehension and ability to speak. Although the school was flexible enough to move students about, a more thorough testing, or just an interview might have helped when placing students. Poor testing results in insufficient consideration before placing a student, especially as the school claims to emphasise conversation in its brochure.
Orientation - Reception
Leonardo: There was a welcoming reception, but no effort to introduce students to each other at the reception. If my memory serves me, there was another reception two weeks later. But there was no real orientation that I can remember.
Linguait: There was a welcoming reception and some effort at introducing students to each other. There was also an orientation at which we were given information on Verona, including restaurants etc. Even if some of the material needed to be updated, full credit should go to the school for this effort.
Scudit: No welcoming reception, no orientation. Nothing. Nada. Shades of Università per Stranieri, Perugia! (See Blogs 4, 5).
posted by Toby1939 at 11:09 AM
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