Origins of the Callan Method part one...

So, one of the perrenial subjects of conversation in the staff room is "Where did the method come from" or something like that, often to do with Mr Callan. It is often supposed that the questions come from Mr Callan's mind, so that a history of Mr C's life can be constructed from them. For example;

• He was an orphan; cf questions about family, childhood
• He never married, but admires women in a "romantic way", perhaps idealising them
  
• He is therefore probably straight
• He killed someone and often visits the grave

Ok, so the last one is possible a bit far off, a bit like saying that he once fell from a very high building and died. But this game is at least fun! In fact there are all kinds of things we can know for CERTAIN about Mr Callan. Why? Because he is still alive! You can go and see him in Grantchester.

And that is what I and a few friends actually intend to do. I will report back with all the details.

Suffice to say that although I can see the method isn't perfect and has some apparently dated questions I have no time for people who rubbish Callan or say his method is crap. Let's see what they can do instead?
Can they create a method from scratch or from near scratch? Can they build up the largest English language school in Europe through almost no advertising? Are they millionaires? Do they live next to Jeffrey Archer?

Most of the people who complain about Callan are failed actors or writers who have become teachers, that sad shadow world you find in EFL teaching...more on that later.

Next post; The Italian POW link!!!

A new blog

Hi, whoever is out there! This is James from the A2Z School of English in Manchester, a callan method school in England. I have decided to create an open blog about the Callan Method. Although there are various listings on the internet about the Callan Method I think there is space for a better and more objective forum.

Let's start with what already exists;

• The St Nicholas School of English have created their own blog about the Callan Method, but this seems to be created mostly to get links for their school. Nevertheless, it is a noble effort, including good videos and interviews. Unfortunately their excellent interview with my old friend Richard (possibly the best Callan Teacher I have every met, and trained by........me!) has been deleted or lost for some strange reason...
• Then there are the teacher forums filled with negative comments about the method. This is mostly bitter teachers who are happy to find something they can be horrible about. Better steer clear of all that, or better still read it and reailse how rubbish it is. Most of the people who complain about the Callan Method have either never taught it, not taught it properly (and so not enjoyed it) or are just ideologues who have their own pet theories about English teaching.

So, this blog is going to aim to be something different. Here is what I want to acheive;

• Input from teachers about teaching the method
• Input from students about learning this way
• Input from anybody else who knows anything about the method
• For my own part I will attempt to tell you what I know about the method
• And I will try and pull together in one place any other interesting leads.....

More to come later!