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!!!