Useless teacher at Spanish evening class - should we complain?

[Fionn]

I'm doing a Spanish Beginners evening class at a local college with my brother. Unfortunately our teacher is useless. She can speak Spanish but has no idea how to teach it. She doesn't explain things properly, doesn't focus on student needs and has no concept of the basics of language teaching - one student asked for a guideline on how to pronounce "u" as in "Uruguay" and the teacher said "we don't do grammar at this level"!!
Yesterday she was absent and we had a replacement teacher who was very good. The difference was amazing, and one student said she felt she'd learned more in 2 hours than she had in the previous 8 lessons. I've taught English as a foreign language and also am not really a Beginner at Spanish, but wanted to revise what I'd learnt years ago. But I's still be happy in the class if the teacher was any good. There are only 5 of us in the class and everyone is dissatisfied (the course cost £96 for 15 lessons) but we're all too English to complain! I've thought of speaking to the Head of Dept but we'd probably still be stuck with the same teacher and there'd be a bad atmosphere as she would know we'd complained. We're not getting value for money though (the course cost £96 for 15 lessons)and the other students are getting very discouraged. Any advice or previous experience of a similar situation, anyone? Thanks.

My only advice is for you to let the Head know about the poor standard. That's too much money to be wasted on something you get no value from. Who cares if she knows whether you are complaining or not.

Mind you, maybe you should talk openly with her first and let her know how disappointed you are in her teaching methods. Constructive critiscm rather than negative. Tell her what you do like about her methods but also that you feel you are not being taught properly and gaining what you all expected from the class. If one speaks up the others will too and she will have to readdress her teaching style.

It's much better to tell the person rather than someone else and even though she may struggle at first with what you say remind her that it is for her benefit as well as yours. Everyone must always strive to improve.

It will be a hard conversation but at the same time hopefully rewarding for yourself, the class and her. You may lose one class on discussing the issues but hopefully the rest of them will improve and you can make up ground.

meanmum and ks - thanks for replying. I must admit, I wouldn't know where to start with the teacher giving constructive criticism directly. She just doesn't know how to teach! I agree that it would be more constructive to speak to her first but just don't know how to go about it. KS, yes I do think about my own EFL teaching experience and I wasn't a natural teacher at all (which is why I never returned to it after my spell in Spain). But this is not just an occasional bad class, it's her whole teaching style. She's obviously found a cushy number, no-one complains and no-one inspects her classes. I think we'll attempt to ask for more correction etc - she's so laid back, she never says "no, it should be like this".

It's slightly more difficult if you believe the issue is her and not just a matter of style that needs to be adjusted. My advice would probably still be to talk to her first but if it isn't going to have much effect in an alteration of style can you maybe put it to her that you have issues with her teaching abilities and are intending to raise these with the Head. If she is open to the conversation one of her first questions would be "what is wrong with my teaching" and this should hopefully open up a dialogue between yourselves which may result in an effect and mean you don't have to approach the Head.

However, she may become defensive which to me shows she has no interest in listening to opinions and trying to better herself. Therefore, go to the Head and you have at least had the courtesy to inform her first. From the little you have said about her I am assuming she will probably go on the defensive but once again at least you will sleep properly knowing you were not underhanded in any way.

I really think you should say something as they have a committment to you to which they are not delivering. You signed up for the course with certain expectations that they have set and they are not living up to those.

Please say something for yourself if nothing else. I'm happy to keep coaching if you need it.