Devoted to the call center industry, the agents on the phones, and their managers

I read an article by Ka Edong at his Technobiography blog, discussing about a company who set up a model for call center training.  In a nutshell, it is online based and a lot of internet cafes can benefit from it.  Here is an excerpt of what it offers:

Content: some purchased for a small fee from , some locally developed. Includes grammar, vocabulary, speech, etc.

Media: On-line audio, video with automated evaluations (i.e. tests)

Delivery Method: Through Internet shops (100% computer-based training - CBT) or through training centers (CBT + Instructor Led)

Duration: Around 2 weeks at 4 hours per day (self-paced)

Certification:  The training has a certificate recognized by call centers. The company also handles placement for their graduates.

Number of Graduates: Around 25 graduates per day

I’m skeptical about online training courses if it deals with verbal communication skills and have a computer score it.  It even mentions about students having to evaluate themselves.

Speech takes time for someone whose first language is not English.  It takes constant reinforcement from a trainer and a lot of practice.  The fact that it is self paced (though convenient) may not be effective.  I also question the type of certification it gets from call centers, its process and success rate.