Job Discussion Forums

[TeacherProspect]

Hello,

I am being considered for a job offer from Berlitz in the UAE (specifically in Al Ain) to teach ESL. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could share their experience with working with Berlitz in the UAE. What was the nature of the job like? What were the hours? How competitive is the salary and the benefits?

I also am being considered for a job offer to teach ESL with ScorePlus in Qatar in Doha.

What general advice would you have for me?

Again, I would greatly appreciate your comments.
I hope that I can also help you.

[nomad soul]

See "Berlitz - Dubai" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=92416) for a few comments. The person who interviewed you will be able to tell you about hours.

Are you a local hire (i.e., a current, legal resident of the UAE)? Language schools usually hire from the local expat community in order to keep salaries and benefits to a minimum. Plus, keep in mind that having Berlitz on your CV is a negative if you plan on moving up the TEFL ladder.

[veiledsentiments]

[TeacherProspect]

Sorry, I guess I should have added some context to my post.

I am not looking to teach ESL as a career. I am teaching ESL to gain teaching experience before heading off to school again and then teaching another subject.

I don't have a Master's in TESOL or years of experience teaching ESL. I am thinking that Berlitz may be something for someone like me. I also really do not care about making the best salary that I can. I would be glad to teach full-time for around 25-35K USD with benefits.

I am currently teaching with ELS in California and I am having really bad experiences with the job market here in California. I see the UAE and Qatar as having a lot more opportunity.

The position in the UAE with Berlitz is a split shift and all of it is teaching I believe. But, since the materials are complete, some classes are one-on-one, and the classroom sizes are small I feel that I will manage well. If others can manage, then I know that I can. Anyways, I don't think they would overwork their employees to the point of being counterproductive.

I guess if no one has any direct experience then I will just contact my employer about my concerns.

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

[veiledsentiments]

If I were just heading out to get some experience, with no educational credentials (and thus very low pay), the last place I would go would the Gulf as there are very few job opportunities at the bottom. The cost of living is higher than much of the US.

I don't see these language schools paying $3000 a month plus benefits. (pay is always stated monthly in the Middle East) I'd head to the Far East or South America. The reputation of language schools in the ME is long long hours with split shifts and they will work you to death for the lowest pay in the area.

Their definition of productive will be for you to produce as much possible income for them while they pay you the least amount of money. They are notorious as slave drivers...

VS

[s2000000]

Hi Teacher Prospect,
Just wanted to ask, as you're not a local hire (?), is Berlitz going to include the air tickets in the contract (to join and at contract end) and what is the housing in Al Ain that they are offering ? An allowance or an actual flat?
Thanks.

[D. Merit]

[TeacherProspect]

s2000000 - I have not received the contract yet. I will pm you later at that time.

Thanks for all of your comments.

I will see what the job offer is and I will take your comments into consideration.

I was offered a position (but as an Academic Tutor) in Qatar with ScorePlus/Princeton Review that was offering somewhere around 40k total with all of the benefits and housing included in that number. I emailed the teachers that were working there and they had nothing but great things to say. I am very eager to see what contract I will receive as an ESL Teacher with ScorePlus. I am not trying to make money to spend on superficial things, I am trying to save money to pay off my student debts.

I completely understand about Berlitz. They were offering an extremely low salary here in Los Angeles. So much so, I am not sure why anybody would consider working there. But here's something interesting that I was told by the employer. She told me that the split shifts was because of culture and not economics. The people want to be able to go back to their families for a while before going back to work.

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

[TeacherProspect]

Thanks for the comments.
I am a lot more informed now.

TeacherProspect