Job Discussion Forums

[bang99]

Hi from Canada,

I am thinking of accepting an offer from Berlitz Language School in Jeddah has anyone taught there?

Douglas

[Hector_Lector]

I don�t think anyone has ever taught in a Berlitz language school.

[grahamb]

Douglas, check out the Job Information Journal. Berlitz don't seem to be aware that slavery is illegal.

[el_gringo_que_viaja]

Interestingly enough, Berlitz was one of the worst employers to work for in Bogota when I was working there. They payed less than everyone else and had worse conditions. I guess the policies must be a part of Berlitz international.

[jeddahteacher]

Coincidence. I met a fellow yesterday who taught for three years at Berlitz Jeddah. He said it was not a bad place to work. Pay not the best, but working conditions were OK.
Cheers,
Bob

[Bindair Dundat]

[Bebsi]

Anyone thinking of working for Berlitz in KSA must need their heads examined, from what I've seen of the advertised conditions & pay, and what I've heard. There are FAR BETTER positions in KSA, even for people with little or no Gulf experience.
Try International House, ELS (Jeddah, Dammam & Riyadh) & English First. Any of those, while not fantastic, are a far better way to get 'a foot in the door'.
Ultimately, look at places like the Royal Commission (very good conditions, very fair, pretty good hols), KFUPM (very fair, great hols, not bad conditions, easy work), and when you have a lot of KSA experience, BAe Systems (SDT now, great pay, pretty good conditions, not bad hols but nothing like KFUPM hols).

But from what I've heard, I reckon the only difference between Berlitz, Saudi Arabia and a BDSM joint is that in the latter, you get F***ED by someone of the opposite sex, and you will want to come back for more!!

[niko60]

Bebsi, and person inquiring about Berlitz,
I have been reading your sanctimonious comments on various locations, including Greece. You must have a great gig going if all you can do is critisise other teachers, and language schools, or your'e just a legend in your own mind. Whichever is the case it's irrelevant.
To the person who was inquiring about Berlitz. I can only tell you about my own experience. I have worked for them both in Greece, and the U.S.A. for special contracts ( Greek), I have no complaints about my specific situation, money, enviornment, etc.
I have heard however, that Berlitz Saudi does not pay top price, but they pay on time and the housing is above average, as is the insurance coverage. The vacation time is a bit less than other outfits, but you can negotiate. In general EFL snobs tend to snub Berlitz, but don't forget it is a multi-national operation with a wide choice of development, and advancement. As far as the doors that our freind Bebsi refers to... they must be back doors.

Regards.

Niko.

[Bebsi]

Niko,

My comments were obviously not all that irrelevant, in that they clearly needled you into replying.

I haven't criticized other teachers at all, I just said that if they are happy to get screwed, great for them, I'm just happy I am not among them.

Regarding other language schools, I am quite free to offer my views on any establishment that I feel is unfair or not good to work for. If a fellow teacher posts a query, it is perfectly natural that I would offer my advice. I will reiterate that advice:

While I cannot comment as such on Berlitz in other countries, I would certainly not touch Berlitz in KSA. As another poster said at one point in another thread, they get people out there who don't know the scene and exploit them. It is then too late to do anything as those teachers will not be given a No-Objection cert if they quit.

Berlitz in KSA pays about 7K a month...that is exploitation money for westerners in Saudi. I cannot comment on accom...and didn't....and as for insurance, I love the way many EFL schools advertise side benefits like insurance. In reality such benefits do NOT compensate for lack of adequate salary. Health insurance can be bouight pretty cheaply.

Correct me if I am wrong, but they offer 2 weeks' holidays a year. This is comi-tragic for KSA, where I had almost 5 months holidays in total with KFUPM. An absolute minimum of a month should be provided. If you get Berlitz to go that far above 2 weeks, I take my hat off to you.

Berlitz KSA is not getting in any 'door'....it's the servants' entrance at best and at worst, it's the equivalent of climbing in through a basement window!!!! Any decent institution in KSA pays at least 10K a month for an experienced teacher, or at least given decent hols. Most expats in Saudi have family & friends in the outside world, who can generally speaking, NOT visit Saudi.

I take your point that Berlitz is a multinational company; however, that doesn't mean that just by wishing to avoid getting screwed by them or any other organisation, I am being sanctimonious.

You, I dare say, sound a hell of a lot more 'sanctimonious'.



Incidentally, while I assume that 'freind' is a typo, I would point out that criticise is not spelt c-r-i-t-i-S-i-s-e.

[veiledsentiments]

Well guys,

Before this turns into a spitting contest, I'd say that you have both made your point.

Niko, for some people in some countries, Berlitz may be a decent employer - especially for those with no credentials or experience. Language schools provide the first experiences for many in this business.

But, I have been reading Dave's board from day one - and since the late 90's there has not been a good word said about Berlitz in Saudi Arabia. I don't know Mr Bebsi, but I have been reading here long enough to know that he's got his facts correct in this second posting. (though I agree that his original post on this thread was - shall we say - a bit negative towards someone who might have contemplated working there... rather adding insult to injury to the poor Berlitz teachers?)

Anyone who is considering taking a job with Berlitz should know what they are getting into. And, now they have two opinions here.

VS