Job Discussion Forums

Chefintaipei · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 30

Hi folks,
Just wondering if anyone knows anything about working for Berlitz? Another cram school or has anyone had any positive experiences? My job's ok but considering a change after the summer. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has any info.

Cheers!

go_lightly · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 27

I came across several negative posts in regards to Berlitz, but in the "Job Information Journal" section, under North America, USA. Most people had complaints about the restrictive Berlitz teaching method. I don't know much about Berlitz in Taiwan; but it seems that the schools have to reflect the same Berlitz policies worldwide. I would just be more concerned w/ pay since it seems that their teaching method is the same type pushed by many private language institutes & bushibans...

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Berlitz like most chain schools on Taiwan designs it courses and curriculum not towards the most effective way of getting the students to learn but rather in a way that the makes the students want to continue to pay tuition fees. Students and teachers needs in the classroom are secondary to the need of the chain school to make a sustained income.
Stay away from chain schools if you can help it. You will be doing yourself and your students a much greater service.
Good luck!
A.

Chefintaipei · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 30

Any ideas for a good place to work that isn't a cram school Aristotle?

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

You can contact the Berlitz teachers union in Japan from the following website. You will have to email the union for some info on Berlitz in Taiwan.

With a push for the South Korean government to recognize a foreign teachers union there (with teachers from Berlitz) it would be great to see a similar effort in Taiwan.

http://berlitz.generalunion.org/

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

I worked for Berlitz in the States and have known people who worked for them in Japan. If you are a person who can function on autopilot and needs absolutely no mental stimulation whatsoever, Berlitz is perfect! They don't care if the students learn anything, just so long as they keep signing up for more lessons. The pay sucked then and probably still does. The bosses just want you to follow the "Berlitz method" and endlessly praise the students. Stroke them egos and get the contract extension out. The method is actually a good one but they take a "one size fits all" approach and deviation is frowned upon. They also listen in on your lessons without your knowledge to make sure you are following the plan.

Does this sound like fun to you?

DirtGuy

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

This might give people out there some indication of what working conditions are like at Berlitz... the unionized teachers have been on strike for 2 weeks now in Japan over a decrease in wages for new hires and new working rules that do not deal with the harassment issues that teachers face, among other issues.

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Berlitz is a bad company to work for no matter which country you're in.

The country manager here, Revital Golan, consistantly broke laws in Korean when she was the country manager in Korea for Berlitz.

Previous poster mentioned contacting the Berlitz Union - great idea.

http://berlitz.generalunion.org/index.htm

I really think this is a company to avoid working for no matter where you are.