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kamikazekid
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Toronto
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 Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:49 pm Post subject: Berlitz in Mexico-opinions please |
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hi,
I am wondering whether anyone here has worked for Berlitz before- maybe not all berlitz schools are the same but for anonymity's sake I will keep the location private:
this school requires two weeks unpaid training _and then_ it takes four to six weeks to get the suggested working hours (20-30 a week). You have to be available at any time (7am to 9pm) during the week and saturdays8-3. you cannot tutor privately either- i guess that also speaks for teaching in another school too...
also the pay is 60 pesos per 45 min, and avg monthly is 5300 pesos. Has anyone had a similar work situation in mexico and felt they were able to live 'comfortably'?
Is this type of ball-and-chain work relationship typical in Mexico?
thanks for any feedback |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:42 am Post subject: |
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| this school requires two weeks unpaid training |
A little much, but not unheard of...
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| _and then_ it takes four to six weeks to get the suggested working hours (20-30 a week). You have to be available at any time (7am to 9pm) during the week and saturdays8-3. |
This almost sounds like offsite classes...if so, it sounds normal. If onsite, again, a little much.
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| you cannot tutor privately either |
This is code for 'don't steal our students' Do what you will with your free time.
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| i guess that also speaks for teaching in another school too |
None that I would set foot in.
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| also the pay is 60 pesos per 45 min, and avg monthly is 5300 pesos. Has anyone had a similar work situation in mexico and felt they were able to live 'comfortably'? |
If you were teaching privates during off hours, then this would be an ok base income. But, if they were to prevent from gaining other income, then this is not a lot to live on. It also depends greatly on the city/town. In DF, it would be hard, though not impossible. If you can bump that up to about 6500, then you would be better off.
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| Is this type of ball-and-chain work relationship typical in Mexico? |
It happens, but I wouldn't call it typical.
If you have some experience (or even not) and related qualifications (degree, TESOL, CELTA, etc), I'd pass on this. You can find better. |
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dyak
Joined: 25 Jun 2003
Posts: 630
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| In my experience Berlitz are VERY selective, especially here in San Luis. Once you're in there are some nice perks and they pay 80 pesos the hour here but Guy's right, you can find better, especially in the Unis. |
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kamikazekid
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks guys. yes i have CELTA, and its reassuring to know there are other options out there.... its looking like schools worth their salt will have to see me first before they hire. I'll be down there soon enough. Its always scary going down first though... |
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PlayadelSoul
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| The training period is very common in a lot of jobs in Mexico. I think it doubles as a probation period. Once someone is on the payroll, it is hard to get rid of him. Mexican labor laws definitely favor the worker, almost to the extent of absurdity. |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Those conditions sound terrible to me. I wouldn't put up with that nonsense, when there are plenty of better jobs elsewhere. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:16 am Post subject: |
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| PlayadelSoul wrote: |
| The training period is very common in a lot of jobs in Mexico. I think it doubles as a probation period. Once someone is on the payroll, it is hard to get rid of him. Mexican labor laws definitely favor the worker, almost to the extent of absurdity. |
Anyone know if Berlitz offers to sponsor an FM3 as standard policy? |
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PlayadelSoul
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| PlayadelSoul wrote: |
| The training period is very common in a lot of jobs in Mexico. I think it doubles as a probation period. Once someone is on the payroll, it is hard to get rid of him. Mexican labor laws definitely favor the worker, almost to the extent of absurdity. |
Anyone know if Berlitz offers to sponsor an FM3 as standard policy? |
I am sure they do, if they are able to offer enough hours to warrant one. When I first came to Mexico, I was offered a job in Berlitz. They would only guarantee me 10 hours a week. Obviously, I turned it down. |
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kamikazekid
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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| they say that they will reimburse you for the FM3 if you work for them for a year. they say nothing of guaranteed hours, but they say its an avg. of 20-30. |
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