Job Discussion Forums

elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

Anyone have any good or bad comments on Berlitz or ALS? Just curious... am looking at all the biggies to get into Japan as a newbie, it seems the easiest way.

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

I can't say anything about ALS, I'd suggest you do a search of this forum, but of all the eikaiwa operations in Japan, all of which are scams to some extent or another, Berlitz is the best of a bad lot.

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

If working split shifts are your thing, then maybe Berlitz is okay... Confused

I've only known one person who has worked there though, so I don't know how common split shifts are.

I had an interview with ALS once. The school I was interviewed at (in Japan) was a mum & pop operation. ALS is technically a franchise, but it's a bit like McDonald's. They just own the schools. The local managers run them and have near total control of them. How good the school is totally depends on the manager. I wasn't hired because I'm a Christian. It was explained to me that they had a Mormon working for them in the past, and they ended up firing him because he turned English time with the kids into Book of Mormon study time. Since I was a Christian (hey, I thought putting that I'd taught Sunday school on my resume was a good thing!), and the owners equated all Christians with Mormons, apparently, they hired someone else.

The vacation times at ALS were pretty decent though. I would go for it, based on what I know. Just be wary of your boss.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

uticsperkins2004 · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Moriya, Ibaraki-ken

I currently work for ALS and can agree with the previous post that your experience will probably largely depend on your franchise/branch manager. The head office and company as a whole is great to work for and provide support when you need it. They do a full day training seminar every year which is really well-planned and useful.

ALS offers 5 weeks paid vacation as well as some national holidays. If you have any specific questions, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

Hope this was helpful..

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

No joke, Canuck. Can you suggest a better big eikaiwa to work for? I know it's like asking which fast food franchise is better to work at, but I'd appreciate your comments nonetheless.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Berlitz pays the best (highest monthly salary), and also it is the only school that pays for cancelled lessons where you can go off and do whatever (not required to do paperwork, demo lessons, etc during this time).

The unpaid training is bad, but I would say I know of only two people who weren't hired after the training; one was a nutcase Confused

, the other argued with the trainer during training Rolling Eyes

.

There is paid holidays at Berlitz as long as you have worked a minimum number of lessons within a month, as well as travel pay when you travel to outside companies or other branches and when you travel back to your home branch.

As to monitoring, it's minimal. Besides, if you're doing your job, what does it matter what your supervisor hears.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

No, the other schools have a policy to make you do other work during your cancelled lesson time, what contract you have doesn't change that situation.

elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

Thanks - interesting comments - sounds like they are the best of the bunch in a way - except for ECC but i was put off by them - i had an interview booked and couldnt make it so called to rearrange...but a man on the phone who sounded very drunk said they didnt have anymore interviews and it was the only one they had held for 12 years!!!!!!!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

That sounds hardly likely as ECC has a constant turnover, another factor in favor of Berlitz. They have the lowest employee (and student) turnover compared to the other main language schools (Nova's is probably the highest).

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

emypie · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:48 am Post subject:

Im currently working at an ALS and so far have no complaints or problems. Yes, usually the franchies are a mom and pop thing, mine is actually a family business, they've been doing this for 18 years, so I think it's good because they've got things well organised.

I've talked to other ALS teachers and apparently I've lucked out -- I've got REALLY easy hours (25 a week), no classes before 4 pm, no weekends classes either. But I've met some teachers who teach from 12-8 pm every day! So really, it DOES depend on which one you go to. Each school is different. I've met some ALS teachers who quit after a few months. And sadly, there's no way to find out what it's gonna be like other than to take the job, come here, and find out first hand!

In terms of location, most ALS schools are in or around Chiba, and a bunch of them are in the boonies, so be aware of the possibility of working in a rural area. I believe there are one or two in Nagoya. And a handful in Tokyo, but not downtown. So if you've got aspirations of working in Shinjuku, best check an ECC or NOVA.

Anyways -- in summary, my ALS is great, but others are not. Its a roll of the dice. Good luck!