Job Discussion Forums

[billysmolesworthy]

Thank you Miyazaki for your sober and reasoned response.

You figure I'm management or a head teacher even though I stated that the mics sometimes 'caused tension' , made one student feel under extreme pressure, that my branch may have done things 'half arsed' and as a 'knee jerk' reaction', and the statement that they are 'the LOWEST PAYING gig in town'.

I suspect you just threw those accusations in because anybody disagreeing with you must be management. Or a witch! A witch!

The OP isn't asking which company is most or least welcoming to union members, so your post is not relevant. Never the less, I used real and relevant illustrations from a working Berlitz branch to show that it's just not feasible to have a staff-wide, ongoing, audio/video monitoring system. Can you provide the same level of detail to support your cries of union harrassment?

The OP needs some helpful and thought-out advice, so that they can make a more informed decision. Berlitz is as greedy as the next money making corporation, but they simply don't have the 'greasy' reputation NOVA does.

Oh, and apologies to the moderators for my gutter mouth in the previous post. So is 'arse' okay then? What a load of *beep*.

[gaijinalways]

Berlitz isn't the lowest payer. They certainly offer more hours on a regular basis with much better earning capability than any of the other eikaiwas. We get paid for cancellations, we're not required to do busy work during that time. We can get double payment (working during a cancelled lesson), which isn't paid at any other language school that I know of.

[billysmolesworthy]

I agree Gaijinalways. I don't work for Berlitz much anymore, but they were always upstanding with me. Paid on time, treated honestly and professionally.

If the original poster is still reading, all of the full timers at my branch were more that satisfied working there. As a part timer, I was happy with Berlitz because they could fill so many of the gaps in my teaching schedule. So I could go into work for Berlitz and earn, instead of staying home at watching DVDs.

But come oooon Gaijinalways, if they are not the lowest payers for casual work, who is then? Well maybe Gabba. But 2700 an hour (1800 per 40 minute lesson) for casual/on call, is at the bottom of the market, don't you think.

I'll concede they are one of the lowest paying gigs in town.

[gaijinalways]

I never said they were one of the higher ones (compared to uni jobs, for example or some direct private high school jobs), but for the amount of work you have to do outside of class time, it's okay. The 'face' time can kill you, but that goes for any teaching situation where you teach too much, you can burn out.

[billysmolesworthy]

Gaijinalways wrote

[jah434s]

Hey guys, thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it. I've got an interview with them via skype coming up soon. Anyone who has interviewed with them have any advice, as far as what to expect? I really appreciate all the help.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, I tried using the online application but kept getting errors when submitting it. So I contacted them, and they gave me an address to send my resume and cover letter to. So far it has worked out all right .

[gaijinalways]

Dispatch? The main problems with the dispatch companies are;

the rates vary

you may be traveling all over, and the dispatch company doesn't pay for your travel time (Berlitz does in some cases when you're traveling further from your main school)

you have to prep (not necessarily a bad thing, but it is more work)

your schedule cannot be adjusted so easily as usually classes start and finish at specific times (months and times of day)


the good points

-see the same students every week

-can use more of your own material


I recently wanted to take on another business class, but after injuring my back, I actually cut back on my Berlitz schedule. Before you say you make more with dispatch companies, look at the whole story.

By the way, I make over 3000 yen an hour with Berlitz. Plus, my coworkers are a funny bunch, so that and free coffee makes up for some of the disadvantages. Oh, and I'm 20 minutes to home door to door from my branch.

[drifter13]

[gaijinalways]

Sorry, I forgot about the interview part last time. I haven't had a phone interview, but they are interested in how you would deal with some cultural issues; some shy students who don't want to speak, being senseitve about privacy issues, being friendly, etc. They may ask if you have taught (coaching, tutoring, etc.) and what you like and dislike about teaching. Beyond that, it's fairly easy to get hired as long as you're fairly mature, and can respond to questions without becoming too long winded or evasive.

[drifter13]

Thanks for the info, seems pretty standard interview wise, do they do a mock lesson? I heard the the training is 6 days long and unpaid, how long is it each day? I've dedicated myself to staying in Japan at least until Januray, so, ill take any job I can get, cameras or not.

[gaijinalways]

The training is unfortunately unpaid, with travel to the training not even being paid . Sometimes you get a free lunch, but even that is not guaranteed. Definately not the better part of getting the job .

[jah434s]

Hey, just thought I'd stop in with an update. I've completed the first interview, which I guess is kind of a general screening interview. It went well enough, I suppose. We did it over Skype, and the gentleman on their side was very nice. It's pretty much basically what was stated above. Just standard interview stuff. Now I'm waiting for them to send my info to one of the Language Centers for another interview. Fingers crossed!

[gaijinalways]

No worries, I'm sure you'll do fine. Just relax and show you can think without boring your interviewer.

[ohahakehte]

[alexcase]

Can't even remember what country, but a friend of a friend worked in a school with not only cameras but a loud speaker system so that, for example, if the head teacher looking at their CCTV monitor noticed one of the kids nodding off before you they would blurt out an order for them to wake up.

The unpleasantness of the experience aside, I'd be interested to see research on whether having constant monitoring made teachers teach better or not. I think it'd be a toss up to be honest.