Job Discussion Forums

[Monna-Bonna]

Hi all!

I'm on the point of accepting a position with Berlitz in Mexico but am apprehensive- to say the least- after reading streams of negative reviews about the company. Are there any teachers out there who were happy with their Berlitz experience? I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into.

Cheers,

Mon

[spiral78]

Berlitz uses a specific approach and method which has been largely discredited by research over the past 25 years

HOWEVER, for teachers, it's not the worst venue. No preparation, just show up, follow the plan, look and act professional - it's a piece of cake.
If you're not concerned with deeper-level classroom issues and just want to follow the plan, it's fine.

(It wouldn't be my kind of game, I hasten to add - but I've known teachers who were quite ok with this)

Berlitz survives because it's got a long-term solid reputation - companies can take out a contract that looks reputable on their tax returns and they can count on Berlitz not to fold unexpectedly and abscond with their funds.

[naturegirl321]

MELEE might be a good person to contact about Berlitz in Mexico.

I personally think that Berlitz was one of those fad methods, similar to the Callan Method, or the Natural Method (is that the one with meditation and three hour lessons)

But like spiral says, some teachers like it.

[gaijinalways]

Actually Berltz changed its method recently ( I know, Maxmillian must be rolling over in his grave ),　but it is still a no prep system (at least in theory).

Yes, they still primarliy depend on the direct method or natural method using questions and not explaining grammar generally but introducing examples and expecting students to deduce the rules. Personally I don't think the method has been discredited, it's just nothing special, it's what most teachers use (my meaning of discredited would mean it doesn't work).

It's okay, though the contact hours can be long, especially if you are full time. Also, depending on your branch, you may be teaching a lot of beginners, which can be very draining (ugh, I do that at uni too ).

But other than that, it is a well known company, though to be honest, the working conditions do vary a lot from country to country.

[Monna-Bonna]

Thanks guys!

Though it still seems impossible to find former (or current) employees of Berlitz who have something good to say about it.

Hmmm...

[MO39]

In Mexico I have had students who'd studied at Berlitz at one time or another. The only comment about the place that I could get out of them is how expensive the classes were, nothing about the quality of the instruction, good or bad. That tells me that they were not satisfied with the way things were run there but didn't want to bad-mouth the school.

[Extraordinary Rendition]

It's a franchised operation and conditions probably vary greatly from place to place, but having said that, I worked for Berlitz early in my career - they gave me a job when I needed one, and at the time I appreciated the training they provided. The teaching was mostly one-to-one, with some small classes, from 2 to 8, and students were professionals - a lot of company on-sites. The pay was bad, and the hours were terrible, but the teaching itself was easy (The Method - once you've got it down you can do it in your sleep - which I did). And as I said, fantastic students - love one-to-one with professionals. But a lot probably depends on the country and the particular operation - I was lucky, very knowledgable boss and great students.