Job Discussion Forums

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

there are two questions with Berlitz:

how was the strike? Was it effective?

are there still the cameras in each classroom?
I wouldn't like being spied on when I'm teaching.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

There never have been cameras at all as far as I know. They do listen in on lessons from time to time, but it's not very often (in an average year, maybe 3-4 lessons). Thus, if you're doing your job, i.e. prompting students to talk and helping them to fill in the gaps when they need it, then you have nothing to worry about.

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

williama · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 14

What's this strike about? Is it specifically aimed at Berlitz?

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

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

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Again Miyazaki, if Berlitz was so bad, why did you work for the company in 3 different countries?

Give it a break. Sounds you didn't like working there, time to move on with your life!

And what exactly were they monitoring in the break room? Was it something about an underage......or what you were doing drunk at......?

Were you smoking in the boys room too Razz

?

williama · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 14

Is it possible to apply for a working holiday visa, look for a job while I'm over there, find one and then apply for a proper working visa. As I really need to be in Japan at the latest by the end of February, really.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject:

They certainly do use cameras to monitor lessons at Berlitz. The guy that interviewed me some years ago was very open and honest about it actually.

I can see how it would bother some people.

What used to bother me at the company I used to work for, was when the kids' mothers used to sit just outside the classroom (the kind where the walls didn't reach the ceiling).
I was always worried one of the kids would start saying stuff like "booooring". They never did, but I often let it bug me.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

William,

If you are the right age and /or nationality to get a working holiday visa, then grab it and do what you want and work where you want.
You don't need Berlitz to provide you with one in that case. But the fact Berlitz have hinted at making a working visa for you, makes me thing you don't qualify for one?

Can you clarify that for us, so people can answer your question better.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

AgentMulderUK posted

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:26 am Post subject:

The guy that interviewed me was Chris something or other (Canadian), pretty high up the chain in the Tokyo office. We are talking about 2005 here. Sorry cannot recall which Tokyo office if there are more than one, but my impression was it was the main office.

He said the school managers use it as a means of monitoring quality control of teaching to ensure the customers are getting the best service.etc etc. He also said its up to the discretion of each manager.

I am just relaying what I heard first hand.

Like I said he was very open about it, and although I don't necessarily agree with camera monitoring, I did appreciate the man's honesty.

Berlitz seem to be an up-front company in my book, spelling out the bad as well as the good. I actually regret turning them down and taking the job I did.

williama · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 14

With a working holiday visa it is my understanding that I can only work a certain amount of hours a week, I think the visa also only lasts 6 months. If I get a certificate of eligibility from a company, then I can apply of a working visa which lasts a year and I can work as many hours as I want.
I think with a working holiday visa I can only work part time, please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm just unsure as to if I get a working holiday visa, can I then still apply for a working visa if I can get aproper job position? Thanks.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You can now work full time on a working holiday visa. You can also extend the visa for a further 6 months, or change over to a full working visa if you have a degree and an employer to sponsor you. Check out the FAQs for lots of visa info.

japolak · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 40

So, I applied to Berlitz and they want me to go for an interview. But I'm still not sure if I should or not....

How is the interview process? Do you have to do a demo?