Job Discussion Forums

kiwi #2 · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 1

I have an interview with Berlitz in mid April. Does anyone have any experience with them? What kind of questions should I expect from them at the interview?

There doesn't seem to be too many people who have written about their experience with them. I've only come across two people's comments saying they enjoyed working for Berlitz, but that was pretty much it.

How dressy should I be for the interview? (Both guys and girls dress as I'm also writing on behalf of my partner.)

Any information would be extreamly helpful! I believe Berlitz SOUNDS like a good company to work for, but I'd love to hear other people's experiences!

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

Here is a discussion group aimed at Berlitz

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/berlitzjapan-roudoukumiai/

Or email [email protected] and we can put you in contact with the right people to ask.

lostinparis · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:45 pm Post subject:

Can't help you here... but if the Berlitz there is anything like the one in Paris, run away NOW..... screaming!

I interviewed with the big B here in the City of Lights and found the pay appalling (they were charging students 375 euros A WEEK for lessons and offering me about 9/hour. The going rate is around 14-18 euros/hour). The overall atmosphere was less than thrilling, as well...think English factory here with assembly-line teachers making their verbs, adjectives, and adverbs come out of the giant language machine like nice little sausages....

I shudder to think...

Anyway, could be that different branches vary. In your case, I hope so. The peeps at big B were not very discriminating in the interview, which lasted a total of about 10 minutes. (very simple questions about what I was doing in France, etc... basically, just making sure I was a native speaker and didn't have a speech impediment). Needless to say, I got the job. But after getting it, I no longer wanted it.

Let us know how it turns out for you...

lanalechat · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: USA

I can't speak for the other Berlitz schools outside of New York City, but it is totally exploitative of teachers. As someone else here stated, the pay is appallingly low. Besides that, you work on a on-call basis, and there's virtually no chance of getting a full-time gig. They have different pay scales depending on what language you teach. English pays the least, around $8.50 per hour. I'd taught English and Cantonese, which paid $13 an hour. Don't expect much unless all you require is just a little pocket change!

ashburn · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 6

Hey Kiwi

I have a lot of experience with Berlitz and all I can say is unless you're desperate for the work then go elsewhere. Berlitz have a tradition of hiring newbies on a per lesson contract that will see you on call for excessive periods of time without any guarantees of work. The company keeps its purse strings very tight and will not do you any favors regardless of how available or committed to the company you are.

Look elsewhere!