Job Discussion Forums

[NorthofAmerica]

I am trying to apply for a position at Berlitz but the email contact that they have on the webpage is a dead link.

Anybody know a contact at Berlitz in Taiwan?

[Daphne]

Don't bother, as they just recently closed shop on the island.

[Solar Strength]

I live in Taipei near a Berlitz, I'll go in and talk to them and see what I can find out in the way of a contact person / info.

Will post it here for you when I get it.

[Daphne]

Well, When I emailed them back in February, a lady there wrote back that they were about to shut down their operations on the island within 30 days.

I hope she wasn't a liar

[NorthofAmerica]

Wow, is the economy really doing that bad in Taiwan?

Thus far I have been cruising and only reading bad economic news in the papers, hadn't affected me at all. Guess that's one advantage of mainland China, yay bubbles!!

[creztor]

Berlitz .com.tw website didn't work last time I checked. I believe Berlitz focuses on teaching adults? If so then there is no wonder they are having difficulties. There just isn't the kind of "we need to learn English" market in Taiwan as Japan, Korea and probably China (at least China has sheer numbers on its side). If you want to see how good/bad the adult English market is, just have a look at the kind/number of schools you'll find outside of Taipei that cater to the adult market.

[Daphne]

Even in Taipei the adult market is almost nonexistent nowadays.

The change really is dramatic compared with just 5 years ago when a foreigner would be propositioned left and right upon arrival for full-time gigs.

The PRC is definitely a much safer choice now, and if one is willing to work sufficient extra hours outside the contract there, the potential for savings nearly as good as in Taiwan or SK .

[zipper]

I have noticed that there has been a change in the Taiwanese mindset from �I want to learn English� to �I don�t really need it� over the last few years. I remember back in 1990�s adults would always be interested in a one on one English learning session, and kids of all ages would always run up to me on the street and try to use English. I don�t see it happening anymore. What is changing Taiwanese society�s view on learning English? Technology? Internet? Wealth? Politicians? Government? Previous EFL teachers� negative reputations? Yeah, I know about the low birthrate issues and economical stories, but what else affects the Taiwanese mindset regarding the need to learn English? Is Taiwan turning inward?

I left Taiwan for five years to work in Thailand, China and South Korea, and when I returned last December I have noticed a big change in the mindset among Taiwanese regarding English learning. It just doesn�t seem appealing to the larger population anymore. Perhaps there is a shift in paradigm about language learning?

[Shimokitazawa]

I also tried contacting Berlitz in Taiwan through e-mail and the e-mail didn't work. Then I called the office in Taipei and the number was not in service.

Other schools that have had branches that I've seen disappear over the last 2 years are Wallstreet Institute of English and a couple of other smaller schools. I've seen about 3 Wallstreet Institute of English branches close in the last couple of years.

Berlitz leaving Taiwan is a surprise to me, though.

NOVA and GEOS in Japan have gone bankrupt, and they were considered to be part of the Big 4: (1) NOVA, (2) GEOS, (3) Berlitz, and (4) Shane.

Taiwan and Japan seem to be much more harder to get jobs in now as opposed to serveral years ago, but Korea and China seem to still be going strong.

I also think that the Japanese and Taiwanese attitudes towards learning English are now not as strong as those in Korea or China.

Mileage varies in Korea. Yes, I know people who hate teaching and living in Korea but I also know people who have good jobs, good money, good relationships, and like the food, etc.. Their experience in Korea has been good. And some of them have been there for several years now.

Racism exists in Taiwan and Japan also. I've seen some terrible racism in Taiwan from the Taiwanese that really shocked me.

[Daphne]

Thanks for confirming what I as an ardent observer of the ESL game have been promulgating as of late regarding the PRC and SK being the only real viable options in the region at this time for someone looking to land a reasonable contract for full-time ESL work.


There might be a time a few years down the line when the ROC and Japan once again have plentiful gigs, but considering the state of the global economy right now and for the foreseeable future; that is quite iffy to say the least.


Those who've spent enough time in SK know all the crap that a foreigner goes through when dating a native, and even if she or he is brave enough to marry you; your child will have an unbearable time in the schools there. I think the BBC (or one of the other major news networks) did a short piece a few years back on such a child of mixed blood and all the trauma that had forced her to seek psychological counseling.


So, to me at least; SK is in some ways the "Saudi of the Orient." If you can bring your partner, are already past your thirties and likely divorced, have a high motivation for learning the local language, or just in it for the money; it is doable for a year or two. Otherwise, all too-likely to be a Sisyphean task

[zipper]