Job Discussion Forums

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

Have you experienced working life at Berlitz HK? If so, what was it like for you? Would you recommend it? How does the pay compare with that of EMB NET?

saroq · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 77

I have not worked for Berlitz so I don't know how the working conditions compare with the EMB NET scheme but depending on your qualifications and teaching experience it would be unlikely that Berlitz came anywhere near paying what the EMB scheme pays. That's not saying that the NET scheme is really all that good especially for families, just that language schools' rates of pay are, in general, appalling.

Peaches En Regalia · Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:26 am Post subject:

I do not think it possible to compare the two. One is a private training centre, the other a government-initiated and run scheme. I have never worked for Berlitz (and never would). Here in HK they pay, I think, around $16,000 HK. The EMB NET scheme, which I do have experience with (two two-year contracts), pays $13,000 HK a month housing allowance alone (though as I understand it, this has now been reduced to $10,500). With Berlizt - by dint of the firm's clients being gainfully employed (the only ones able to afford a course) - I guess you would have to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. On the EMB NET scheme you work, at most, 8am to 5 or 6pm (many 8am to 4pm), Monday to Friday. I think Berlitz offer ten days of paid holiday a year, on the NET scheme I received no less than three months paid holiday per annum - that is no less than 90 days sitting on a beach in Thailand earning $1,000 HK a day; think about that next time people without a hope in hell of ever getting on the scheme 'slag it off'.

Furthermore, whilst having a HK SAR EMB NET post on your CV pretty much allows you to work where you want upon completion of your contract (in my case it allowed me to step right into a university position), I doubt very much if the same can be said for ex-employees of Berlitz. In addition, whereas the EMB pay a 15% bonus (upon the successful completion of a contract) Berlitz pay, as I understand it, zilch. The EMB bonus is not to be sniffed at. If you earn $30,000 HK on the NET scheme, your bonus will total around $100,000 HK - enough with which to purchase a large property on the Mainland (the path I chose to follow).

In my humble opinion, the only thing that is comparable between these two wholly distinct paths is the fact that they are both in Hong Kong.

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

Thank you for your replies. I don't qualify to work for the EMB so I guess it was irrelevant to ask that comparative question.

I've been trying to endure life under the dictatorship of wifey, her husband, her sister, and that sister's two brats.

Now they've put a new link in the chain of command between them and the workers. She's a supervisor who was hired, after me, as a piano teacher and is a total puppet. She has no conception of the western notion of space, she charges right up to me, gets in my face about my hair style, my footware, my clothes, time off arrangements, never knows the answer to important questions and asks, "Can I get back to you later?", later never comes. She doesn't tell me my teaching schedule, she doesn't tell me how many students for each lesson, she doesn't make the right number of photocopies, but she's in my face with messages from wifey about how my salary is to be deducted for taking a day's sick leave without a sick note, and about "so-called" parents complained about this and that.

Wifey (with her degree in psychology and economics from a Canadian uni.) has been freeking me out, she takes books that I need to use during lessons and doesn't return them on time, then I get a lashing when THE PARENTS complain that we've jumped from book one to book two (having skipped 6 units).

How did I get into this fiefdom.

Berlitz has to be better than this.

Mark-O · Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:22 pm Post subject:

Interesting...

mcNug · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 83 Location: HK

Egads! Everytime I read about "wifey" I go berserk! Just quit! Anyplace is better than that hellhole. And please give us the name of this place!

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

McNug, it's not my intention to upset you so instead of using the word "wifey" I'll use Vanessa. I've also taken your advice and I'm going to leave the fiefdom soon.

How does Berlitz compare to Wall Street Institute as a place to work HK for a foreigner?

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

If you want to meet for a beer in HK, let me know. We could talk about your problem, you could vent, and we could get drunk.

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

Dear Once Again,

Is this your proposed method of counselling the distressed? The therapy of alcohol. If it would be effective in helping me to find a job then I'll try it! Perhaps the therapy of fresh air and sun would be better?

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

How about a beer in the sun and fresh air then?

mcNug · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 83 Location: HK

I don't mind the usage of the word "wifey", I just think she sounds awful! I'm angry at the injustice of it all!

If I were the superhero of ESL teachers, I'd be paying "wifey" a visit!