Job Discussion Forums

Clear the Air · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

After having worked for a couple different independent language schools in Mexico for the past year, I have been looking into Berlitz. I know that Berlitz is not an ideal place and that their methodology is old and dry, like that of most huge companies. But I have been considering how best to go the promotional route in ESL/EFL. I can`t say that I`ll be in Mexico for years and years to come, so going with an international chain makes sense for me. Anyone have any experience climbing the ladder at Berlitz?

My main question is this... Berlitz advertises that if you work for them for one year, you can then apply to transfer to any Berlitz in the world. Now I`m sure that it`s a slow process, but can anyone verify this? And what`s the different between working for a franchise vs. a cooperate Berlitz for that year? Can you just as easily transfer after spending a year at a Franchise? Can you just as easily climb the international ladder?

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Hi,

I don't know anything more about Berlitz than you mentioned, but if you want to go franchise, why not try International House? The jobs in DF sound a little hard, lots of unpaid travel and so on, but then after a year you can get access to their transfer list and have first choice at jobs all around the world before the general teaching public.

Cheers,
Lozwich.

melirae · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Korea

I worked for ELS Language Centers, which is now owned by Berlitz, here in the USA and they have the same policy, although going form USA to other countries you have to put in two years of service. The good thing about ELS is that they have better benefits than Berlitz (as far as vacation, etc.). They have franchises in Mexico, so it might be worth checking them out as well.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

English First is another you might look into...

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Does English First actually run classes in Mexico? I thought their main activity was to organise study tours in English speaking countries.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I haven't checked in a long time, but they were running classes in Mexico City at least as late as 2003, somewhere in Zona Rosa.

Clear the Air · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

Any particular reason that everyone is mentioning these places? Are they better than Berlitz is some objective way? Or are you just throwing out other ideas for international chains (which is also good and I appreciate)?

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Things change all the time, especially in Mexico. You would stand a better chance of getting an up-to-date and accurate picture by contacting the Berlitz office with this question. Perhaps talk to someone currently working in a couple of the Berlitz outlets and then assess the situation. Let us know what you find out.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Clear the Air · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

Does anyone have experience with IH? Berlitz also claims to use the communicative approach. I imagine that quality of the schools depends on the particular school, and that Berlitz, IH, Wall street, etc. are more or less the same?

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

I worked for IH for a year in Spain. They are British Council accredited, which means that the British Council comes every few years and checks everything. The IH administration also comes frequently to make sure everything is up to scratch.

I haven't worked for IH in Mexico, but I hear that working at IH Mexico City can be a bit tough because you have to travel a lot to clients' offices. I had my initial IH recruitment interview there, and it seemed like a nice place to work, but I think a lot of the senior staff have changed now.

As I understand it, Wall Street uses a lot of computer training. Some of my students are ex-Wall Street and they say that they know the grammar inside out, but can't speak. And my ex-Berlitz students can speak up a storm, but don't have any concept of grammar structures. I believe that at IH students get more of a mixture of all the skills, as the methodology sticks more closely to what teachers get taught to do on courses like the CELTA.

Never thought I'd find myself in defense of IH! Laughing

Cheers,
Lozwich.