Job Discussion Forums

[s0436]

I have a few degrees, no teaching experience and currently in a bad cross-roads between graduating and finding a grad career, is Berlitz a good idea for me to get some experience, see the world a bit and then come back home and try for something else? I would perhaps like to do it for 6months-1year, if I do enjoy it I could then look into more teaching roles and gain a CELTA etc...

[spiral78]

Berlitz uses a very specific method for teaching which doesn't necessarily transfer well to other approaches, such as those taught on a CELTA. However, it can be a relatively secure start for a nervous newb, and at least you'd have some idea of students and their needs.

[s0436]

Yeah, I'm just looking for a bit of security, something not too intense, something to gain from in terms of experience etc

[Glenski]

JET Programme is probably safer, but the application process takes a long time. www.jetprogramme.com

Just what sort of "experience" are you looking to gain? With JET, you would be placed in mainstream Japanese high schools or junior high schools, usually in a rural area.

[Lunkey]

probably depends on where you are looking to teach? a friend of mine told me about berlitz because a friend of hers did the program in Brazil and enjoyed it, but when i was researching specifically berlitz in Chile I was told that the hours are nightmarish and the pay is crap. (and based on a conversation i had with Ricardo in Berlitz Santiago, that certainly doesn't seem too far fetched....) and as spiral78 said they make you get certified in their own program (which you don't get paid for the training) and you cannot apply the berlitz method to other courses

[spiral78]

I think most Berlitz centres are franchises, and local management obviously has a lot of influence on the working culture in each centre. The one in Prague has a decent rep in terms of work hours and reliability of pay (though they pay on the low end of the scale).

So, some are probably ok to work for and some not...

But I think in many regions, when you finish with Berlitz and want to move on to other teaching jobs, you'd need more training. As mentioned already, the Berlitz method isn't widely accepted by other schools.

[naturegirl321]

It might be good for you if you only want to get your feet wet. They have everything prepared for you, so no lesson planning.

[Chancellor]

[s0436]