Job Discussion Forums

[jamo22]

I have been in contact with a guy called Asli Cam at berlitz istanbul, and he wants to do an interview.

I dont know much about teaching in turkey or berlitz, but I remember about 6 months ago reading some comments on this site about berlitz instanbul, and they were basically saying that under no circumstances should you work for them.

Does anyone have any info on them? maybe the situation has changed...?

thanks

[hHold]

Hi,

I've just received a similar email. Have you spoken to the recruiter? How did it go?

hH

[billy orr]

You might like to know that Aslı is a woman's name.

[Sashadroogie]

From what I know from my friends still working in Istanbul, the deal is the same. And so should your response: 10-foot barge-pole, as in, do not touch with.

Go through the interview if you like. Phone interview, right? nothing to lose. Ask about the cost of the mandatory training (video training, that is) and how much of it you'd be liable for if things don't work out. Ask about the sum they'll try to claw back from you in international courts should you terminate the contract. It was in the region of $5,000 to $10,000 when I spoke to them, though admittedly that was years ago.

Still, very slick sales routine. Impressive. But don't be fooled.

[spiral78]

I don't know about the details of this particular Berlitz, but the major problem with them is that they use (exclusively) their own time-worn, widely discredited method (google 'audiolingualism' if you're interested).

It's got some upsides: zero prep, very little responsibility other than to turn up looking professional and make sure you're on the correct page.

A major downside is that experience at Berlitz won't help you at any other kind of school. Their methods are widely discouraged and unwanted by almost every other school, as they don't reflect what considerable research over the past 50 years says is effective langauge learning.

My personal take on Berlitz from a student persepective is that it may help to get a raw beginner going.

For teachers - Berlitz is known in some locations to hire people who flunked out of CELTA and equivalent courses. I don't know why anyone with actual training and experience would want to work for them - their pay is normally at the low end of the local standards everywhere, and, again experience at Berlitz doesn't enhance one's CV/resume, unless one wants a career with Berlitz

Companies like Berlitz (and keep giving them contracts to 'train' their employees) because they are a recognised name - no governmental tax agency is going to question payments to Berlitz - it's a solid company.

[Englishteach]

Berlitz Istanbul is a crappy place to work but you can use the opportunity to meet some nice students, get started in teaching EFL, and improve your teaching skills. I started teaching there many years ago and have been able to get a better teaching job and move on. The owner is a sly business man, don't trust him as far as you can throw him. The only good things about Berltiz, in my opinion, are the students. That is when I was there. Some of the teachers are ok too, but you will see a lot of unprofessional backpackers. Good luck

[Moonshadow_51]

One issue with this language center is that its student clientele frequently cancel classes and teachers are not paid for the hours planned to work.

Another is that the contract pays only for the hours worked during the first month, even if one has signed a full-time contract. What this means that the pay period ends at the end of the month, and paid in full on the following 15th. Teachers who work only a few hours during the first month, inevitably, run short on cash waiting for the work flow to pick up momentum.

The HR person interviewing is not a decision-maker, so if negotiation is requested, and if the interviewee (you) asks questions that receive a "We could always ask...", then you know that you have asked for something that will not be presented to management.

A last thought on this school has to do with its branch locations. The one in Taksim is the most popular, and the others - especially those on the Asian side - are not in the best areas to get to, nor are as well-prepped in terms of their facilities.

Good questions to ask ANY school are:

1. Do teachers get paid if the one-on-one class is cancelled?
2. Who pays for my transportation to the client's work site?
3. May I have the email address of a teacher who can answer my questions about accommodations?
4. What do you do with teachers during slow periods, when clients tend to drop off attendance for holidays (summer and December/January)?

BTW, Berlitz does now offer several days of live training in the Direct method it employs, but the teacher is not paid for that time.

[spiral78]

[Moonshadow_51]

Someone earlier mentioned sitting watching videos for training; that is history, which is why I mentioned the live training session.

[spiral78]

Glad to hear the videos are history: the Direct method is, too, in most places!!

[Sashadroogie]

[Moonshadow_51]

I don't know about the penalties nowadays. It would be a good topic for clarification at the interview.

There are some very good language schools in Istanbul, and the only problem is finding them.

I wish the OP a good interview with this group because it will give him or her an opportunity to practice up on asking the right questions when seeking a job.

[_smaug]

[spiral78]

I also incorporate a range of approaches and methods, and agree that the exclusive use of any one method is counter-productive.

However, Berlitz normally doesn't allow any deviation from DI - your other tools may not be welcome there.

[_smaug]