Working as a teacher at a language school

Hi folks - got 3 interviews coming up in the next few days with various different language schools, Inlingua, Wall St, and Berlitz, just wondering if any of the TT posters have any expierience of working for any of these guys and if so what did they think, was a good/bad expierience, were you treated well, did they train you well enough, just curious in case I have to make a choice on one or another

I've done a lot of work for Berlitz. a draw back is you have to do the training, which usually takes between 5 to 7 full days, unpaid. they also pay less than most schools. the upside is that there is usually a lot of work, and you can simply say 'take me off the schedule for the next 3 weeks'. you do have to be a bit... um... clandestine about working for other schools.

I haven't had a bad experience with Inlingua, but others have.

no info on wall street.

These are all schools that expect you to work using their materials, so there is less preparation for you to do but also less scope for creativity and possibly more work keeping the class motivated if the material isn't quite what they want to be doing. None of them are good in terms of what they pay you, Wall Street will probably pay more than the other two and may also offer you a contract with a guaranteed no of hours which can entitle you to holiday pay and sick pay. They also put in their contracts a clause about not working for other schools.

Ask them what courses they are looking to cover, whether they have work throughout the day or expect you to work mostly evenings. Also ask if they are offering classes at different levels. It can get very repetitive using their materials if you are always teaching from the same book at the same level.

Are they for FFM by any chance? I'm about to start at Berlitz in FFM.

Actually I work for Berlitz and we are having to get a little creative with the Materials. Granted we use what is in the materials but for activities and such we can create our own things...

For the OP, I can't really complain much about Berlitz. I have enough work (though I don't have to support myself solely). Of course if you don't have a TEFL or chances for another job here in DE, it isn't a bad job. It also lets you meet other English speakers in your area. For me this is important as there are not many foreigners in my area.

A question about teaching english in Germany; How well are you expected to know German and do you need College teaching credentials to do it?

Working for peanuts like the 3 schools mentioned, your lack of German probably wouldn't be an issue. College teaching credentials aren't necessary, but teaching credentials of some sort (TEFL, CELTA, etc) would be good. Again, for these 3 schools, it may not be an issue, but I wouldn't necessary count on it.

Take whatever training you can get, you're going to need it if your post is anything to go by.

LOL Gari.

For Berlitz you don't need to know German. The only credentials you need are to be reasonably educated.

Here is a very cynical view - I've taught English both freelance and for a "School"
with prestigious German Banks for clients.
The money is rubbish, the competition endless and outfits like
B****tz make massive profits out of naive Native Speakers.
The local free newspaper (Hamburg) offers Muttersprachler tuition
at EUR 10 per hour - an absolute joke.
Hardly better than cleaning hotel rooms.

I teach for one of these schools. I will say that I have more calls for work than I can do. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned the pay is not good. Luckily, my pay is only extra icing in our household (wife makes the money). What I will tell you is work for Berlitz and then work for some of the "other" schools, not on this short list. From what I know, once you have Berlitz training and experience, most will hire you for more money.

Basically, I'd start somewhere and get experience and then fill in the blanks with work at other places. Works for me. I'm busy 5 days a week.