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LISMA Language School

Is this your company?

Only if you are desparate - ESL Instructor LISMA Language School Employee Review

1.0
19 Aug 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The only positive thing that I can say is that they were never late with my pay. There are a lot of shady things going on here, but they never paid me late. If you really need a job, they will pay you. Other than that, you can do a lot better than this place.

Cons

Too many to list. While I can't know what the intentions of the owners are, the operations of the school are indistinguishable from a "visa mill". Many students are unmotivated and disrespectful. The academic standards are virtually nonexistent. Every corner is cut at the expense of the teachers. Due to this, turnover is high. Seemingly, the teachers only exist to keep accreditation. There is very little education happening. One typical example is that if a teacher is sick, or suddenly quits (which is common), two classes of different levels will be combined without warning, instead of hiring a substitute. The teacher who is sick isn't paid and the teacher who has to deal with two classes of different levels doesn't get any extra compensation. During my interview, I was told that I would be up for a raise after one term. After one term, I was told that it was actually one year. After one year they pushed it back again. Obviously they were never planning to offer me any more money. Other teachers told me that they had the same experience. Seriously, you can do better than this place.

Explore other reviews about LISMA Language School

5.0
13 Sept 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great place to get experience

Cons

Money could be much more

2.0
4 Jul 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Students of all ages and backgrounds from all around the world makes for a rewarding teaching experience. They pay above market rate for teachers.

Cons

The management in the NYC location is truly disrespectful of its admin staff, teachers, and even its students. Violating contractual agreements (that they created and force teachers to sign) is the norm. As someone who isn't part of the family that owns/operates the business, you cannot expect stable employment here. Though the agreement is to confirm renewal or non-renewal of contracts at least two weeks before the end of a semester, this is never (seriously: NEVER) the case and the management is hard-pressed to confirm or deny your position even a week, and up to days, before the end of your agreed term. It's a very dishonest and abusive way to operate a school. Moreover, the management consistently lies about the incoming number of students to keep teachers "motivated" until the last day of the semester, only to reveal that actual numbers of available classes and students is non-existent. This occurred with me every single semester over the course of two years. It's stressful and absolutely unnecessary. On another note, the parent company of the NYC branch has been frequently postponing paying advisers commissions and has, in the past, delayed paychecks for administrative staff. Dept. of Labor needs to investigate ASAP.

3
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