Job Discussion Forums

lucifer911 · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 58

Hi all,

I am making the plunge this year to get to Russia. I have been researching the country thoroughly and have been attempting to learn russian in Australia to help the transition.

I have a TESOL qualification with business english and english for children. I have completed 1/2 of a university degree but I have stopped uni studies for financial reasons, time constraints, and likelihood of a degree not even having a worthwhile return on investment.

I am 31 years old and have previously worked in a private school with young children so I think this will help a little. I am, however, new to teaching english itself but I am confident in my ability to teach.

My dilemma is whether Moscow or a major city outside Moscow is suitable for a first time ESL teacher. As much as I want to work in Moscow the accomodation I will be provided with does not sound appealing. The high cost of living means all ESL teachers will be sharing with another teacher and I am not sure whether these are empty flats or furnished flats.

I have previously lived in shared accomodation with 2 chinese students but there was a strict screening process involved. Is Moscow a better idea than a city in Siberia? I know there are more jobs but this is offset by high cost of living and rent in Moscow. Smaller cities mean single bedroom apartments are more of a possibility but availability of jobs is limited.

I have looked at St Petersburg too but the cost of living there isn't much cheaper than Moscow and has fewer jobs. Would a city like Yekaterinburg be a better choice if I wanted to have my own flat instead of shared?

I guess it would also be far more important for me to grasp the russian language if I lived in a smaller russian city than Moscow.

Anyone have any thoughts and links to point me in the right direction? private schools, universities, mcschools (Language Link, English First, BKC)

Also if anyone has anyone specific schools or cities I should not work at please feel free.

Thanks all,

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I am guessing that you have an online TEFL cert. If so, this may negatively impact your prospects, especially given that you do not have a degree.

lucifer911 · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 58

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The cost of a course is not the important factor; it's the number of hours in a classroom, teaching actual students, with feedback on how you've done. You'll need to highlight this on your CV.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Without knowing which kind of course you took-unless it was at least the 4 week one with attendance at a centre throughout-it may not be accepted at many schools in Russia. It is a daunting place for anyone to go for a first teaching job anyway and there are many pitfalls which you can read about by browsing through the many postings on this section of the site from various contributors including myself.
As for the question of which town, you would most likely get a private appartment to yourself outside Moscow but not always.....in the city they make teachers share because rents are so high but yes, they are usually always furnished, although style and quality often leave a lot to be desired!
Have you ever been to Russia before and do you have even a basic knowledge of the language? These are all factors which should influence your choice of which town. I would honestly suggest some more careful research before you make a decision to go and also question your motives?The accommodation is only one of many important aspects which you need to consider.Hope this is of use.

lucifer911 · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 58

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Yes, 20 hours is unlikely to impress potential employers in this case.
It might be one option to take a CELTA in Moscow; useful bridge into country/culture/job market.

lucifer911 · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 58

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sure. You will want to talk to the course provider about how not having a degree may impact your desirability with employers in the region. Also consider timing, so that you would finish the course in time to be involved in peak hiring season (not the dead zones of May/June/July/August for sure!).

Brunouno · Joined: 18 Apr 2013 Posts: 129

lucifer911 · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 58

I thought about this issue.. this clarifies everything and is a big help thank you. In an ideal world I would fly to Russia for a holiday and get on the trans siberian train then stay in Siberia followed by several nights in Moscow / St Petersburg then back to Moscow to start the Celta course. Obviously a trip like that would cost close to 10 grand AUD lol and I would still need to obtain the work visa before applying for jobs.

Also I have decided to get my bachelors degree first to make myself more qualified for the job and to save the stress of visa issues. Unless I was really fluent in russian and had a lot of contacts I would not try working in Russia without a degree or respectable TEFL cert.

I have noticed the CELTA course fees are not the same in each country. In Moscow they are charging 1100 GDP for the CELTA itself (about $2000 AUD). In Australia they charge $3200 for the 4 week CELTA course.. if I were to stay in Moscow and do the CELTA course the price of accomodation would make it much more expensive than doing the course in Australia.

I am curious with the Phuket idea but I wonder will employers look down on the CELTA course completed in Phuket rather than Australia? I ask this because the prices are not universal for the Celta course. There was a similar question asked by someone working in Beijing about completing CELTA course in Beijing instead of completing it in Europe.

Moscow is a hectic city and I am more curious in a smaller city maybe St Petersburg or a few others Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok etc.