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l_ornithorynque
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 5
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:36 pm Post subject: DO NOT WORK FOR LTC Language Training Centre KAZAKHSTAN |
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DO NOT WORK FOR LTC Language Training Centre KAZAKHSTAN
There are already some examples of feedback on the net from previous staff- ( https://ltcastana.wordpress.com/ ) but it is, however, very much worth some additional emphasis as LTC have recently advertised teacher vacancies for their summer camp.
In short: LTC are a corrupt company who used to offer pretty decent salaries in dollars ($2000/month). In the months approaching the summer camp last year (2016) the director of the company suddenly realized that, due to holidays, there were going to be very few students at the centre.
At the last minute he decided to announce a very bodgily-organized “Summer Camp” programme to mitigate his losses – at the same time firing several members of staff – four foreign teachers, several local office staff, and several local teachers – all at once. The teachers who remained on staff saw their weekly contact hours increase in some instances from 35 to 60+ and had no recourse other than to wear it due to a variety of circumstances, in some instances their backlog of wages was not to be sniffed at, and for others, their lives in Kazakhstan meant more to them than risking the boss cancel their visa –which he threatened to do with impunity.
Since then, two lawsuits were brought before the Kazakh courts by foreign teachers, and the local employer was found to be at fault in both cases. He was ordered to pay fines, sold his car, moved house, and with any luck this will have alerted the authorities (although a worthy side note here is that his father, a major investor in the company, has very high connexions with people who have been able to maintain their power since from before the regime change).
Add to this instances of sexual harassment, threats to personal safety, threats of arrest and blackmail that have been experienced by foreign teachers who have worked with LTC – and then do the math. A decrease in salary from $2000 to $700 over the course of less than a year adds weight to the warning. They also closed one of their branches. Furthermore, ten hour days from Monday through Friday is indicative of a 50 hour working week. LTC claim a two-hour lunch period each day which begs the question of when prep activities are to occur. The short answer is that there will be no lunch. Full stop.
They look for teachers aged between 20 and 25, and this is for good reason. The less experienced the teacher, the easier it is to make last-minute adjustments to contracts that restrict teachers’ freedom of movement, end of month salary, and more.
If you are new to teaching and are looking to get your foot in the door, please be warned. LTC play hard ball.
If this position appeals to you due to an interest in the Central Asian region, forget it – you will not have time to see it. You might think on doing voluntary work in the region instead as many would compare quite favourably to $700/month for a fifty hour working week.
Please be warned. |
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Partizan
Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Posts: 61
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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The gong shows keep coming. |
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Spasibo
Joined: 02 Dec 2015 Posts: 31
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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geez... |
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Spasibo
Joined: 02 Dec 2015 Posts: 31
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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what is the name of the director? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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Spasibo wrote: |
what is the name of the director? |
Best to get that info via a PM rather than the OP publicly posting it here. |
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kazpat
Joined: 04 Jul 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Kazakhstan
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 2:34 am Post subject: |
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The job posting says that a degree is optional for this position. A degree (in order to get a work permit) is required in KZ and one should never even consider working illegally here. |
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maqueen
Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 28
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:12 am Post subject: Central Asia is a lost cause. |
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It doesn't matter whether it is RU, KZ, UZ, etc. All of these countries have been hit by rounds of currency devaluations, which make it nearly impossible to have social arbitrage opportunities i.e. high standard of living compared to western country of origin, low contact hours and banking a high percentage of salary.
The teacher gets squeezed.
This means working an increasingly higher number of contact hours for even less money under degrading conditions. If you're the type who likes to polish turds, sit around and sing REM's 'Shiny Happy People' and in it for the 'experiences' it is up your alley.
But, don't say you haven't been warned and any promises/contracts aren't worth as much as plush triple-ply toilet paper!... |
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09Turner
Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Posts: 11
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2017 9:42 am Post subject: |
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How's the private tutoring scene? |
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