Job Discussion Forums

[Coolguy123]

Hi,

I'm interested in teaching in Russia - and I'd like to know the prospects of teaching without experience but with a TEFL cert (CELTA). I'm thinking that a job outside of main centers like Moscow or St. Petersburg might have the best opportunities.

I'm thinking of working at a McSchool - my main concern is getting a job that will give me the experience that I need and development to get started in the classroom - basically, since I'm just getting started.

I do have a year of experience in Japan, but it was quite some time ago, and I'll need to get used to things again and "remember" so to speak.

How long does it usually take to get a job from abroad? Do most of the schools pay airfare?

Additionally - how long does the visa take to process? I was told it can take a few months. I'm trying to determine a timeline for the application process.

Thanks and appreciate the info!

[spiral78]

[Coolguy123]

Yeah, that's kind of what I expected. Sounds like the work is a lot more difficult to get used to as well - makes me think that getting started again in a place like korea might be easier, but it does seem that teaching beginner classes can be a good way to learn grammar and such as you're teaching it, and more informative for the teacher.

[teacher X]

Oh my...I followed the link and saw Sasha list an exact description of me.
SHIT! Can I has an Lexi?

I worked in Japan/China/Germany before coming here, but I can't say that there's a huge difference. You're a monkey and you're paid to dance.
Horrible students are horrible. Kids are monsters. Teenagers don't want to be there. It doesn't matter what country you're in, students are students and you just need to try and adapt your approach to suit them on an individual level.

I was once told by a Japanese administrator, "you're not a teacher, you're a host and a babysitter" and I must say that this still applies even in Russia. My adult students don't really seem to have any interest in learning English, they just come to complain about how shit their lives are.
As in Asia, every parent here believes that their child is a candidate for mensa and can do no wrong. I would say that the expectations for a child's English development generally lower than Asia, but that's also due to the kids starting school at a much later age. I'd say that the kids here are intellectually and behaviorally a few years behind Chinese kids. Clearly this is because Chinese kids are thrown in to an educational system around the age of 3.

If you have experience with kids, you'll go far. Nobody wants to teach kids here in Moscow, but the schools are seeing a noticeable drop in adults and a large increase in kids.
I base this on the 2 schools I work for and my flatmate has told me that he's noticed the same thing in the 4 schools he works for.
So at least on the McSchool front, there's likely going to be an increased call for teachers who will work for kids.

As for schools providing airfare, you'll generally be reimbursed 50% of the costs and it will be a split payment (one after 3 months and one after 6 months in my case) Although now that you mention it, I don't think I was ever paid mine.

I would warn you that the McSchools here tend to just throw you into a class and expect you to land running. There's no induction or gradual introduction to classes, you'll just be given a dozen classes and told to sort your shit out. But hey, sink or swim.
Most teachers will help you out if you're having problems.

[Coolguy123]

Wow! Crazy - throw you in and figure it out huh? Sounds fun/exciting/a little worrying. Russian kids - I don't have enough imagination to think of what they would be like, but could be interesting. If the opportunity is there and if moscow is exciting enough.

Still - what's the visa process like? I'm having some trouble locating info on it. Does it really take 3 months?

[tuco]

Here are some examples of what Russian kids are like:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cIdJnZIpeZA

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lH3wlNJQjMk

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv0cwgLkE0w

OK, those are just flashbacks of perestroika-induced angst. But I do hope I don't end up like Yelena Sergeyevna...

[Sashadroogie]

[teacher X]

There are of course small differences which are reflections of their mother languages, but I never consider them to be massive.
You just deal with the fact that Japanese require more help with pronunciation of Rs and Ls and that Russians have issue with word order.

Here's an example of a kids class I picked up on Saturday.

One 11 year old girl kept jumping on me and tried to climb me several times. At the end of the lesson she shouted "TEACHER, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"
I replied with, "I'm sorry Natasha, but you are too young for me."
She laughed and shouted "THEN I WILL SHIT ON YOUR HEAD."

...and schools wonder why teachers don't want to teach kids.

[Sashadroogie]

Ho ho ho! Small differences indeed. You are too funny, comrade teacher X. Next you'll be telling us that Japanese and Russian social norms are virtually identical too! Hee hee!

[teacher X]

[Sashadroogie]

They don't have to always cause problems when teaching. But it is important to be aware of them in the classroom. For example, Russian students will not typically sit respectfully through a dull or otherwise ineffective lesson, whereas Japanese tend to do so. Generalization. Massive one. But something for the OP to be aware of. Not to be overlooked, by any means.

[S.Thornton]

I teach at English First. After reading some of these experiences, all I can say is: wtf? The age group I teach is 13-18. I work 5 days a week and they pay 68,500 rubles per month. This includes a flight allowance of 3,500 rubles per month. The only teaching experience I had before coming here was a year of being a writing tutor at university, and a term as a teaching assistant at a high school in the United States. I have a degree in English and I got an online TESOL certification to pad my CV.

I have had a great time teaching here thus far. I teach teens, some that do not want to be there, and others that genuinely want to improve their English. I don't really understand some of the comments about Russian students. I find my older students to be very well behaved, and they ask some difficult questions about grammar. They want to learn. Maybe I am just lucky, but I think teens are teens, pretty much anywhere you go. Yes it varies, depending on culture, however they are still teens. You have to have reasonable expectations going into any teaching position, and, more importantly, you must maintain a positive attitude if you want to survive.

I hope this helps. Feel free to message me with any other questions you might have.

[teacher X]

[Sashadroogie]

Urrrgghh! Teens five days a week and they only pay you a measly 70-odd k a month. I would certainly hope that accommodation is thrown in. In the Metropole, I should jolly well think.

[Coolguy123]