Job Discussion Forums

[eslgal]

To summarize my experience at Surgut School of Foreign Languages...I want to stress first that I loved Russia, I loved the Russians and I loved the people I worked with. I really felt that I was ushered into a type of family while I was away from home and that is really important to me.

As for the school administration - BEWARE.
The President is a foreigner from England who doesn't want to be working there. He is getting an education in another field and isn't even at the school half the time. He has a poor reputation in his personal and professional life. It is hard to respect someone of his calibre.

The school is run by the DOS since the President is rarely there or capable of handling problems. She tells him what to address and what not to. If you stay on her good side you are safe. If you aren't on her good side, watch your back. She will find new and unusual ways to punish you and make your life miserable, mostly using the tool of the Head Teacher. The DOS cannot ask you to do anything directly or politely but will either publically yell at you or try to manipulate you into doing as she wishes.

I cannot say whether they will rehire the same head teacher for foreigners or not, but there was rumour that they would. I feel a bit of social responsibilty to warn others to be careful. She is also a foreigner and not a native speaker with poor pronunciation and intonation in her speaking skills. Watch your back.

The head teacher's most common response to any question or request for help is, "I don't know. Ask (fill the blank here)." I got the impression that she didn't know anything that was going on. She has the empathy level of a one-celled evolutionary creature and will not help you in the process either for teaching or adjusting to the environment. Three people lived with her and three people ended up leaving rather than having to continue on living with her. There were major life issues that came up in regards to cohabitating with her. Why would a head teacher be sharing an apartment with others? It seems unprofessional to me. Especially if there are issues between every single member of the foreign teaching staff/the majority of the locals and the head teacher.

It seemed a problem for her to do basic tasks in her job description. She only got the schedule for rides correct about 25% of the time. Some people were never informed of meetings or holidays. It was just overall incompetency.

The main issues that arose during the contract:

1. The amount of money promised was not delivered.
2. There were no support meetings of any kind. The only meetings that happened where when the DOS demanded that the President deal with certain issues which involved the foreign teachers getting chewed out for some small issue.
3. There was no internet given to us in our apartments as had been promised. Internet was finally provided at the main branch but the computers slowly disappeared one by one until there were two left for about 20 staff members.
4. I was sent a different contract than I actually signed.
5. There was no medical attention for someone with a serious medical issue.
6. There was no teaching support from the head teacher due to her lack of experience as a head teacher and her teaching skills.
7. When a genuine problem arose and you asked for help or support from the administration you were treated like a criminal rather than someone who was used to working in a team environment.
8. The President would fire people and then kick them out of their apartments with 24 hour notice. When someone resigned the President wanted them out immediately.
9. The school is run on a "rat" type environment. You are expected to tattle tale on your co-workers and vise versa.

Overall, if you take out the administration I loved my job and the students. I loved Russia. Just be aware of what you are signing up for.

[surgutsfl]

I would normally not bother replying to such puerile, spiteful and pitiful drivel as that which has come from some of the staff who I have been forced to let go, but as the saying goes, a lie unanswered becomes the truth.

Unlike those who would hide behind mummy�s skirt, I clearly would like to state I am Tim Glare, President of Surgut School of Foreign Languages. Our school is one which is well respected and has a long serving and experienced staff, from our teachers, administrators and accountants, to cleaners, cooks (from our own on-site caf�), and security staff. However, as I am sure every EFL director can sympathize with me on, native-speaker teacher recruitment is a minefield, where a large number of people reside who have various issues, be it emotional problems, immature attitude to work, etc. This result inevitably in the hiring of staff from time to time that is of a sub-standard quality, one might say. It is quite often the case even that someone can be ca competent teacher but their �issues� interfere with their work to such an extent that the employer is forced to let them go, as I�ve had to do on a number of occasions. What is sad is when, as is the case here, certain insecure individuals write lies and nastiness due to what they perceive as an affront to their egos by being told their services are no longer required.

I have to be honest and say I was rather disappointed to see the low and untrue comments written (especially as these people have omitted to say that they were in fact fired!) in an attempt to negatively prejudice the opinion of the wider EFL public.

My contact details are available on our recruitment advert, I am quite happy to answer any questions pertaining to our schools, and I am sure our current native speaker staff would be pleased to respond also.

Tim Glare,
Surgut School of Foreign Languages

[braita]

Who isn't being honest now? Out of 9 foreign teachers, only 2 were "fired." (I don't really think you can count someone as truly fired if they are "fired" after they have already given notice.) 4 were run off by Tim Glare's, Raquel Galleano's, and the DOS's unprofessional behavior. 2 remained because of financial reasons. 1 remained because she really enjoys the city and was able to get teaching work elsewhere in Surgut.

Teachers thinking of going to Surgut can contact Tim Glare, however 85% of what he tells you will be a lie. If you are interested in working in Surgut, I recommend contacting EuroLang. They are located inside the Surgut Branch of Tyumen University.

Tel: +7(3462)24-95-28
eMail: [email protected]

There are also a lot of other options in Surgut, as well as in other cities in western Siberia.

[rogan]

eslgal.

One thing puzzles me "The President is a foreigner from England"

Can you explain that?

[eslgal]

"President" is the appointed title for the position he holds in the school. He is really more of a director, however, I would say more of a part-time director. I can't comment on the situation this semester although he was rarely at the school when I was there. He spends a great deal of time at the construction company that is also owned by the owner.

He was originally from England and had taken the position of director ("President") after the Russian woman running the place was moved to a different position after poor management.

[the dakota kid]

Leopards can't change their spots, but I have seen good schools go bad and vice-versa.

Anyone have an update?

[ancient_dweller]

good stinky banter Tim Glare