Job Discussion Forums

[moosechick]

well hello there, I could do with a bit of help. Im looking at 2 job offers, 1 from language link and 1 from BKC-ih. Ive got 6 months of teaching in Africa and a CELTA. From what I've read BKC seems to be and language link . Any thourghts?

[Communist Smurf]

Actually I would say BKC is a and Language Link is a . Or was it the other way around?

[Nexus]

Smurf's right, BKC can be a little

I think a lot of people here have worked for one or the other (or know people who have). It would be good to here from s.o. who's worked at both who can give a really good comparison.

[moosechick]

in that case "hello, hello where are all you knowledgeable people?"

[waxwing]

Isn't LL a franchise system, like my organisation (English First)? If so, your experience could be drastically different in different branches, since they're run by different people.

Where, exactly, have you read that LL is and BKC is ? Where will these 2 jobs be based?

I can't answer the questions, but it might encourage people to answer if you give more details.

[Phillip Donnelly]

As DOS for BKC, I suppose I should condemn Language Link and praise BKC-IH. However, the truth of the matter is that I've never worked for Language Link, so I can't really compare them.
However, after a little digging around, we've found this article from a couple of years ago comparing BKC-IH to other schools. It was written by Guy Edwards.
A shorter summary was offered by a certain 'Grundie'. It reads as follows-

"I'm aware of your conditions and I know about your teacher retention rate
and I actually consider you as the best 'school' in Moscow, especially since you
> started to offer a multiple entry visa.
> As the first to do so you deserve praise. Language Link, on the other
hand,
> with their policy of offering entry only visas should be blacklisted.
>
> What does concern me however is the fact that you did (and maybe still do)
have
> a policy of offering different salaries to different people for the same
work.
> When you repeatedly quote 'competitive salaries' in your adverts shouldn't
you
> also quote what the salary is?
>
> regards,
>
> grundie

(Answer to above question is between 550 and 675, depending on qualifications and experience. Plus free accomodation, visa support etc)




(And now the article by Guy Edwards)

To compare BKC International House Moscow to other language schools in Moscow and the region we can look at the facilities that the schools offer, the remuneration available and support given by these organizations. Firstly the availability of contact with home through the internet is severely curtailed in terms of the number of computers available to teachers with many other schools having two computers at their central offices and BKC IH having between eight and ten. BKC IH teaching team is very strong within central Moscow, and are available for consultation to help with teaching queries and the recruitment department is there for non academic support concerning visas, housing etc. The standby hours are less at BKC IH in terms of real hours as it is only one standby per week of between 1hour 30 mins to 2 hours 15 mins. Within BKC IH you can choose to do summer camps if you wish or other work can be found for you whereas in other schools it is part of the contractual obligations. BKC IH teachers are given the option of living with another (or other) teachers or alone as they wish; this is not clear in contracts of other schools, they also state that you could be living in a hostel or dormitory which BKC IH never does. At the end of your contract more time is given by BKC IH to vacate the place where you live, so that you have the ability to your last minute sight seeing and shopping. BKC IH pays for the AIDS test that not all the schools do. The illness payment is half your salary per day at BKC IH . The holiday system is much more rigid at many language schools with set periods where holidays are to be taken however at BKC IH as long as a month�s notice is given a holiday can be accepted. The airfare compensation in many schools is less than that given at BKC IH or no subsidy at all. You can be transferred from your promised placement as part of many schools� contract. These are only some of the major differences between BKC IH and other Language Schools in Moscow and I hope that any questions concerning these will be directed to the proper sources.

[waxwing]

I think the ME visa thing is a very good idea. However, major caveat: if you're talking about the 1 year ME business visa, then the legality of your position would have to be clarified... well, I don't know the details.

As to 550 to 675, it's, I guess, just about acceptable, but you should note I'm getting effectively the top end of that scale + my own flat (no share), in a cheaper location - and I'm in my first year. In Moscow that's really a poor salary.

Now I'm going to be rather mean and attack this 'Guy' fellow. It just looks like those awful adverts 'you won't find better anywhere else!' Yeah right.