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coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Back to the question of increased TEFL numbers. When I originally said that I had a list of Novosibirsk schools, takers were rare. Now, I'm getting a few people every month thinking of moving out to Siberia. (I'm in western Russia now, but still miss Siberia quite a lot.)

teacheratlarge · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 192 Location: Japan

Japan still seems to be getting more people, though JET numbers have declined. Mostly Americans, but also British, Australians (so perhaps the economy in Oz is not that great for everyone), and New Zealanders keep arriving. The number of entry level ads has really declined though, with many jobs now being advertised as volunteer posts with little or no pay. Some jobs in more rural areas keep popping up, so perhaps there are openings for people who don't mind living in the countryside.

As to better paying university and international school jobs, it is a mixed market. Certain pockets of unis have plenty of work, and some unis are desperate for teachers for certain time slots. The better paying jobs though, especially tenured full or semi-full time posts, are really difficult to find.

International schools have had their student enrollments severely drop, with many of these schools struggling to keep their doors open after the Lehman (Brothers, Inc.) shock and its guaranteed departure of many financial types and their families. Then the Fukushima 'incident' rolled in, and more foreign companies called their people back home, so I don't think these types of teaching positions will be increasing any time soon. Some of the school are adjusting by taking on more Korean and Japanese students, but they are also cutting the pay packages for incoming new teachers as well, and in many cases trying to cut the pay packages for existing teachers or simply forcing the teachers to quit by overloading them with extra non-teaching duties.

On the East European front, in Russia anyway, I think the increase in teachers to Russia will always be small, simply because to go by the news, with so many Russians not wanting to work/stay there, why would a foreign teacher want to do so?

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/14/world/la-fg-russia-emigration-20111115

http://www.economist.com/node/21528596

That and the value of the currency against other curriences and more difficulties with securing proper visa paperwork is hardly going to cause a stampede of people to want to be teachers there (similar to the situation in Korea).

Though I suppose some of the people leaving their 'false democracy' may add to a short term upturn in student numbers with people wanting/wanting to improve their English skills before their departure.

Also on the plus side, we have some Russian students here in Japan, but they are generally planning to go into teaching Japanese/Japanese literature/Asian studies with a focus on Japan, so they will hardly compete with the few native speakers coming to Russia to work in the TEFL industry.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:56 am Post subject:

Have you any experience of working or living in Russia, Teacheratlarge?

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

TeacheratLarge said

teacheratlarge · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 192 Location: Japan

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

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

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Fair comment, Spiral. Sure, there are people of both persuasions ('inners' and 'outers').

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 8:13 am Post subject:

Teacheratlargeways, when were you here? 17 years ago? And were you working, or just passing through an airport en route to Japan?

In any case, here's a quotation from your totally un-anti-Russian Economist article:

"Yet it is important to remember that Russians are not going to emigrate in their millions. The overwhelming majority will stay at home, discontented."

None of this will affect the already small numbers of teachers coming to work here.

HelloFromSeoul · Joined: 25 Jun 2012 Posts: 8

This is an interesting topic.

teacheratlarge · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 192 Location: Japan

But you have confirmed part of my thoughts exactly "the small number of teachers that will come here (Russia)"

No, I think even that number might be affected as the economy further implodes. Or of course, playing ostrich could be fun, yes?

When it comes to airports, I think Spiral has more experience with that. Last time in Russia was last year, recent enough for you?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:31 am Post subject:

Look back at page one and see what I wrote:

"Haven't noticed any significant changes in Moscow. But then the 'credit crunch' didn't hit here as hard as other places, and the visa barriers keep a lot of would-be TEFLers away."

It is the visa process, more than anything else, that puts people off coming here. That and the usual scare stories about foreign lands. So, any misguided ideas about Russians fleeing the land in droves and that having an effect on TEFL teacher numbers are not really relevant, to say it in the kindest manner possible.

Yes, I know you were in Russia last year, transferring in an airport. But you have not said directly whether or not you have worked here at any time. Your comments on Russia and prospects for TEFLers here would have more weight if they were based on real experience and not just media references.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:37 am Post subject:

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

teacheratlarge: