Job Discussion Forums

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

1) If I come and secure a typical 10 to 20hr teaching job with a school, will I be able to live comfortably?

Our school pays closer to $17/academic hour for native speakers. If you work 20 hours/week, that's $340 (about 10,000rubles). It's enough to live all right, depending on the style of housing you want (rents here start at about 15,000).

2) If I have a Bachelor's and some English teaching experience already, will I be able to find decent work, or would additional training such as TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA be necessary/recommended?

It would be highly recommended to get a certificate, as a teaching certificate can make it easier for schools to get you a work permit. The #1 issue with working in Russia is the work visa/permit situation. All the other stuff (salaries, hours, etc) can be ironed out easy enough.

3) Finally, would it be advisable to arrange a position at a school before I come, or should I just show up on a tourist visa and search for work?

You could do the latter, but I would strongly recommend the former. Most of the work you will find in Vlad "on the ground" will be short-term, as most English schools here won't be able to get you a work visa. In addition, it's an expensive place to set up shop yourself, as rents are high (and it's time-consuming and expensive to even find a flat); now, if you know someone here that you can stay with or will find you a flat, that might work.

Best of luck!

jcbraga · Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks a lot for the quick reply! It's much appreciated.

Another quick question: is there a training programme that's preferable? I remember hearing that CELTA is better for teaching in Russia, or do they not
differentiate?

Cheers!

Peter

mookieblaylock · Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

Interesting thread.. well done to JP Wink

jcbraga · Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

Hello!

I have recently finished the CELTA, I have a BA, I speak alright Russian, and I've taught over a year of English to all levels with six months in St. Pete's.

I plan to arrive in Vlad around the end of March, but can come whenever.

Does anyone know of any reliable schools looking for an English teacher?

Cheers!

jc

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

jcbraga,

Please check your PM.

Bannik · Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 5

Howdy.

I have a degree in Russian Studies, a CELTA, three years of Russian language classes (which I could dust off without too much trouble, since that only ended 18 months ago), and am currently working in Taiwan as an English teacher.

My question is basically the same as jcbraga's: does anyone know if an on-the-level ESL firm in Vladivostok is hiring?

--Bannik

Mlakes · Joined: 11 Apr 2012 Posts: 1

Well, it seems like a popular question, but I need to ask it too:

I have an M.A. in Slavic studies, speak Russian tolerably well, have a CELTA and about a year and a half of teaching experience in St. Pete under my belt (including exam classes, level testing, and children's camps). Any hope of finding something in Vladivostok this fall? I sort of have my heart set on it, but can't seem to find many schools with an internet presence...

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Native speakers with interest in Vladivostok should PM me ASAP.
Best,
JP

March Hare · Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 21 Location: S. Korea

Does anyone know anything about availability, conditions and salary of university jobs in Vladivostok? Also, I keep hearing about this new place--Far Eastern Federal University. Any info on that?

mookieblaylock · Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

Not quite Vlad, but we have a position going 'up the road' in Khabarovsk. Pay and conditions are about the same as JP suggested but we probably have more available hours than there seems to be in Vlad.

The reason is that after 2 and a half years in Khabarovsk, I gotta leave. Home is calling.

Good team of people, English (only) spoken in the school.

PM me for details.

ps. KHV is similar to Vlad.. but it has a more interesting cultural life, the city is more liveable than Vlad because the traffic is not so bad but if you are after nightlife and parties, Vlad would be more interesting...

mookieblaylock · Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

ps. How are you getting on, J?

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Hey there mookieblaylock.
I'm in NYC running an ESL program on the campus of a college.
Back to Ireland, eh? Smile