Job Discussion Forums

[ElizavetaPetrovna]

Does anyone have information on schools in Uzbekistan? I can't seem to find much on google...

Thanks.

[maruss]

With one of the worlds nastiest dictatorships and the majority of his population living in poverty,Karimovs country is about on par with somewhere like North Korea.Compared to him,even Putin is as democratic as people like Gordon Brown and Sarkozy!The only place where it might be possible to finding teaching work there as a foreigner would be a university,or you could consider contacting the British Council for advice.

[katyathegooner]

I worked at the University of Westminster in Tashkent last year. It was a worthwhile experience and I'd recommend it. It's run jointly by Uzbek and British management and I had no real problems. The university website is www.wiut.uz

Maruss is absolutely right about where to look for work and also right about the political situation there but that shouldn't stop you. It's a great place. Not Tashkent so much, but Bukhara and Samarkand, I will remember with great pleasure forever.

[overworkedandunderpaid]

Hi, I'm not able to PM yet, so I'd like to ask if more information could be provided about the University of Westminster. Their website doesn't seem to include any info about English language courses or programs. Does one need an MA to teach there, or is a CELTA and experience enough qualification? What are the classes like-- lecture halls with tons of students or smaller language-school style classrooms with small groups? Teaching general English, exam prep, academic writing, what?

[Zajko]

IH were advertising for teachers for their new school in Tashkent, not so long back. I'm not necessarily recommending them, but I have their email address - just PM me if you want it.

[yakov1]

i worked for language link and then privately for myself last year in Tashkent. i love the city, especially the uzbek and korean food and the bazaars....it is a LOT cheaper than Russia...i was in for quite a shock when i came here.

I can pretty much tell you most things you want to know about the place...if you do go i strongly recommend learning uzbek which is one of the easiest languages to ever learn(i was intermediate after just 2 months)...not because you need it for communication(as everyone speaks russian in tashkent) but for the discounts you get for speaking their language.

ie:

to a taxi driver-

you:how much to yuonsobad?(suburb) -English
taxi: $10 normalno

you: Yuonsobad, skolka?
taxi: pyart teesecha soum(cym) (5000 or approx $2.50) -Russian

you: Yuonsobad, kancha? (written qanche)
taxi: uch ming soum(cym) (3000 or $1.50) -Uzbek

this applies to everything, everywhere....you get loads of respect for speaking their lingo and make them nervous to whisper about you too.

Westminister does not really pay that well anymore...i still have friends who work there and the administration year upon year is becoming more uzbek and less english...with the typical soviet system of corruption and kickbacks in education.

they expect university degrees....i will point out though in uzbekistan my qualifications were never checked by anyone. there are also tashkent international school and a turkish school who want real teachers(certified) but pay very good money for them.

be careful working illegally as i did....on my own i made a lot of money about $3000 a month but when i did some freelance for some language schools they were raided by the police....fortunately i wasnt there that day but an american was and he had to pay a $4000 fine and was only not deported because his wife's visa lots of discussions.

there is a british council in tashkent that does ielts tests etc and the fortress of the american embassy had an english club...you can also try talking to them but it is a long shot.

any other questions please message me...or ask here is fine. militsa are everywhere but i never had anything but help from them...though a westminister teacher got stopped everyday on the metro...so luck of the draw.

[hdwhatley]

According to a foreign lecturer at MDIS Tashkent:

The life is peaceful but controlled, because of the past security phobia under the Soviets before independence in 1991.

Cost of living is fairly affordable...nearer to Malaysia. The students are ok, very assertive, smart, very upfront, generally polite, but lack depth in their grasp of knowledge. Generally, better than my previous students in UAE in term of the command of English. The minimum entry level of IELTS to enter the foundation year is 6.0, which is quite good.

The thing lacking is many franchise outlets like Mcdonalds, KFC or Burger King, as Uzbekistan is not yet a member of WTO, and the transfer of money in and out is under strict control. The accomodation is free, like a three star hotel, with laundry. The kitchen is shared with students, but you can eat at the cafetaria for lunch.

The city is generally neat and clean, and population are 95% Sunni Muslim. If you have a good knowledge of Russian that would be most helpful.

[maqueen]

You can either take what I'm saying very seriously or suffer the consequences. I don't hold ill will or have an ax to grind, but this should have been said 6 months ago before 2 groups of teacher rotated in and out, probably dealing with same issues. Working for local international school is completely different scenario.

First off, Tashkent was a lovely place. Probably the nicest FSU capitol and I've been to them all. Good infrastructure and reasonably priced if you limit Irish Pub, other expat traps, eating out and shop at bazaar, etc. Anything imported from outside CIS will cost you. Nightlife and other entertainment options are so so. People are pleasant enough. Police state management is subtle. Usual bureaucracy for area. I really enjoyed Tashkent and wished I could have stayed longer, but...

The gentleman who "owns" the school is very personable and knows his ESL, but that is where it ends. He has some issues with the truth, will flat out lie, deny and turn things around. There have been some ongoing problems with his local "roof". The business structure is questionable licensed not as a school, but under some sort of cultural exchange designation. He is often very busy networking socially in an unusual way and has been known to dine with the British Ambassador...

There is a big cash problem without convertibility or ability to repatriate. No Western Union, etc. or bank transfers as foreigner. No bullion gold sales. Cash is scarce. The official exchange rate is a farce. Even then you can't just walk into a bank or cambio and make exchanges as it doesn't exist though posted. You will get paid your quoted $ salary at official exchange rate in SOM and lose +35%. Officially you must be paid by deposit to a intra-network debit card only useful in UZ. More games here as you will sign a contract at a lower salary for tax evasion purposes paid to card and rest in SOM and or $ (at black market rates). Payment will be excruciatingly slow to none. Figuring flight, convertibility and non-payment my losses were in 50% range for few months I was there.

You're expected to be in the office 40 hours a week and teach 30 academic hours, plus Wednesday teachers in-service and evening speaking club. Saturday could be worked into your schedule at some point.

Because of local competition, teachers before and after I arrived, have been arrested and deported individually or as groups. You arrive on a one month business visa and application is made by the business for a work visa. No guarantees here. You are not allowed to work on the business visa, but will contrary to law. Visas can be cancelled on a whim.

The office staff despises you. They are low paid, petty, jealous, unhelpful and can't be trusted. This situation exists in other places too, but just be aware factoring in with other things.

You must be registered at home address. There are some freedom of movement laws than can be applied. No political or religious discussion contrary to present local state of affairs or comparisons with yours. Local worship may need a passport. Halloween and Valentine's are banned. Water from tap should be boiled. Occasional short power outages. Medical care is uneven in quality. It is generally safe at night and for women exercising prudence.

Q