|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
aot531
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
Posts: 21
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:35 pm Post subject: English First vs. Language Link vs. BKC-IH Moscow? |
 |
|
As a newcomer to Russia without extensive teaching experience or credentials (2 years in Korea, 100-hour TESOL certificate course), I decided these three schools would be my best bet as a way to get started.
Anyway... I have now been offered positions in Moscow with all three schools, and I need to make a decision quickly, and I'd welcome any (informed) input from anybody on which you would (or wouldn't) go with.
EF offers the highest salary, but I'd have to pay for my accommodation out of that, and it seems that the work hours are longer.
BKC-IH offers the lowest salary, and there'd be a lot of travel between different schools/branches, but there's the opportunity to do the CELTA.
LL... nothing stands out in terms of negatives, I guess... Salary higher than BKC, with what appear to be similar work hours, without the travel between different schools.
Does anybody have any thoughts/advice?
Thanks  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Mikalina
Joined: 03 May 2011
Posts: 140
Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
In two minds whether to post but as no-one else has....
BKC have their problems (!!!) But they do cover the basics of accommodation, airport pick up, visa/paperwork. One contract with them and then you are in a position to decide your next step with 'experience' under your belt. CELTA course is excellent there and provides you with an internationally recognised qualification even if it does ruin your teaching..... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
teacher X
Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Posts: 220
Location: Super Sovietsky Apartment Box 918
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think you answered your own question. Go with LL.
I assume that BKC are not offering the CELTA course for free, so why would that even be a plus? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
They all come with their minuses, even LL. For what it is worth, I think having the flat sorted out by a school is crucial to starting up in Moscow. No matter what your difference in pay will be, you will have reduced your headache considerably. Renting your own flat will cost about 35 to 40 grand monthly, and will also require deposit and realtor fees, about a month's rent apiece. All this for a flat as equally crappy as a school one. Does LL's offer balance all that out?
If you are interested in training that will further your career, then BKC would be the best option. Yes, you have to pay for it yourself, but it is worth it long term. If you are not thinking long term in TEFL, then this doesn't matter.
As for travelling, all MacSchools include a fair amount of metroing to and fro. It is merely a question of degree, and this varies as much within a school as between schools. It is usually hard to know what one's timetable shape will be in advance. So it it more like Hobson's choice than anything else.
Good luck, whatever you decide. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
teacher X
Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Posts: 220
Location: Super Sovietsky Apartment Box 918
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Sashadroogie wrote: |
They all come with their minuses, even LL. For what it is worth, I think having the flat sorted out by a school is crucial to starting up in Moscow. No matter what your difference in pay will be, you will have reduced your headache considerably. Renting your own flat will cost about 35 to 40 grand monthly, and will also require deposit and realtor fees, about a month's rent apiece. All this for a flat as equally crappy as a school one. Does LL's offer balance all that out?
If you are interested in training that will further your career, then BKC would be the best option. Yes, you have to pay for it yourself, but it is worth it long term. If you are not thinking long term in TEFL, then this doesn't matter.
As for travelling, all MacSchools include a fair amount of metroing to and fro. It is merely a question of degree, and this varies as much within a school as between schools. It is usually hard to know what one's timetable shape will be in advance. So it it more like Hobson's choice than anything else.
Good luck, whatever you decide. |
As far as I'm aware, all LL schools offer housing.
My point was, unless the CELTA is free, he may as well go with the school which pays the most and offers the least hassle and hours. Then he can save more cash and take the CELTA course in the summer. I can't imagine that even if he does work for BKC he'll have any time during the term to actually do the CELTA, so he'll probably be doing it during the summer downtime anyway.
Of course, I'm speculating based on the information he's provided. I'm assuming he's made his choice already. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
