Job Discussion Forums

[far.out.at.sea]

I have read only bad things about this recruiting company, however I have struggled to find specifics. Is it because the schools they send you to are unprepared to have a foreign teacher meaning there aren't supplies or they have unrealistic expectations or is it with the payment/housing? Both maybe?

In October OxfordCrown is hiring teachers to teach in kindergartens in Moscow. I would be the first foreign teacher at this kindergarten and I would be expected to "bring the curriculum and provide the lessons under the guidance of our teaching methodologist." Does anyone know what that is supposed to mean?

The offer is 70.000r a month with shared housing. They would put only 10,000r put towards my plane ticket and the month of May would be paid hourly instead of my monthly salary. Honestly, I'm interested in teaching in Russia. My goal would be to save around $1,000 American dollars a month and pick up a bit of Russian. But I also don't want to put myself in a bad situation.

Should I continue discussions with OxfordCrown or move on to something else?

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]

Forget Oxford Crown. Generally bad, bad news. Look at how their conditions are already being degraded, before you even get there. "Bring the curriculum..." means they do not have a clue what you'll be doing in the classroom, and a 'teaching methodologist' is usually some harridan who has a degree in translation studies or stylistics, but does not have a clue about any form of teaching.

Have a read of this thread for more information:

http://expat.ru/forum/showthread.php?t=189241

Generally speaking, saving 1000 dollars your first time in Moscow is a little on the unrealistic side. It would be half your stated 70,000 rubles, basically.

As ever, given the unique difficulties of entering Russian ELT, I'd advise going with a McSchool first. Poor pay, but at least there would be a little more stability than at Oxford Crown.

[coledavis]

"I have read only bad things about this recruiting company..."
So why continue with the specifics? There must be something better. What are your qualifications, if you don't mind me asking?

[maruss]

I have personal experience of this firm, which was my introduction to working in Moscow and have to re-iterate my sincere advice-DON'T!! because it will all end in tears!!Anyone interested to know more, please p.m. me.

[Sashadroogie]

That's right, I remember you mentioning them. The horror still has not fully left you, it seems. There's a thread on them somewhere, but I cannot seem to search it out. No matter. The only word one needs to bear in mind regarding this outfit is... avoid.

[maruss]

Their location-by Nagatinskaya metro-is the first sign that that you are in the pits, this being a rather grungy area of Moscow, Nizhni Kotli, and their offices are in the building of a company called Ferein which was convicted some years ago of supplying fake German pharmaceuticals!!But as the owner,Brinzalov is a member of United Russia and has their emblem painted on the side of his building for all to see, he got off with a few thousand dollars fine!!(whoops that will do for today-you never know who might read this!!)

[ComradeBL]

SCAM!

[teacher X]

I just got an email from Oxfordcrown, offering 60,000rub for 30 hours per week. No mention of housing allowance or anything extra.

So they're offering a worse deal than OP.

[Sashadroogie]

Ha ha! Oxford Clown doesn't value you as much! 500 rubles an hour? How can you live with yourself? The shame! The shame!

Better pour another drink, and take stock of your life. And count up all the better paid hours you are already clocking up.

[teacher X]

Ahaha, I work for LL. I get paid 10 rubles per month. I can only dream of earning 60,000 rubles.