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alex1970
Joined: 19 Jun 2013
Posts: 84
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 Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:04 pm Post subject: End of TEFL in Russia? Most certainly. |
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First the fingerprint law is introduced which was a pain for me but didn't cost anything so I got on with it, then I found out if has to be done for every visit. I never knew fingerprints changed over time...
Secondly the language test requirement, this test applies for everyone including people applying for work visas. No exceptions and you have to be fluent.
Which means for me its 3 months in Russia then get a new visa..etc etc |
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TheEasyLife
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| I was told at the Russian visa place on Gee Street in London that they don't save any fingerprints at the moment so everybody will have to go and repeat the same procedure again and again. Ridiculous really. |
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GotoRussia
Joined: 02 Jan 2014
Posts: 182
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:45 am Post subject: |
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| What's this fingerprint and language test thing now? Sounds like they want to keep all foreigners out or something. Do you have links about it? |
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expatella_girl
Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 248
Location: somewhere out there
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:31 am Post subject: |
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| GotoRussia wrote: |
| What's this fingerprint and language test thing now? Sounds like they want to keep all foreigners out or something. |
Ya think?  |
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TheEasyLife
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:59 am Post subject: |
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I only know about the fingerprints-
Russia Visa Information - UK - Important Information
ru.vfsglobal.co.uk › Important Information
Перевести эту страницу
Regarding the new requirement to collect biometric data of foreign nationals and stateless persons applying for Russian visas. In accordance with the Executive ... |
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alex1970
Joined: 19 Jun 2013
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:21 pm Post subject: fingerprints |
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| GotoRussia wrote: |
| What's this fingerprint and language test thing now? Sounds like they want to keep all foreigners out or something. Do you have links about it? |
I had my fingerprints taken and will have to have them taken again in 3 months. I am sure they keep them otherwise there would be no point in taking them. |
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teacher X
Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Posts: 220
Location: Super Sovietsky Apartment Box 918
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Japan requires fingerprints and biometrics. But then they don't charge a billion euros for a visa. |
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teacher X
Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Posts: 220
Location: Super Sovietsky Apartment Box 918
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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As for the 'language test' it is not obligatory for 'highly skilled specialists'. This has been stated in several articles concerning the new law.
Again, it remains to be seen whether we are considered highly skilled. Language Link visa department say they have no reason to believe teachers will have issue.
Of course, whether you believe them or not is another thing.
My visa is valid until October, so that gives me a bit of breathing space and time to see what really comes of it.
Rather than listen to the panicked cries of speculation, I'll wait and see what happens with visa renewals.
I know our school is currently renewing a few visas of teachers and they have had no issues. (we are now in January, are we not? I wonder how long it will take for this language test malarkey to kick in and whether we are indeed subject to it. It was supposed to start on January the first and yet this hasn't caused an issue for visas which will be procured mid January)
| alex1970 wrote: |
No exceptions and you have to be fluent.
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I think we've already ascertained that there are exceptions.
Also, I have read numerous articles about this law and not one states that you need to be fluent. They all say 'working knowledge'. Rather vague for sure, but it hardly suggests fluency.
Anyway, we shall see what happens in the coming months.
Any chance of a link to where you read that it will be without exception and require total fluency? Or did you get this information from the same Russians who told me that Putin will close all of Russia's banks? Or that Chicken was going to be banned? Or that Russia will run out of grechka by February? (I have actually been told all of these things) |
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teacher X
Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Posts: 220
Location: Super Sovietsky Apartment Box 918
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-migrants-history-test-sneak-peek/26521218.html
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| Labor migrants hoping to pursue menial jobs like street sweeping or bricklaying in Russia will be required by 2015 to have passed a 20-question quiz on 1,000 years of Russian history spanning Kievan Rus, the Mongol occupation, Tsarist rule, and the Soviet Union. |
I'm not sure if ESL is on the same level as bricklaying and street sweeping. We're often thought of by other expats as such...but I like to think that we don't fall under that category.
This is the most recent article I have found on the matter. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, Teacher X, these types of changes do cause some amoutn of anxiety and stress, if not outright panic. But I totally agree with your point that much remains to be seen as to how any if this will actually work. I strongly suspect that at worst this will be a minor shakedown and teachers will have to pay for their language test cert, just like they pay for their medical checks, and none of it will have much bearing to reality. And if we are lucky none of it will apply to teachers anyway.
End of EFL in Russia? I seriously doubt that, no matter what transpires. |
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alex1970
Joined: 19 Jun 2013
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 5:34 pm Post subject: fluency |
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| teacher X wrote: |
As for the 'language test' it is not obligatory for 'highly skilled specialists'. This has been stated in several articles concerning the new law.
Again, it remains to be seen whether we are considered highly skilled. Language Link visa department say they have no reason to believe teachers will have issue.
Of course, whether you believe them or not is another thing.
My visa is valid until October, so that gives me a bit of breathing space and time to see what really comes of it.
Rather than listen to the panicked cries of speculation, I'll wait and see what happens with visa renewals.
I know our school is currently renewing a few visas of teachers and they have had no issues. (we are now in January, are we not? I wonder how long it will take for this language test malarkey to kick in and whether we are indeed subject to it. It was supposed to start on January the first and yet this hasn't caused an issue for visas which will be procured mid January)
| alex1970 wrote: |
No exceptions and you have to be fluent.
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I think we've already ascertained that there are exceptions.
Also, I have read numerous articles about this law and not one states that you need to be fluent. They all say 'working knowledge'. Rather vague for sure, but it hardly suggests fluency.
Anyway, we shall see what happens in the coming months.
Any chance of a link to where you read that it will be without exception and require total fluency? Or did you get this information from the same Russians who told me that Putin will close all of Russia's banks? Or that Chicken was going to be banned? Or that Russia will run out of grechka by February? (I have actually been told all of these things) |
Check my link to the test...you also need history so it will suggest fluency |
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alex1970
Joined: 19 Jun 2013
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| teacher X wrote: |
http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-migrants-history-test-sneak-peek/26521218.html
| Quote: |
| Labor migrants hoping to pursue menial jobs like street sweeping or bricklaying in Russia will be required by 2015 to have passed a 20-question quiz on 1,000 years of Russian history spanning Kievan Rus, the Mongol occupation, Tsarist rule, and the Soviet Union. |
I'm not sure if ESL is on the same level as bricklaying and street sweeping. We're often thought of by other expats as such...but I like to think that we don't fall under that category.
This is the most recent article I have found on the matter. |
Teaching is not 'highly specialised' so you fall under the same rule. |
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alex1970
Joined: 19 Jun 2013
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject: testing |
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| Just to add that I am a fully qualified teacher with a degree in Russian (including Russian politics, culture etc). After a visit to the FMS even I thought there is little chance of many prospective TEFL teachers passing the test. It cost 5000 roubles and if you fail you have to wait a year. I posted an example on this board yesterday of the test. |
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GotoRussia
Joined: 02 Jan 2014
Posts: 182
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:05 am Post subject: |
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Basically if this test is true why would any teacher bother going to Russia.
The Russian government sure thinks backwards. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:40 am Post subject: |
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The rational for such measures is usually more to do with Central Asian immigration. Visa rules are not often aimed at teachers, or western European visa applicants. They just get caught up in the one size fits all visa changes.
Not sure it is any more backward than millions of tourists needing to submit fingerprints or retinal scans at border controls in airports in many countries these days. To combat terrorists, apparently... |
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