Job Discussion Forums

mephi · Joined: 06 Apr 2013 Posts: 11

Hi,
I have been reading the forums for a few years but this is my first post.

I am now writing as there is not a lot of information about Kazakhstan - is that because there are few native English teachers there, or ........?

Being interested in the country, I have been keeping an eye open for teaching posts, and now there is one in Almaty ...... does anyone know anything about this company? I am thinking in terms of reliability and working conditions really. Their website is pretty good but there don't seem to be many native speaker teachers.

My situation is that I have a Trinity College certificate and two years teaching experience, in Europe and Japan, so this area of the world is a bit different! I have traveled a lot, am 'mature' (is there age prejudice here?) and am hoping to teach and meet the locals, have a reasonably civilised base, and see a bit of the country.

Many thanks for any information .

jonniboy · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 10:56 am Post subject:

Yep, I worked for the Almaty branch. They were fine. Compared to their rivals, IH/Interpress, less on the teacher development side and no IWBs, but they did provide accommodation and a competitive enough wage for the city.

mephi · Joined: 06 Apr 2013 Posts: 11

Many thanks for the reply.

I thought they sounded ok, so applied, but haven't heard back.
I assume there's some ageism going on as I fulfill all their requirements. I am at the age at which some people want to stop but I am happy, active and healthy enough to go on!
I have been discussing this with others, on another forum.

kazpat · Joined: 04 Jul 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Kazakhstan

Companies who recruit for my network of schools advertise an age limit of 59 for a work visa in Kazakhstan. However, I have worked in the past with teachers older than that. Visa requirements have changed over the years and it may or may not be 59. I also know that language centers classify foreign staff as tutors as opposed to teachers to get around the teaching degree / license requirement, so perhaps there is no age limit for a tutor. Best of luck in your search.

By the way, age is highly respected in Kazakhstan but some language centers might want a younger person if the goal is more of an "edutainment" approach.

mephi · Joined: 06 Apr 2013 Posts: 11

Thanks for the comments and encouragement.

I can assure you that age is no barrier to playing silly games.....!