Job Discussion Forums

[Confederate]

I have been reading the posts on Dave�s ESL Caf� for a couple of years now. I have been teaching freelance in Moscow for the past year and have found most of the posts about teaching here in Russia very helpful.

I started teaching English last August after I came here to Moscow for a visit and liked it so much that I decided to stay here awhile. I applied for temporary residence back in November of 2003 and just got it approved finally last month, talk about a job, that is something else having to deal with all the different officials here at different levels and departments, always having to get my visa renewed every three months, but I finally got it approved. Pays to have the right students who know the right people, I can attest to that big time.

I have seen from a lot of posts here on Dave�s Russian forum that most seem to prefer teaching at the big foreign owned franchised schools. I prefer the opposite, working with the Russian owned schools. I have worked at both and from my personal experiences, the big schools pay no more than the Russian own schools, but then also I did not need visa support, housing, work permits and what not that the larger schools offer. But all in all most of the schools here are pretty much the same in my opinion, except of course for the few schools here that are nothing but a rip off, both to students and teachers. An ongoing joke here among the teachers I work with is that some of these schools want to teach business and business English, yet they know nothing about business themselves. That reminds me, there is a rumor here that one of the top schools here is in big trouble and could be shutting down before long. I am surprised that nobody has posted anything about this yet on the forum. I will not say which school it is because what I have heard is only rumor and not fact.

I really have enjoyed teaching here in Moscow this last year and look forward to my next year here. The winters take some getting use to for this South Georgia boy, but I made it through last winter without breaking my leg. I really have enjoyed my students, mostly teenagers, but some times I teach adult business classes and every now and then a children�s beginner�s class. Since I have been here in Moscow, I have taught American, British and World History, American and British Lit., English grammar, American/British English and English for specific purposes. I have been lucky I guess because so far, I have never had any trouble with any school I have worked for, partly because I have always read the posts here about the different schools. Very few of the schools here are really what they claim to be on their web pages, even the big franchised schools, I know because I have worked at a few of them myself. Besides working at schools, I also work as an English translation editor with one of the translation companies here, plus my private students. In my free time I sometimes write articles for magazines about my experiences teaching here in Russia, several which have been published. I have learned that I can make a lot more money teaching privately and this is what I am going to start doing instead of dealing with these schools. I have all the textbooks I need, supplies, video and cassette players, whiteboard and what not to be able to run my own classes like I sometimes do now.

Of course there is a good side and bad side to everything in life, even though my experiences here have been good for the most part, I have had to deal with a few aggravations such as visa renewals, registration, applying for temporary residence and what not. I have not been too impressed with the so-called Citizen�s Service Dept. of the US Embassy, no help what so ever, only excuses. But nothing I couldn�t take care of myself, it would have just been easier if the Embassy had helped the couple of times I needed help. But no big deal really, sometimes everybody wants to be a pain I guess.

I have no regrets about coming here to Moscow to teach, I have enjoyed it very much. Maybe because I have only taught freelance instead of being a contract teacher with any one school. I like having the freedom to come and go as I please, if a school wants to act crappy, then I can hit the road without having to worry about anything like contracts, visas, work permits and what not. I have worked at several schools here including a couple of the bigger franchised schools and not a single one has forced me to sign a contract. Of course the bad side of it is if a school no longer needs you, they can tell you to hit the road just as fast as I can, but you can not have everything I guess. But I have a good apartment, small with cable TV, unlimited cable Internet access, telephone, and what not for what the average Russian pays for rent. I let a Russian friend act as the go between to keep the rent within reason.

But any way, I have really enjoyed teaching here in Moscow and look forward to the next two years before my temporary residence runs out, then it will be time to hit the road again I guess. I have learned a lot from the posts on Dave�s and look forward to learning even more from time to time. Thanks for all the help.
Georgia Confederate

[waxwing]

very interesting post.
How did you go about getting temporary residence? You say it was partially dependent on knowing the right people... was it even slightly legal? (i.e. was it something that others could use..)

[Confederate]

Every thing completely legal as far as I know. I never made any payoffs to any officials, just the average small gift to express my thanks for doing me a favor. I came here on a personal invitation last August and have been here since. Had to get my visa renewed every three months, then applied for temp. residence after I had been here around 7 months. That was one big mess, took longer than the six months they claim, had to go to office after office, what was accepted at one office was unacceptable at another. This is one of those situations where even though everything was done legally, it is best not to say too much about it. Never can tell when I might need another favor sometime. But it is just like in the US, know the right people to grease the wheels a little. It all was a deal of having the right students who had the right parents more or less. Pretty much the same in any country really.

I more or less went through the whole process of applying for temporary residence, all the medical tests, shots, letter from my local sheriff back home saying I have a clean record, provide a letter from my bank here in Moscow stating I had an income that supported me until temporary residence could be granted and I could work legally, stand in long lines at different police stations waiting to see a certain official that everybody else in line wanted to see. get finger printed, and once residence was granted, then register again with the local police station. Knowing the right people helped a lot, and helped to cut out a great aggravation down a little. I still had to go through the whole process, a big kick in the butt itself, but knowing people to help out, help make the process a little more easy.

Georgia Confederate

[zaneth]

Are you married? Or is it actually possible to get the residence permit without marriage to a national?

I'm hoping soon to have permanent registration and will try once again to start the process. I'm hoping hoping hoping that it will be easier out here in the booneys (sp?) than in Moscow.

By the way, congratulations. Way to go.

And after the 3 years, why not apply for the permanent residence permit?

[Confederate]

Yes, it is possible to get temp. residence without being married to a Russian. Being married to a Russian is no guarantee that temp. residence will be granted. I saw many who were turned down while waiting in the lines at various police stations, at least they could not stay in Russian until a decision was made as to whether or not they would be granted temp. residence.

From my experience, you generally have to go through the motions no matter what, it helps to have contacts to help the process run a little more smoothly. Plus it also depends on what district you live in as too how good the system operates, some district police stations operate a little better than others. I came here on a three month home stay visa and was able to get it extended every three months with no trouble, then decided to apply for temp. residence and went through the motions and outside a few officials who saw I was American and wanted to flex their muscles a little, I was able to get temp. residence granted by knowing people who knew people. having students whose parents were in the gov. helped also.

I am not married to a Russian, but engaged to be married to one next June. I know several Americans working here that have temp. residence and they just like me are not married to native Russians. Each done it different ways as to how they obtained temp. residence. There are several ways from what my attorny says. Also from what I have heard it still has to be approved at the main office here in Moscow, but the system does flow a little smoother outside of Moscow. It is possible to get residence, but also very hard. The reason it is impossible for most people is that they do not know anybody who can help them.

I might consider perm. residence next year if it does not require the yearly registration fee of $100.00 like temp. residence now does. It might be nice and handy to have, but I think three years here will be long enough. I miss hunting, fishing and target shooting, plus my horses and outdoors. Moscow is an interesting place, but staying here perm., I don't think so.

I worked in bothe the federal gov. and state gov. in the US, so I know who to get things done. The Russian gov. is the exact same as the US, know the right people helps get things done. A good example, look at how in the US, qualified people who apply for jobs are passed over for unqualified workers who have buddies who are congressmen and what not. Heck, it has about gotten where the only way to colect social security is know a congressman. It is the same here, rules are not broken, you still have to be able to meet the requirements for residence, but just like visa extensions, the rules often times are bent just about in circles for some.

[mitchellmadisonp]

Confederate,

I am in the last stages of hopefully moving to Moscow to teach. I have been accepted to the BKC for a CELTA cert. Please mention the big language school that may be going out of business because I am concerned it may be BKC. Also, just recently, the situation in Russia has become more unsettled, and I was wondering if Moscow is necessarily more dangerous now, or is it just as dangerous as any other national capital. I am very excited about coming to teach, but everyone I talk to seems to think I am crazy. I figured a "local" could provide the best advice.

Thanks
Mac--ready to leave Tennessee

[Confederate]

It's not BKC, but another of the large schools here from what I know about it. As far as I know BKC is on firm grounds from all that I have heard.
Georgia Confederate

[Confederate]

Moscow is as safe if not safer than most cities in the US. You never can tell where terrorists might decide to hit, just about any where in the world really, even the US. Just ask the local 12 to 7 clerk at the local curb store if it is not terror they feel when facing an armed robber. But to be serious, security is a big concern here in Moscow, guards at most entrances to buildings, police are around in most subway stations, and you need passes to get into most buildings or know the key code to open the door. Police do check papers and passports often, especially if you do not look Russian. Of course this does not mean you can act stupid, you always need to be aware of what is going on and who are around you in public. You're coming home late at night on the bus and there is a gang of ruff looking gang bangers, then it most likely would be better to not talk in English, or softely so not to be over heard. Use common sense and you will be safe here. I am a former law enforcement officer in the US, so I know how it really can be, in my opinion Moscow is safer than most cities in the US, just do not act stupid and watch yourself.

No, it is not BKC I was reffering to, but another one of the big schools here. I would rather not say which one it is because I do not know what I have heard to be fact. There are teachers at this school that are members of this forum, so I will leave it up to them to post the facts.

Georgia Confederate

[mitchellmadisonp]

Confederate,

I have been reading many posts on other topics dealing with teaching in Russia. My current plans are to come in January and get my CELTA cert from the BKC. Many people have opinions on this cert, but I feel it will be beneficial for getting jobs in other countries and also to help me get my feet off the ground since I have no experience with ESL teaching. Many people post messages saying how these large schools are sweat shops abusing their teachers daily and laughing while doing it. I don't know if these people were burned by the schools, or had the luxury of living their life without ever coming across an egotistical, manic-depressive boss--I have had many. I am sure you came across a chief in your law enforcement days who fit this mold. Anyway, my question is, without using one of the schools your first year to teach, is it easy to find, set-up, and maintain private lessons? Do many of the wealthy families hire teachers for their children (but I hear you can become a nanny quickly). Most of the people posting warnings about the schools have no real advice for alternate routes. I am also confused about the different types of visas, and I feel the school could be a huge help with those.

Thanks
Mac

[Confederate]

Mac,

From my experience and only my opinion, most of these schools are alike. They all say they are the best and some teachers who work there really do believe that. But these schools are businesses first and educators second. These schools have to make money for their owners, if they don't they go out of business and because of that, some of these schools and yes, the larger franchised schools here are like that also. I just finished working at one of the larger schools here, over all the school as a whole has a very good reputation, but at the branch I worked at, there was no teacher support at all, I even had to buy the textbooks for two of my classes myself after waiting for three weeks into the class and no textbooks. I had a time getting refunded for buying those textbooks, so I never bought any more again. I taught several classes with this school with no books at all, nothing in the form of teacher support at all and this was one of the top four schools here. No wonder this school is about to go under.

I think it is when a teacher is under contract with a school that it seems like a sweatshop because from what I have heard contract teachers can not turn down classes, they must accept all class at all hours any where in the town they teach in. I have only taught freelance, so I could accept or not accept classes as I choose to and I did turn down quite a lot of classes. I may have taught maybe four classes per day at a school, which is a six hour day, I think contract teachers have to teach 20 hours per week with the school, maybe less, I am not sure if it is 20 or 15 hours per week.

Once you get started teaching and know what your hours will be, (be prepared for changing times and hours) you will find it easy to set up private classes on your own. If your students like you, they will recommend you to their friends and others. I know right before the college entrance exams start at the end of high school, I had a lot of clients wanting English lessons for their college entrance exams,. Some teachers advertize in the Moscow Times, a English language newspaper, plus many Moscow citizens also place ads there looking for English teachers. Once you get experience teaching here, everything will start to fit together for you better, reputation and experience means a lot to Russians, once you get the experience, you will find the jobs easier to find. When I first came here in Aug. 2003 I was teaching part time at three different schools at the same time and I still teach with one of these schools today. I have found that most of these schools are only interested in hiring part time teachers for teachers already here, they save the full time jobs for the contract teachers they have to bring over here, but I personally like teaching as a freelance, it gives me more freedom to come and go as I choose. Also once you get settled you might consider having some business cards with nothing but your name, Native English Teacher, and the type of English you teach, plus your phone no. and email address, so you can hand them out to likely clients and students.

Wealthy people do hire private teachers for their children, but you also have to remember that rich parents can afford to send their children to private schools that have a little better quality of education than the public schools here. You will find that at the end of the year around finial exams and college entrance exams to be the best time to be hired as a private teacher. I know of one lady who teachers one day per week and that is it, she teaches the children of a local singer here and a driver picks her up in the morning, she stays all day and comes home at 6:00 pm. She teaches maybe three hours and the rest of the day, her and the children watch TV, go to the zoo, park, museums and what not and all they do is speak only in English. She is paid $500.00 per day, one day per week and that is the only teaching job she wants or needs. You should not forget the average Russian, you might can arrange a small class on your on, and charge the students $10.00 per class. I sometimes hold small classes myself of 5 students twice a day, that right there is an extra $100.00 per day and you'll find a lot more average Russians wanting to learn English themselves or their children than you will rich big shots. During the summer I was teaching three classes per day, 5 students per class, I made around $650.00 per week with no trouble and even more people wanted to attend the classes, so you can also make money teaching average everyday Russians too.

Hope I have been of some help, feel free to let me know again if I can any time

Georgia Confederate

[mitchellmadisonp]

Confederate,

First of all, thank you so much for your help. I have some basic questions. Is it a waste of time to obtain the CELTA course? I feel the class will not only help introduce me to the job of ESL, but also "buy some time" those first few weeks to get somewhat accustomed to the new surroundings and hopefully begin networking. I have saved enough to cover me for a while in the event of ZERO income (one valuable thing I learned in college), but obviously I would like to minimize using this reserve too quickly.
One of my main goals is to learn Russian well enough to speak, read, and write. I am not a wayward backpacker looking to support partying for a few months. I am hoping to establish myself there, and I thought the CELTA course would be a way to boost the resume for potential students or schools. Is this the case?

Thank you again for your time and help

Mac

[mitchellmadisonp]

Confederate,

By the way if you are a Georgia Bulldog fan, I hope you are enjoying the season.

Mac

[Confederate]

Mac,

From what I have seen having a CELTA is not really needed here in Russia, a CELTA is more tailored for those wishing to teach ESL as a career and want to teach in different countries. The CELTA is more of a universal certificate that is accepted in most countries by most schools. If you are only looking to teach here in Russia, then the CELTA certificate is not really needed because the demand for teachers is so high and only at the big four schools will you find other native speaking English teachers. At several schools I have taught at and teach at now, I am the only native speaking English teach there is period. I have found that having you regular ESL certificate plus some teaching experience is all that you need. I have only been turned down from jobs with only one school, because I did not have a CELTA certificate. If you want to teach ESL as a career and teach in different countries, then the CELTA would be your best choice. You also have to consider that as long as the visa requirements here in Russia are some what in a state of flux, there will always be a demand for native English speaking teachers because it is so hard to get the required visas, and paper work you need, so not many native speakers want to go through the hassle. If that were to change for some reason and it became easier for native speakers to come here, then the schools could be more picky in who they hire and only hire those with the fancy degrees and certificates. Most of the time, here I have only been asked if I had a TESL/TEFL certificate and that was it, not what kind, and that was only asked a couple of times and never have I had a private student ask me anything about certificates. Maybe because in my resume I have a copy of my TESL/TEFL certificate, so nobody bothers asking hardly.

The CELTA course would be a way to get experience in teaching and introduce you to Russian life. You'll find that Russian business practices to be somewhat a$$ backwards compared to US business practices, businessmen here tend to know nothing about custormer relations, muchless employee relations, it more is like do and accept what I say or hit the highway. The CELTA does look good on a resume, but mostly only if you expect to go and teach in a country where there is a high number of other native speaking English teachers. Right now here in Russia, there are not that many, more jobs than native speaking English teachers to fill them, so in reality not many schools here ask about the type of certificate you have, only that you do have one. The CELTA course is a good way to get experience and learn about the Russian culture I think. Get yourself some business cards made, then when you class is over completely, ask your students if they would like to have your business card. But I really think the CELTA is better suited to those who want to teach ESL as a career and go to several different countries, CELTA is more of a universal certificate accepted just about in every country.

Yes, I like the Bulldogs, get to see a game every now and then on ESPN here.

[steven_gerrard]

tut

[mitchellmadisonp]

Steven thanks for your thoughts.

From what you guys have told me, I think the CELTA course will help me while I get my feet wet in Russia. I have heard that some schools, including BKC, do not condone teaching private students outside the school. From a business competition point-of-view this makes sense, but can it be successfully done if you stay low-key, or is there no such thing as low-key. Enrollment in the CELTA course does not guarantee a position teaching with the school, but if I was able to work there my first year, I would like to teach a limited private schedule to supplement income and network. If you are caught what is the schools reprimand?

Mac