Job Discussion Forums

[bobs12]

I'm discussing a scheme with my management at the moment that will take new teachers (qualified or just curious) into our company on a one-month 'internship' type programme. It won't give any qualifications or accreditation, but it will give you experience of teaching in a real business, a reference from a very respectable international company (depending on performance), and a possible 'foot in the door' with some other local companies and schools. There may also be a possibility of continued work in our company.

You'll be given real groups of students at levels suiting your abilities, and you'll be paid (higher than local average hourly rate) for teaching them. There will be a guaranteed minimum number of hours, and there should be an option to take extra lessons if everything's going well.

There will be support and advice at hand at all times, and you'll be working in a very friendly, flexible and forgiving environment. You should be under no real stress at any time, and you will receive regular (constructive) feedback from your students to let you know what they're enjoying and what they're not.

Acceptance will be subject to application, possibly a test, and an interview. There will be quite strict selection criteria. Visa and accommodation support can be arranged for anyone not currently in Russia.

So, if you're interested, let me know by email or PM at the usual address.
The programme will be open to all native speakers of English, and non-native speakers with fluent English.

[Communist Smurf]

The only thing that would frighten me away is the one month thing. Will you offer airfare reimbursement to those that don't pass the test? I think they main reason why people go for schools as opposed to freelance is that schools offer security. Being told I have a conditional offer to last no longer than one month would put a lot of stress on me.

I suspect only those living in Russia, in between employment, would be interested. If you're adamant about keeping the one month condition to employment, I think your best bet for takers would be the study abroad student population of Russia.

The only problem with hiring students is that you, as the employer, won't find a lot of security in them. Most of them didn't come to Russia without having some security or something to fallback on should they run out of money. Also, given the lack of work experience (lack of discipline) and freedom to "forget" they ever worked for you so that future employers won't know about their poor performance with your company, allows them the luxury to quit at the drop of a hat.

CS

[bobs12]

Good point, but no, I don't think there will be an airfare reimbursement involved unless we decide on a longer placement. The test will be taken prior to a telephone interview. Nobody will be coming out here without a definite one-month placement, and I won't take on anybody from outside Russia that I'm not 100% confident in. At the moment, I have two schools begging and pleading for teachers, so if I come accross anybody worth their salt, I'll send them off in that direction. I have some *good work* up my sleeve for anyone who really shines.

There might be a possibility to extend the programme term with a part-time contract for a month, but at the moment I want to gauge interest before setting the plan in stone for the management. I was hoping to aim it towards teachers in schools who'd like a chance to try something new.

Anyone who buggers up their contract obligations just won't get paid. I'll see to that

I can see what you mean about it being more attractive to the study abroad crowd. I'll avoid them as much as possible.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

bobs12,

When would these "internships" be available? Are you looking at this winter still, next spring...?
Sounds intriguing.

[bobs12]

I can't say for sure yet, I still have to get approval. If I get do, I plan to make a rial run in January. There might be a taker for that slot already, but if successful, then the next one should start immediately after. I might be open to negotiation about extending the one month limit for more experienced teachers, but we'll see how it goes. If someone's ready and available and in the vicinity, December (at a push) is a possibility, but that would really need to be a teacher with some experience, as it won't give me time to work out a programme.

Students so far are keen, nothing like starting from the bottom up when looking for approval, as they say... ahem...

Watch this space...