Job Discussion Forums

[BELS]

Is there any one on the Expat site who is currently teaching in Moscow on a self employed basis? My Russian wife and I have been planning to do this for the past few months. Would you be interested in grouping together and sharing the costs?, such as advertising, renting of classrooms for teaching, administration, and the possibility of forming some type of non profit making company?

It is hoped when forming this company, that we can as a group of EFL teachers will have many benefits, such as having the right to work in Moscow legally on a self employed basis,, and not depend on one particular employer for a work permit or invitation to work. It is also hoped that each teacher will still have his independence and will be able to work as and when he wishes.

There is a lot of information to discuss on this topic, But for now I am just hoping there are enough self employed teachers around that may see the possible benefits to this idea, and will be interested in discussing the matter further.

[BELS]

Okay we now have six efl teachers interested. Are there any more who will consider being part of an EFL teachers partnership

[aussie tim]

I am tim, I am looking at getting involved in a venture myself. I have worked for numerous schools in Russia. In St Petersburg and Moscow on contract which I did not enjoy , as I feel I was always getting the wrong end of the stick as far as fairness in salary and benefits. I know in the cities of Rostov and Volgograd there is a market for native speaker English teachers. The schools there have a monopoly and a market there just waiting to be explored. I would be interested in getting it up a running in one for these cities as a satellite school. I have worked in Volgograd and have some handy connections as far as the red tape. I am sure it would be much cheaper to set it up down there. hire a classroom in the evenings, doing it officially , i am sure can be avoided down there until it becomes big enough. When it becomes big enough i guess then all the registration can take place.

[BELS]

I am a little concerned about your purpose of forming a school. Its seems to me you are a disgruntled ex employee of a school that you now have a vendetta against all current efl schools. This is not a good reason to start a school, or any other business.

You must stay focused in what you want to do, forget about the other schools, plan and run your own school properly, the way you think is best for your pupils, a good business plan is essential.

And be careful, its ok to do some private one to one classes for the time being but advertising and running classes, you will be noticed, you will have weaknesses for your competitors to shop you. Dont worry about other schools, because demand for native speakers is high, there is plenty of business for everyone.

[canucktechie]

[BELS]

Well done potential student. you noticed one error I made, but you missed one. You forgot to mention disguntled for disgruntled. So you will not be awarded a free student place at my new school.

[bobs12]

Must say that a teacher opening a school in competition with the big chains is like opening a hotdog stall outside MacDonalds.

[Yosma]

I for one would prefer to buy something from the hot dog stall, in that case.

There are plenty of small schools in Moscow, just a flat basically with a small board on the wall and desk chairs. With low overheads you don't need a huge amount of students to make some money.

It think it depends more on the competence of the people involved.

[bobs12]

One hot dog isn't going to bring down MacDonald's

[Yosma]

W