Job Discussion Forums

supertraveller · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Bolivia

Hey, was wondering what would be a good salary to live on in Russia, and i am talking about in the major cities. I saw that BKC offers about 850 US dollars, is that good? Thanks for any information. Take care.

cainB · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Moscow

I don't know abouT the rest of Russia, but i live in Moscow and $850 here would not be enough to live comfortably on. U rent alone will be around $400. If your going to take a job in Moscow u will find somewheRe with much better wages than this.

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

That salary from BKC is in addition to housing paid for by the school, visa, etc.

This is a standard salary for Moscow and you are not going to get more for an ordinary teaching position (from any school). It is also more than what a Russian public school teacher gets.

It costs about $150/month to eat well in Moscow. Whatever you spend the rest of the money on is up to you. It may be more than adequate, or much less than adequate, depending on your lifestyle. You're not going to be hanging around Night Flight, that's for sure. Laughing

supertraveller · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Bolivia

Thanks, so is bkc a good school to work at? I mean i have a lot of experience and my c.v is loaded, including being a cambridge certified examiner. What salary should i expect and what schools are good to teach at? Thanks again.

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

If you really have a lot of experience perhaps you might be able to do better elsewhere, I don't know. Essentially BKC and LL are the only schools in Moscow who hire teachers without experience, for you there may be other choices.

I worked for BKC for 2 years so I know a lot about the school. There are a lot of very good academic people, some of the ADOS's are really first rate. It's a member of IH so there are some standards and oportunities that come from that.

The downside is really on the business side of the school. Failure to deal with problem/non-performing YL's is a perennial problem. If you've signed up for a 30 AH week they'll get that from you even if it means working dreadful split shifts. Management at satellite schools is highly variable, some are lovely people, some are tyrants. You may or may not have significant problems with housing. A lot just depends on luck.

That said it's a very good place to get to know people and to know Moscow. Many teachers leave the school after a year or two and work for a smaller school or freelance.

Xenophile · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 7 Location: Moscow

From someone who currently works for BKC: The minimum salary right now is $650 per month,(and there's a bonus at the end of the contract of $50 per month worked) though if you have a lot of experience you can expect something higher. In addition you get free (shared) accommodation (or an accommodation allowance if you prefer to find your own place), a metro pass, all visa costs paid, and a flight allowance.
However, with your experience, assuming you have CELTA or equivalent, you might consider applying for a senior position. I've been a BKC ADOS for a year and a half, and I find it really rewarding. The salary is , of course, higher, and you get single accommodation, and as well as the normal benefits, you get a training fund of $50 per month worked and free survival Russian lessons if you don't speak the language. The work of senior staff is largely teacher support and training, and of course you will teach some hours too. There is some paperwork to be done like in any desk job, but it's not all that burdensome. Any frustrations you might experience with admin staff are not exclusive to BKC; you'll find them anywhere in Moscow; and BKC are getting better and better at listening to teachers' opinions.

zedington · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 10

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

You will be sharing with another foreign teacher, not Russians. A fair number of teachers do share housing with Russians (either friends or more than friends) but they are doing this on their own.

The only "compatibility" issue BKC is willing to address is smoking vs. non-smoking. Beyond this it's just a matter of luck, and yes if you end up sharing with someone who is not your "type" this can be a problem.

siberiamad · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Siberia

I'm in Novosibirsk and get between $500 and $700 per month plus any proof-reading (very lucrative) that the school is given. My rent is R3800 ($130) and food is about the same each month. There's a couple of native speaker posts available for after the summer (perhaps earlier) for anyone interested. OK so it's not a get-rich-quick scheme but it's Siberia and it is AMAZING! The school will pay all visa costs and find accomodation for you, trasport is dirt cheap if you do go downtown, though it is the main branch that is looking for staff, it's in Akademgorodok.