Job Discussion Forums

[Deicide]

I am an American currently residing in South Korea and am thinking about teaching in Russia next year. Are there any ways to teach and actually earn money in Russia? Do employers pay for flight fare? Does such a thing as a year contract exist in Russia? I am also a near natice speaker of German. Would I have any chance of landing a job in Russia for teaching German as well as English? People have told me to avoid Moscow as it is too expensive and dangerous? Any advice...basically how do I land a decent gig in Russia (maybe ST. Petersburg), can I work in Russia without first knowing Russian? Thanks for the advice all...Deicide...

[maruss]

Thre are some very useful postings on this site about the subject but just to summarise,I would say -yes, you have a very good chance of finding a job there but there a lot of pitfalls to beware of:Number one is that firms who offer benefits such as refunded flights, accomodation and visa costs etc. generally pay peanuts so if you are prepared to fork out about $2000 to set yourself up freelance, you can make serious money,at least in Moscow.Don't believe that Moscow is any more dangerous than many other cities in the world regarding crime etc. because it isn't!However, it is overcrowded,stressful, brash, dirty and can be very expensive,while the ecology is pretty awful and the climate can be equally so!
There is a first world city in the centre which is mostly inhabited and enjoyed by a tiny elite, while most other people live in a third world outer city which is equally expensive for them in relative terms on the salaries they earn etc.There is also a small middle class who are trying to find a 'second world' in between the two extremes with difficulty!
Outside the capital, things are very different with a tinier top level and a much bigger lower one!You will expereince the REAL russia there, but not earn much money!
Above all, DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT with any of the bigger schools or you will regret it!
P.M. me for more info!
Good luck!
M.

[rusmeister]

The main reason I would recommend a move to Russia would be to learn Russian and meet Russians - but maruss is pretty much right, although I can say the Moscow region has expanded a little more than most teachers here would think (the majority live in Moscow) - prices are way up, market infrastructure has developed and I generally don't need to go to Moscow for anything I need.

If you do it, be prepared for difficulties (it's good to be young and resilient), and to not have much money at first.

Also, other teachers have expressed the thought that it may be necessary to come the first time however you can - even if it's one of the cheesiest rip-off big 'schools' like English First. They handle your visa (and maybe plane ticket) and your first 6 months or year you make peanuts, learn the ropes and gradually develop your own clientele for a shift to being on your own.

Good luck!

[Scott Denham]

[M.]

is money in Moscow. But it takes time to set up...As Freelancing anywhere does. There is heaps of work here. THe overcrowding is not a big thing if you are coming from a Big city in Korea. In fact, After 5 years in Russia, two in Japan and now a my return to Moscow; I find Osaka and Tokyo much more crowded than Moscow. Plus, Moscow is Ten times greener than any large Asian City. It is also safe. if you need a connection, I can help you with some good schools that actually pay a decent wage.