Job Discussion Forums

[squirrel2go]

Hello! I am quite new on these boards, and this topic might be well covered somewhere but i didnt find it yet.

The American English Center in Ukraine, with locations in Odessa, Kiev, and Dnipropetrovsk, has recently placed an ad for employment. It looks almost too good to be true, and we all know what they say about such appearances! lol! Well, I am asking if anyone is familiar with this school, or the contact name, Jon Pernick. I have to admit, I am more than slightly interested in the opportunity, assuming it's legit.


Anyone have some info for me on this one?

[Master Shake]

I remember seeing those ads. Isn't American English Center the one that requires no teaching experience or qualifications, but gives you all kinds of perks like free Russian lessons, mobile phone, training etc.?

Yes, I would be very cautious with that school. I don't know much about ESL schools in the Ukraine, but from what I hear good schools are few and far between.

[squirrel2go]

Well, without looking it up again I dont know that the perks were THAT extensive... but the lack of qualifications u noted is spot on to what i recall.

Again... looks too good. I am not jumping on anything just yet, that's for sure! lol! But I hope more ppl will have feedback on this one.

As luck would have it, i have a friend in Ukraine right now, only he wont be visiting Odessa and I think his time in Kiev is over now. But he has a friend in Odessa, and he seems to think that guy will be willing and able to look into this thing for me from a more firsthand perspective. We'll see... but i appreciate your cautious tones! I have to keep some reality in focus here. Gettin excited about the future!

[Master Shake]

Stumbling upon that ad was what sparked my interest in teaching in the Ukraine!

Then I looked into it further. I've read in this forum that there are only something like 2-3 'legit' English schools in the whole country...someone correct me if I'm wrong.

And one of these legit schools was International House, and somebody's trying to sue them a couple threads down I sure hope someone else comes along to offer you some guidance.

[wildchild]

did you all explore their website at all?

Did you find the link to their class photos?

[squirrel2go]

After you suggested it, i did. They do have class photos... is that a good sign? Am i missing something obvious here? I apologize, i am still very new to this whole concept. To me, the website looked pretty upstanding.

[canucktechie]

[paulbaxter]

I saw the ad for this school myself recently. I have been considering looking for a teaching position in Ukraine, so I was also interested in this ad.

However, I did a search and found the email for someone who taught there. He highly discouraged me from taking a position at this school. He told me they withheld his pay for two months and he lost 30 pounds since he couldn't afford to eat.

I'm sure if you did a search you could find the same guy. He said the Phoenix School in Kiev is much better.

[squirrel2go]

Wow... thats a horror story!!
Not cool, not at all. But maybe its one of those "one guy's experience" sorts of things and not the norm?? I would hope. Yikes.

I have since done lots of looking and my initial utterignorance about teaching in Ukraine has since become just typical ignorance. I see there are lots of schools and opportunities, and though its attractive to be able to teach without a boatload of qualifications ( I was hoping my interview might speak for itself)... i have gotten a plan for finishing my bachelors and doing a CELTA certification before I look for real work. But Ukraine is still very attractive to me, and I hope to learn more still about this school as well as Phoenix and others...

ANY OTHERS WITH INFO/STORIES? Love to hear em... this is a topic i think most of us newbies with a Euro inclination would love to see expanded.

Thanks!

[ccrider]

Does anyone have contact information for the Phoenix School in Kyiv? I tried a web search and couldn't find any info.

thanks