Job Discussion Forums

[Def]

Hey all.

Not quite sure where to start with this post, so I guess I�ll just ramble on and hope it forms a coherent whole by the end.

I�ve spent the last week or so reading back through the posts to 2003, and as far as I can tell, prevailing themes involve warning people of racism throughout Russia, the various pros and especially the various cons of Moscow, and information about the �big 3� schools. All good, no complaints, just establishing I have read much backdated information here. So if we presume I am aware of the major issues that seem to come up over and over, I�m now just looking for some fairly specific information/replies.

Er, to this question:

As far as the Big 3 schools go, are they at all suitable in terms of just getting into Russia, and finding ones feet as it were, or should they be completely avoided? I�m aware of concerns raised about them, and get the sense that they�re not appealing in the long-term, but I am strictly wondering about them in terms of entry into Russia for the first year of teaching there.

Or is it more worthwhile to simply look for a place once in Russia (if possible)?

Apologies if this has been addressed� it�s quite possible I�ve missed it in a flood of information� but from what I�ve understood, most posts have been concerning their merits as long-term employers. This really is just about finding an accessible and reliable (as much as it can be) way into Russia to begin with.

Cheers!

PS. As an aside, I have a pretty common Russian name. I�m Australian, I have no current or past family ties to Russia, in fact no connection with the place at all - save for the fact my parents apparently wished me to suffer a life of hearing �what?� any time I introduce myself in English-speaking countries. Just wondering if that�s going to make a difference to anyone�s opinion about my eligibility to teach English. I wouldn�t have thought so originally, but from what I�ve been reading, it wouldn�t surprise me now�

[canucktechie]

I really think that there are not many alternatives for a newcomer to Russia other than going with one of the big schools. They can be a drag in many ways but you do have the school handling all the official BS for you and you also have a large support network in the other teachers.

The normal contract is 9 months but you are not bound to this apart from losing your bonus and having to get a new visa.

I think a newcomer to Russia is better off going with one of the big schools which is at least a known quantity, rather than a small one which could range from great to God-awful. Once you are there you can check out the alternatives in person.

Oh BTW nobody is going to care if you have a Russian name, they know a Russian when they see one. Also there are a lot of real Russians working in EFL.

[maruss]

Because of all the official complications and B.S. getting into Russia with invitations, visas, registration etc etc. the easiest way is to use one of the these schools,but always remember that for the priveledge of them arranging to circumvent all these problems for you, they will use and exploit you 100%!So be one step ahead of them and start looking for hourly work as soon as you arrive where you can earn a decent salary for enduring the trials of life in Moscow 'horrorsville!'

[Def]

[mdk]

The school arranges for your visa and will probably have it canceled if you leave early.

You sound like a total innocent as far as Russia is concerned. The advantage of one of these schools for you is that they have an investment of keeping you alive and teaching for the term of your contract so that you will keep generating revenue.

I went over after maybe a year and a half of Russian which I had picked up intermittently throughout my life because it had pleased God to make me a Russophile. I happened to meet someone on line who got me a job at a Siberian university and I lived with her for a year and a half. When Svetlana took it into her head to get something done (as with many Russian women, I think) it was best to stand back out of her way and let her get on with it.

My point is that I was pretty used to the ropes before I attempted living on my own in Moscow. Since that doesn't apply to you I would not recommend dropping in cold.

[Def]

[coledavis]

If you do decide to join one of the big 3, one thing worth considering is that English First generally insist you teach with their book, which students generally find uninteresting.

[Def]

Yah? Shall keep that in mind, thanks.

[canucktechie]

[rusmeister]

[Def]

[rusmeister]

I can't recommend any of them. You just became a minimum wage slave in a foreign country instead of your own these days. I don't know how to distill how expensive things have become, even in Russia, for people (esp. non-Russians). It is not, repeat not, cheaper than in the US or UK.

If you have your own resources to burn, the adventure of living abroad is great experience, though. If you get into a bigshot school like Anglo-American you'd do alright, too.

[maruss]

All these postings are useful because they warn you about what to expect and I would definitely go there on a visit first if you can,as you have suggested because there is a 50/50 chance you might hate the site of the place, let alone want to work and live there!
Moscow is like many other famous places that are definitely worth visiting but not good for living in!I have already gone into the negative points at considerable length the traffic, the chronic overcrowding on public transport which has reached dangerous proportions and perhaps worse of all, the sheer inhumanity and unfriendliness of the place and the stress most people there are constantly under just trying to survive every day.
Much of the infrastructure is outdated and inadequate,even though there seems to be an enormous amount of building going on 24 hours a day!
The ecology of most of the city is crap and millions of people still live in decrepid Soviet era high-rise blocks in miserable suburbs where I fully understand why so many take to drinking.......The weather is also awful for about 9 months of the year and the global warming seems to have made the winters unstable in recent years with frequent , abrupt temperature changes that drive you crazy-and play havoc with your health!
On top of all that there is a massive and very obviously provocative disparity in incomes which suggests a third-world, rather than a modern country and the F.S.B.(former K.G.B.) is firmly back in control of the government-any opposition is either ineffective or has been silenced!
As another regular contributor has also correctly warned,Moscow nowadays has become alarmingly expensive and to be humiliated by working for peanuts while you endure the 'delights' described is just not on!
So arrive expecting the worse and maybe you will end up being surprised!
Of course it depends what countries you've been to and how much you can put-up with-making comparisons is always difficult.

[Sef]

Yer, the bad stuff is all here. But it's also a v exciting place to live.
I'm working at BKC and my best mate is working at LL, we've both been here about 3 months and both on a 9 month 30hr/wk contract (first advice - don't sign a 30hr/wk contract!!) Oh, and we were both completely wide-eyed and innocent when we first got off the plane. We both like it here most of the time. So to compare as best I can...
-Her flat's nicer than mine but my roommate's nicer
-She has to work Saturdays and I don't.
-I have to teach kids and she doesn't.
-She teaches in one location while I work at 3 different schools so she sees her co-workers a lot more than I do.
-When we planned a trip to SPB I got the time off but she didn't

I'm tired and can't think of any more. PM me if you want more details and good luck with whatever you decide.
S

[Def]

Hey. Thanks again to everyone for the continual input. It's possible I gave the wrong impression in my first post... I don't necessarily intend on going to Moscow to work, I was just making an observation about the running themes here, heh. I'd actually prefer St P's (from where I currently stand). Though as I mentioned, I'm hoping to visit first, get a feel for a place, then make a final decision. So any info is still appreciated, I just don't want you all laboring under false impressions.