Job Discussion Forums

[MdTerpsAreMoney]

First, before I actually ask this question, I want to preface it by saying I understand 90+% of the people here seem to hold BKC roughly in the same regard as predatory sub-prime lenders and on the sheer weight of evidence on this board - and on account of my lack of experience - I'll accept that assessment.

Here are my questions: BKC offers a CELTA class and, since I am not certified and don't have any experience (red flags to some I'm sure, but you have to start somewhere), I am considering doing it in August 08.

1. Does it make sense to do the certification course in Moscow, and why or why not?

2. If I do decide to do it at BKC, is it at all realistic that I could swing an even moderately better job than BKC while taking the class - ie advantages of being on the ground - or would I be pretty much looking at working at BKC due to the time demands of the course/my lack of experience?

I'd rather not turn this into a bash BKC thread simply b/c I already know it has a bad reputation here, but I also understand from reading other posts that options for people new to Russia/teaching are limited. Thanks in advance for any insights you have

[Kootvela]

If you already know this is a bad place, why do you want to go there? I would choose some European country like Poland, Chech rep. or Slovakia for a start.

[canucktechie]

First of all, the CELTA class at BKC is very good. Keep in mind that is the opposite situation from working for them - you're the student, and you're paying them.

As for jobs at other schools, I think the problem is that all the plum jobs in Moscow get filled well beforehand, e.g. around May or June. I really don't think you'd be in a position to grab one when you're doing the course in August. Of course you'd be just about guaranteed a job with BKC if you do OK at the CELTA.

You might be able to get a job in Poland that late in the game, there are a lot of jobs there and it's a train ride away if you don't feel like staying in Russia.

[MdTerpsAreMoney]

well the reason why I wanted to start there is that I am simply much more interested in living and working in Russia than other places in Central/Eastern Europe. I am also toying around with working in Poland and Ukraine, but I speak Russian decently, I studied Russian politics and history in school and I would like to expand on that, hence the appeal. As it seems options for newcomers in Russia are largely limited to English First, Language Link and BKC, it doesn't leave me with much.

[canucktechie]

Well if what you really want is to work in Russia you'd might as well start with BKC and then move to a better job when the opportunity arises. That's what just about everyone else does.

Do be aware that the new visa policy is a major consideration. You can no longer work on a business visa. You have to get a teaching visa sponsored by a school.

Also you will have to leave the country to get that visa, and perhaps go back to your home country, whatever that is. That includes your first job. But you just might get BKC to sponsor you for a teaching visa before the CELTA if you arrange to work for them after the course.

This is Russia.

[BELS]

CELTA is international. You can take it in almost any country. Apart from Moscow you can also take it partime, which has the option of you taking the course while you are working. Unfortunately BKC doesn't do the partime version.

There are possibly 100s of options in the UK. And don't forget the acceptable other course which is rinity. Some say Trinity is much better, yet again there is no such course in Moscow, and I often wonder why. Both qualifications are accepted in the UK and worldwide


COST, it appears much the same wherever you go, about �900.

As most us EU members know, courses in the EU including UK are subsidised and actally free for some. But I have suspicions of wondering why CELTA or TRINITY's fees are not subsidised in THE EU.

But there are some garbage TEFLcourses of which are subsidised in the UK, advertising travel the world. But don't come to us or any employer in the UK, bcause we will only accept Trinity or CELTA.

It's hightime our British Gvernment started subsidising these courses.

[coledavis]

BELS, I don't understand what you're saying here. It certainly seems contradictory.

1 "
COST, it appears much the same wherever you go, about �900.
"
Yes, agreed.

2. "
As most us EU members know, courses in the EU including UK are subsidised and actally free for some. But I have suspicions of wondering why CELTA or TRINITY's fees are not subsidised in THE EU.
"
No, I don't believe that CELTA and Trinity are 'subsidised' in the UK. Unless you're referring to the 'work for us afterwards' deals.

3. "
It's hightime our British Gvernment started subsidising these courses.
"
Which agrees with your first point and contradicts your second.

Actually, I don't think subsidy is a good idea. Why end up with yet more fellow teachers in a crowded market also competing with the best qualifications (CELTA/Trinity)?

[BELS]

[maruss]

I did TESOL in London in 1999 and agree that both this and CELTA should be valid and accepted everywhere.But as the last letter of the latter suggests it is aimed primarily at teaching adults,rather than children,which as Bels quite rightly says is not the same thing and requires different skills.Personally I don't like teaching children,other than older teenagers in small groups or 1/1 and don't consider it suits me,but there are other people that do,which is just as well!
But even if you have one of these qualifications and often a degree as well,it does not mean you will find work with a high-salary and this is reflected in the negative postings on this site and elsewhere about poor conditions,not just in Russia, but also in England and many other countries!
From my own experiences,I would not recommend a new teacher to go to Russia,especially now the choice of employers is so limited due to the new visa rules there.

[BELS]

[maruss]

Definitely Trinity.Actually what happens is that their moderator comes in towards the end of the course and has a brief interview with each person.Obviously they also monitor the way in which the course is run by the school who organise it.I have heard things both for and against TESOL and CELTA but don't think either is necessarily better than the other.

[BELS]