Job Discussion Forums

gypsy woman · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 18

I have just been offered a job with Language Link in Moscow for in-company teaching. My Russian is real basic, so I'm concerned about getting around to companies. Also not sure that the salary (US$1200/mo net) will take care of my basic survival needs. I am 55, so not clubbing a lot and have lived in Kyrgyzstan, China, Cambodia and India, so I am not used to Western style luxury living. Any comments on experience with this level of salary and life in Moscow, please advise. IF any one is teaching in-company with LL or any other school, I'd love your input.

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

Check out the average Moscow salary thread. There is some good, up-to -date, info in there.

zeke0606 · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:07 pm Post subject: what?

gypsy woman,

I'd really suggest that you search LL in this forum and see what the people that worked for LL had to say about their experience dealing with this 'fast food' school.

Then you will know for certain what you are in for!

As a former LL teacher, and n*v*r again! Chose a vowel, any one will do as long as both slots have the same vowel -- it still sounds the same! Well, almost and close enought for LL!

Zeke

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

I have known several ppl over the yrs who have worked for LL and heard nothing positive. They all bailed for smthg better. A good friend of mine worked there in translation. She had an M.A. in translation and lots of experience and the best they could offer her was 800$mo.She worked there in 06. No, they did not pay for her housing either,so she was on her own. She rented a room for 400$ and struggled on what was left.
I went to interview with them in 04 just out of curiosity as I heard pay and conditions were cr-p(insert certain vowel). At the time, I had eight years' experience teaching Russian and ESL. I had an M.A. in Russian and B.A. in Russian and education with teacher certification in Russian,ESL, and Spanish. The best LL could offer me was a whopping 600$/mo and a SHARED (like h-ll I'm doing that) flat sans washing machine! What a joke! Can you say slave labor?

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

But it's true!Yes there are a few of the what we call the'Macdonalds' firms who still advertise such ridiculous wages,even at todays Moscow prices and expect to find ex-pat teachers who will work for them!Anyone who notices these firms always seem to have vacancies should be suspicious but they use very deceptive advertising on their site to lure unsuspecting people and still seem to find them!So who is to blame?The firm or the people who naively accept their jobs?Or both?
By contrast,if you read Chrichton Brauers site at Globus for example,he paints a true picture of what it is like to live and work in Moscow-and pays better than the larger companies!

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

I met Crichton last fall. He is a good guy. I ended up going w/ my current job though instead of his offer(which wasn't too bad). Current job offered a much higher salary. Globus has a good benefits package too BTW. Why not contact them instead of LL????

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

LL has often been criticised but it is a good starting point for people who are new to Russia or new to teaching.
You have travel, visa and accomodation arranged for you.

Travelling on the Moscow Metro is easy. All you need is a metro map, easily available in English from the i'net. The different lines are colour coded to make travel easy. At crossover stations all you need to do is follow the colour coded signs.
Then be sure to find out from LL whether you exit the station via the rear of the train or the front of the train.

Incidentally, reading the station names is Russian is a great introduction to the Russian alphabet.

gypsy woman · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 18

Thanks for your responses. I plan to ask for more info on the accommodations, locations, etc. and then decide if it is Moscow or China or spending all my funds on a CELTA course and looking for work in Argentina or Chile. Just can't figure out what is riskier or perhaps more importantly where I "belong" in the world!!! After 15 years in Asia, is it time for something totally new regardless of the financial risk?