Job Discussion Forums

macedonianmike · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 64

I've been living here for about seven months and will be returning home in the summer. My school will have a couple openings for native speakers. If anyone is interested please send me a private message.

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

I heard the pay was even worse than Moscow, am I right ? And what can they offer that might excite those to go to Siberia rather than Moscow.

sukoma · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Longmont, CO

Well, there's more to Russia than Moscow. If Moscow's the most expensive city in the world, perhaps there is better opportunity in other cities where the cost of living might not be as high. There's also the element of adventure involved for some of us looking to teach in Russia...remember, there is a lot going on in this country. Any info on Novosibirsk would be rather helpful. Thank you for posting...

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

macedonianmike · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 64

Well salary should be viewed relative to cost of living. How much is rent in Moscow? My place (with a roommate) is right in the center, 5 minutes from the metro, and can walk to work, completely "remonted" and furnished, for about 18k rubles. You can find a lot cheaper if you're willing to travel a bit. Transportation is cheap..about 200 for a taxi anywhere along the metro lines and 12ru for the metro, 14ru for a bus. Nightlife and restaurants can be expensive but if you know the right people you can get by pretty well. Still, you don't teach in Russia for the money. You can live ok but definately not affluently. I would advise anyone coming from the EU or US to save up as much as possible because it can take some time to get started, build up a student base, learn where to shop and go out etc...

As far as why Siberia? I chose Novosibirsk for a few reasons: it's not too big (about 2 million people), it's not too expensive, and I thought there would be more of a chance to practice my Russian with fewer foreigners here. All three of these turned out to be true. And regarding the last, with few native speakers here there is little competition and it's very easy to find well paying side work.

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

Bels is right-in Moscow region,whether we like it or not,there are plenty of people who can afford to pay 2000 roubles per academic hour for English lessons,especially when they are with an experienced native teacher like him who takes pride in providing a good quality service!For those who want to pay less,they can go to the 'Macdonalds' schools where the teachers earn peanuts and change every week!One of the most important things for a foreigner to learn over there is that you have to be mercenary where making money is concerned because that's how it is in Russia!Everyone is out for what they can get,and believe you me,there are people around in Moscow who make far more than most of us can even imagine!If you have qualms about it,nobody else will.By all means be fair and friendly,provide a good service but don't be ashamed of charging for it because Russians believe that good things cost good money and are prepared to spend!To them,cheap prices suggest bad quality!
But to be fair,Bels lives in a very pleasant suburban area where most of the elite prefer it to the smog, congestion and grime of the city centre and he teaches there too so he avoids the nightmare of commuting etc!
If only some of firms would get the message and start paying teachers decent salaries etc....but then again,I' m sure Bels is quite happy with the present status-quo!!

Eamonn · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Ireland

Hi there,

Any reputable language schools in Novosibirsk people could mention?
I'm planning a move to Russia for a year or more and would love to base myself in this fine city...i'm just eager to secure something that pays enough to get pay and enjoy oneself, and for a chance to learn Russian.

Failing this i'm considering one of the jobs in small cities outside Moscow that BKC offer...free accom and russian lessons being the attraction.
I'm a newbie really...if thats a factor...i've experience in financial sector so intend to focus on business english after the CELTA is done.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

It's too bad the British Council has been run out of town. Without some sort of support like that, I suggest you do the year with BKC or somebody like that so that you can get your Russian chops in.

Then, you can take your extra cash and get on the train and go around to the local universities out there and see if something (in the words of Mr. Micawber) turn up.