Job Discussion Forums

[lenta]

Need an insight from people who are still teaching in Russia now, please.

Some pros and cons against making the move to Moscow or St.Petersburg in the next upcoming months. Crisis + new visa system - what are the consequences for newcomers?

My boyfriend has just got his CELTA and is planning to make the move: Moscow / Piter wherever he finds the job first. He is American, studied in Moscow in 2004-2005, speaks Russian, knows Russian realities and difficulties. He's getting worried about this whole idea now, seeing many of his friends leaving Russia and returning home.

I am originally Russian, but spent two last years away from Russia and not of much help here. So I would like to hear from you guys, if you are still out there

Thanks a lot in advance!

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I'm in Vladivostok, so some of these pros/cons might not be as applicable, though I'll try to keep it general:

Pros
1) There is a lot of opportunity for English teachers here, especially outside of school. With the new visa regulations, there are arguably fewer native speakers, so this can mean more lucrative opportunities such as private teaching, exam invigilation, etc;
2) Connected with my first point, there are still many, many very wealthy people here. English is still at a premium, IMO, so those people with heaps of cash who travel or have foreign business (or want to study/live abroad) and want to learn English can be found rather easily (once here); and
3) Russia is dynamic in its own, very Russian, way. Things are changing everyday (sometimes even for the better!) and the future could be a bright one.

Cons
1) Russia is dynamic in its own, very Russian, way. Things are changing everyday (sometimes for the worse) and the future could be a dire one. The political situation may turn out rather badly;
2) The bureaucracy is still world class. Getting things "done" is as difficult as ever, and I'm not so sure that's changing. Infrastructure is still relatively poor (perhaps less so in Moscow/St.Pete); and
3) The economic crisis will have a big effect on Russia. I don't know how this will present itself, but it seems inevitable. The ruble isn't doing so hot, the price of oil has dropped, and Russian reserves are leaking away very quickly. The banking system has not yet hit rock bottom (one positive side of this is that rent prices may drop). One thing is for certain: Inflation is quite high and is projected to be even higher in the next year.

These are just a few from both sides, and as you see much of it is speculation. I hope other teachers will add their two cents, as there are more in Moscow! Check out www.expat.ru ; there are many expats still living/working in Moscow and I'm sure they can give you more localized updates.

Good luck!

[canucktechie]

I have read that Russia's economic planning has been based on oil not going below $75. Latest price is $36 believe.

I have a feeling that the economic situation in Russia is going to get a lot worse quite quickly. If you can find a job from abroad and get your visa sponsored, etc, fine and well. But I wonder how wise it would be just to come and look for something.

The issue is not that all the EFL jobs will go away, they won't. But if, say, 10% of them go away, that's quite a lot of teachers out there pounding the streets looking for work that you'll be competing with.

[kazachka]

I have a good friend who worked in the Central Bank for10 yrs and now works in a state bank connected to Parliament. I have known him personally for over 10 yrs and I trust and value his opinion highly and he is NOT painting a rosy picture for 2009. He says the ruble will likely continue to tank and at least to 35on the dollar if not worse. The first half of 2009 will be very hard and then level off a bit. He predicts that things won't even begin to maybe pick up until well into 2010 at the soonest.

I work for a high end language center that caters to investment banks and oil companies as well as some of the top IT companies. Work is SLOW AS MOLASSES at the moment and I'm very lucky to have some good privates left who haven't been laid off....yet. We have been losing clients left and right due to the crisis. One of our investment banks went under in September. I had several students there most of whom are now out of work. I recently lost another student because her company cut her salary 20% and she is now looking for a job. She has not been paid since OCTOBER!

My workplace still handles my work visa, but hours are down, so I'm just picking up more private lessons. I recently got a pay rise and a cut at the same time when you consider the falling ruble. I have also begun quoting my rates for private lessons in dollars again for the first time in nearly 3 yrs.

So, I have to agree with my friend who is a top economist that 2009 is not going to be a fun yr around here.

[maruss]

I can only relate what my Russian friends in Moscow have all told me recently and that is fully in line with 'kazachkas' last posting:i.e. things are deteriorating quite obviously with the economy and nobody know how bad it will get(mind,you the same can be said in many other countries right now!) or when they will start to improve.....the major difference in Russia of course is that the mostly state controlled media is discouraged from reporting bad news about most subjects,ostensibly because of fear unrest might start to spread if things really deteriorate and people realise what is going on.Our friend in Vladivostok may be able to confirm that there have been some demonstrations there recently, for example,albeit not very large.Although many Russians nowadays are very apathetic about politics in general and it would take a lot to mobilise them into mass protests,the much-boasted stability and prosperity of the Putin regime will be tested severely if the economic crisis starts to affect the everyday life of ordinary people,as it clearly already is....Admiration and hatred can have a very thin dividing line between them.I don't want to be a 'Cassandra' of course, and hope for the better scenario,but the way the world is now,who knows?

[kazachka]

Well, I was here in 98 when all went to hell in a handbasket and seriously hope we aren't headed that direction again.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

[kazachka]

Yes-there was an article in the Moscow Times warning of possible unrest. About 2 weeks ago, I read a similar article in The FT.

[lenta]

Thanks for your replies, guys. The picture is turning out rather ugly.

Any comments on the anti-american (anti-foreign) moods among Russians in the streets just in general? We have a tendency of blaming everyone else except ourselves for all our problems.

Also I am wondering what are the changes, if any, in the conditions that the "notorius McSchools" are offering now? Same old package (+ less hours in the reality)? I would assume they are losing their students as well? Or their prices are relatively low and still affordable?

Just trying to work out the worst case scenario.

Definitely not looking to come and search for jobs. Have to find employer that would sponsor proper visa and be tied with it for some time.

Any feedback or thoughts on Petersburg? Any different than Moscow?
Less population, less schools, less native teachers, same economic hole.

[kazachka]

I really can't comment on the Mc Schools as I've never worked for one, but I can't imagine things are great working for them. I have a few coworkers who have done some time in a Mc School and no one had anything positive to say about it. If things don't start picking up some by February, I am considering two options at this point:
1. get another kid gig since some of the governess jobs I see now offer visa support (after the law change last yr they stopped visa support which is why I had to give up my kid gig)
2. Fedex my paperwork to my former employer back in Wasilla, Alaska and bail in August when the school yr starts back there. I have seriously begun to think that my tenured position in Wasilla PAID IN DOLLARS (hence my income will not tank daily) with STABILITY may be a better option. Every one of my former colleagues back there has been telling me that Alaska would be a better place to ride out this economic crisis than in Moscow where it's very uncertain as to how bad things will get. Yes, and I've been here a d@mn long time off and on and what we have now is beginning to remind me of the crazy 90s.

I had planned to stay a few more yrs, but if things get ugly, I may not have any other option but to bail while I still can.

So far, we have no rioting in the streets in Moscow. There haven't even been protests...YET. All of this could change of course. Anti Americanism???I really don't experience it on a personal level. I train with folks on the National Team here and no one gives me or has ever given me any crap. Most ppl here are anti Bush, but who isn't Many of us are counting the days to when he leaves office.

[canucktechie]

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Well, the protests and subsequent crackdown took place here in Vladivostok. Check out the link for a full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081221/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_protests

I think things might get a bit ugly here in the next 6-12 months. Discontent is growing, and the financial crisis (which will only get worse here) certainly isn't helping matters.
I would be wary of coming to start a new life in Russia in this climate (or at least very careful). Just my two cents.

[lenta]

Thanks again to all of you who shared thoughts and "two cents"

Oh, I am VERY wary and careful,
you should be at all times when you have anything that sounds like "Russia" in your plans

Old Russian proverb: "Семь раз отмерь - один раз отрежь".

We'll see how the job hunting goes and what's on offer. Thanks a lot again!

[chuckd74]

thanks very much to everyone who took some time to enlighten as @ Russia

therefore, I will spend another year building my cash reserve in the middle East and look at Russia again in 2010

Question @ long term (5 to 10 years or life)
I am an American from Los Angeles, tried to start a school in China for 3 years, unpleasant learning experience

If I lean Russian , is it possible to do very well in Moscow with enough effort and connections?

or is it mostly luck?

[maruss]

Don't even think about it pal!You really have no idea of the bureaucratic nightmare it would involve,plus all the 'kickbacks' you would have to pay to crooked officials at every stage!Save your sanity-there are better and far easier places to make money!This is already such enormous competition there anyway and I know of only one British guy who succeeded and he's married to a Russian women.He hasn't posted recently either and was already thinking of going abroad next year....