Job Discussion Forums

[dirimini]

I'm rather new to these boards, and am considering a career in ESL, especially in Russia. I've read much here about the hand-to-mouth existence of a fresh ESL teacher working for one of the McSchools, and wonder what more seasoned forumites make of the following statement on the Language Link site:

"If you are the type who enjoys home cooking and/ or fast food, the occasional nice restaurant, beer/ wine at home or with friends, walking in parks, exploring back streets, local haunts and museums, then you will lead an extraordinary lifestyle. You will manage not only to satisfy your needs but also save money for internal travel or to return home with. If on the other hand, you wish to lead the lifestyle of an ex-pat in need of the savour of fine cuisine, popping the cork on a bottle of Bordeaux, taking a taxi instead of the bus or metro and/ or being first on the club scene, you will find that 1) Russia is not for you and 2) neither is the lifestyle of a teacher."

I lived in Russia (in Piter) in 2003 and 2004, doing research on a grant, and was in fact able to live modestly on the money (with some even left over). However, I'm wondering if Language Link's assertions ring true - either to those who have experienced this company first hand, or those who have close relationships with others who have.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[dirimini]

To the person who PM'ed me, thanks for your response; I was not able to respond directly, as I haven't reached the 25-post minimum necessary to do so.

Thanks for the candor and the information.

[dirimini]

**Shameless bump**

(Hoping to get some replies...)

[maruss]

..and hope you reach the limit soon!
Take care!

[txmsk]

I know from an acquaintance that their salaries are below $1000, even below 800 if I am correct. They do provide housing, but with a salary like that, about 1/3 to 1/2 will go to food alone.

[dirimini]

[spiral78]

Oh, I expect it would be quite extraordinary at that! Extraordinarily tight...difficult...scary

[txmsk]

bus ticket = 25 rubles
metro ticket, 3 month unlimited = 2500 rubles (I think)
1 liter of pasteurized milk = 33 - 38 rubles
1 kg of cheese = from 250 - 300 rubles
Internet service = 500 - 700/month
mobile phone service = from 1.5 - 3 rubles/minute
calling a mobile from a landline = 1.6 rubles/minute (this used to be free)


clothes = extremely expensive, cause it's all imported
high prices = paid by stupid consumers because high prices = high quality HAHA
discounts = a discount is considered between 2 and 4 percent off the original

books = cheap, even grammar/course/skills books are cheap cause you get a teacher discount

So as you can see, you'd need to really supplement your income with private students, but first you'd have to know where to find them.

[maruss]

finding those extra students could be a big problem with the way things are nowadays.Just like people in many other countries,Russians are also trying to economise.This is not to say that there are no private students at all of course-I know of several long-established teachers in Moscow who are thriving on them,especially for IELTS because Russians see it as a ticket to working abroad,but for a newcomer the situation is pretty bleak.It is also the beginning of the 'dacha disease' season when everyone seems to want to escape Moscow during their free time and this has always been a bad time for finding teaching work anyway.

[dirimini]

[dirimini]

[Eamonn]

[yakov1]

I currently work for LL in Volgograd, which is of course not Moscow.

we make just over $1000 a month. I am leaving as my contract is expiring and taking up a job with another language school who pay about 5000 roubles more a month AND have more than a dozen hours of free russian lessons for all teachers. Since i have been paying for that(because i want to learn russian) then that is a good deal for me.

Things are a little bit cheaper here in some areas(bus ticket 10 roubles) but food and clothes are more expensive than Moscow, which is always something that annoys the locals.

I have to say I live okay but i have supplementary money-but then i eat out every night and never cook at home. i have bought a ton of stuff here.

Interesting thing is,due to my habit of eating out, i actually have less money than the other teachers who rely solely on their salary. They all go out for drinks once or twice a week, and one of them is dating a series of Russian girls and seems to be able to afford it. Indeed, at the other extreme, we have on teacher who goes out a lot with her students to events and things but i guess doesn't spend a lot of money-she saves $500 a month from her salary which is truly impressive.

So despite what some on the forum say, you can live just fine on LL wage. None of our teachers supplement there salary with privates, some have occasionally in the past but found they couldn't be bothered teaching more hours. it is afterall a lifestyle choice too, i mean it is ONLY 20-25 hours a week work max....and in spite of what some have posted about the economy-there are plenty of private students who will pay a lot of money if you want them. LL schools are not really that cheap to study at in the first place.

[uzbekpk]

Yakov,

You mentioned finding a good school with decent Russian instruction in addition to a good rate of pay. Would you mind sharing the name of this school with an experienced General English teacher looking for a friendly/reliable school?

Thanks,
Kellyanne.

[freechic1776]

Thanks everybody for all of the information. I am in a similar position and am trying to become as prepared as possible for life in Russia. I noticed someone said 1/3 to 1/2 of the LL salary will go towards food. Of what does the average Russian diet consist? What other expenses can I expect when I first arrive?

Thanks!