Job Discussion Forums

[vanillasky]

If you could choose one city which to live and work as an ESL teacher which would it be and why?
Moscow
St. Petersburg
other smaller russian city
Prague
Krakow
Kiev
I am a little torn because I was origionally intending to go to Russia to complete my CELTA, or training, and find employment there as well. The main reason for this is not for the glamour of liveing in Russia, clearly, but because I am familiar with the language and culture, and would like to further my language skills.
However, there seems to be a lot of doom and gloom posts in the Russian forum. Then when I go to look at the CZK forums for instance, I see mostly positive experiences. Prague seems much more pleasant. Also, the CELTA programmes are cheaper. They almost have me sold on Prague, but there is something major missing......no Russian language and culture .
Does anyone have any recommendations as to a good Russian speaking city to study and live in? In those cities, can you recommend a starter school? I do not want to live in the middle of knowhere, and develop a major depression. Some of the stories I've heard of Moscow are a little scary as well. So I don't know where to go!
Also, do you think it would be helpful to complete my CELTA training in Russia if I am intending to find work there, or does it not matter really?
When is a good time to complete a CELTA in Russia? Is it realistic to find work immediately following the course training, or will I need to fly back to the US, find work, then back to Russia again anyways?
help please!!!
thanks

[Sashadroogie]

Hi vanillasky

I won't be put off by all the scare stories about Moscow, especially on the Russian forum here. I've been here for a few years and I have to say I enjoy it, despite some of the inevitable hardships that must be endured. You could do the CELTA at BKC Moscow, and probaby get your first contract with them. They are a sweatshop, and will work you hard, but they are the standard point of entry to Moscow for most people, and also a good entre to TEFL too. BKC will be like a nanny, and take care of all your visa and housing needs. But, just be aware that, also nanny-like, they'll treat you like a child on other issues and scold you if they think you do something naughty, like not be available to teach in two locations at once

They can also do magic things with paper work and convert all types of visas for successful CELTA trainees who sign work contracts, so probably, you'll not need to fly home after the course. Incidentally, it won't really matter much where you take the course.

If you can speak some Russian already, I think you'll have fewer problems than others who come here. And here is certainly not the middle of nowhere...

Can't speak about Prague, or any visa issues you might have there as a US citizen, or the relative prices etc. But Moscow sounds like a better option for you than perhaps it seems.

Good luck in any case!

[coledavis]

I don't think employers are too bothered about where you took your CELTA. If you do it in your home country, you learn in the challenging (but often fun) environment of multilingual classes. If you do it in Russia, however, you are more tuned to the monolingual class of that country. More useful, however, is that you can go walkabout and see potential employers and their schools while you're there.

[coledavis]

A lot of people like Novosibirsk. And there are vacancies for native speakers there and in the surrounding areas (e.g. Akademgorodok, Barnaul).

[vanillasky]

Thanks for the input! I actually have a couple native Russian friends in Novosibirsk. So that city has crossed my mind as well. I also have native CZK friends living in Prague, and native Ukranian friends living in Kiev. Both think their city is the place to be. I don't personally know anyone in Moscow though. I guess that should not be the deciding factor, however, it can be helpful I'm sure to know someone.
My origional plan was definitely Moscow, but now i am just all over the place, and going crazy with confusion as to which is the best choice. I wonder if there is a training programme in Novosibirsk?
I have done my research on BKC. It seems to be a little better organized and professional than LL. Even though I know are both "Mcdonald" schools as you guys call them .
So it sounds like completing the course maybe over the summer, then hanging out looking for employment immediately following would not be a bad idea. Another worry I have is that I will be like a little ant in the palm of their hands if I go this route with BKC. Meaning, knowing that I am already there, and need them for employment, they could just stick me somewhere where I wouldn't want to be, such as Zelenograd! No offence to anyone living there now, but this is one example of a Russian town that I don't want to live in. If this happens, then I will be in a crunch looking for employment at the last minute. Hmmmmm

[coledavis]

I know schools in Novosibirsk that take native speakers, but I think you'd need to take your CELTA somewhere else and then apply. (When you're on the course and near the end, contact me and I'll try to help with suggestions.)

[jpvanderwerf2001]

1. L'viv
2. Kyiv
3. Some other small Russian city
Good luck!

[Sashadroogie]

[vanillasky]

Thanks. After sniffing out the forum some more, and doing some of my own research, Samara and Krasnodar (Sochi) also looks very appealing to me. Does anyone know if BKC CELTA programme has a good comprehensive list and contacts for some of the other schools in other cities in Russia?

[Sashadroogie]

Yes, they do in fact. BKC is connected with ATEEL, so they should be able to point the way after CELTA completion. However, I don't think they officially include that as part of the service they offer. Anyway, here's a link to ATEEL in Russia:

http://www.ateel.org/

[vanillasky]

Thanks! I don't know what I would do without this forum.

[freechic1776]

Just curious, but what is wrong with Zelenograd. Specifics please. I'm a newbie who is supposed to be moving there in the fall, and I would like to be as prepared as possible. Any and all information is appreciated.

If it helps, a little about me. I'm not a real party goer and can be just as comfortable and content reading a book as a night out on the town. I prefer nature to cement and steel. I enjoy walking about towns and don't mind traveling distances.

[Sashadroogie]

PM sent.