Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I've noticed quite a few newbies on the Russian board who are asking about coming here to teach: kudos and good luck to all of you.
I thought a post on some aspects of living in Russia might be of some use. Now, of course everyone will have his/her own experiences, which might differ wildly from mine. That's to be expected, and that input would greatly benefit those thinking of moving to this unique country, I think.
Some of what I write will have already been posted somewhere else on this site, either in a post like mine or strewn out in many posts. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here, just attempting some kind of service to those new to Russia. With that...

* Expect to start with a "McSchool" (such as EF, Language Link, IH...). I can tell you from experience that attaining proper work visas is no picnic here (at least at the moment) for employers, and most of the big schools will have the lawyers to get this done. This is why it would be easier to hit the ground with one of them. As to working conditions, etc., they vary from school to school; some great, some poor. My first four years here were spent with EF; I found it a decent enough place to settle in with;
* Embrace ambiguity. If ambiguity frightens you, then I highly recommend you reconsider your move to Russia, especially if you hope to stay for a long time;
* Have realistic expectations about daily living. If you think that moving to Russia will be an 'adventure' and forget that you actually have to live here, you are probably in for a bit of a shock;
* Learn patience. High-strung? Type A personality? Hate when people aren't punctual? Dislike disorganization? If the answer is 'yes' to some or all of those, I would again think twice about moving to Russia;
* Be realistic about costs. Russia is not cheap. If you want to live a nightclub lifestyle, then you had better make nightclub-type money. If you plan to eat out everyday, it will cost you. If you insist on Western products, they will be costly (import taxes are high here). Now, you can live cheaply as well--grechka three times a day for instance, but that's not for everyone. Just be aware of the costs compared to what you're going to be making. This is a terrible place to be broke;
* Learn some Russian. You'd do yourself quite a favor to at least learn to read and communicate simple phrases in Russian. English speakers are still quite a rarity here, especially outside of Moscow/St Pete;
* Stay positive. It is very easy to become a grumpy Gary here in Russia. Don't fall into that trap. It is possible to be both optimistic and realistic while living here; in fact, I'd argue that these are essential to making a go of it while in Russia;
* Try to make Russian friends and contacts. Do not rely on expats for all your social and professional support. While having expats around to chat with is great, Russians know their country best, and--especially if you want to make a long-term go of it here, can prove invaluable; and
* Make sure to ask many, many questions to your potential employer, and that you have a clear understanding of your contract!

I hope all of this isn't super obvious and "unuseful" (as my students like to say). I also hope that you heed the advice offered by teachers who have lived here a while. Their insight just might help your Russian experience become a great one.
Cheers.

[spiral78]

Very useful post! It will be a good one to bump up over time as the newbies drop in.

May I add one item, not necessarily specific to Russia, but applicable there - I think?

* Plan to stay at least one 8-9 month contract period. Don't expect to feel 'settled' or 'at home' for the first six months or so. It takes some time to get oriented and to establish routines and relationships. Expect to feel disoriented and challenged by daily details for a while (related to the point about ambiguity). Evaluate your life in Russia when it's time to sign a second contract (or not). Try not to get frustrated and leave early unless you've got some serious issue(s) with your employer or other imperative reason.

[Peg Leg Pete]

Good post, and one that should be a sticky. After all advice and information are probably what brings most people here- well that's why I signed up.

I think the best bit of advice I could give any newbie heading for Russia would be:
1. Check out your would be employer as much as you can.
2. Don't sign the contract if you are not happy with it-do not accept verbal assurances that all will be ok.
3. Be prepared for the fact that you ain't in Kansas anymore Dorothy. Russia is different.

[Jazziz23]

Good stuff, thanks!

[AK_to_RU]

I second that. We'll take any info we can get. Keep it coming!

[Sashadroogie]

Good advice indeed. But something about the learner types might be useful too. You will find many, many learners who are ferociously well-read and educated and so will not be easily impressed with rambling non-lessons. "Life-experience" teachers generally don't do so well here if they have nothing more concrete to offer.

Be prepared to actually teach the learners something...

[spiral78]

They're also pressed for time and energy and usually want something concrete to show for the time they are spending with you. Value for money/time is important!!

[-chris]

great postings everyone!!! Marvellous jobs!

This place is a whole lot more encouraging and supportive than any other I've ever experienced.

Just my little opinion. Since, as far as I've noticed, there aren't many English schools (whether public / private) in Russia as compared with other countries such as Korea and Japan, wOuldn't it be great if we let each other know which school we've been / will be working with so we will be able to talk to those who're working / have worked in the same school? Maybe there's one / two co-workers that you've always wanted to get to know them / talk about the company you both have been working with but never got the chance to do so.

What do you think?

[maruss]

Some firms seem to deliberately try to stop staff from becoming well-acquainted,especially foreign teachers,probably to hide their own dishonesty about what they are paying them etc!Solidarity is something many Russian employers fear...remember authority in Russia is based on the power-vertical from the top downwards and this applies right from the Kremlin!Keeping others in the dark and creating an atmosphere of mis-trust where everyone fears their superiors is part of the control mechanism and I experienced it at one firm I worked for.......

[Sashadroogie]

Tell us more....

[-chris]

[maruss]

One firm I worked for employed other expat teachers,mostly on a freelance basis and naturally I thought it would be a good idea for us all to get to know each other and arrange to meet-up socially etc....but when I asked the co-ordinator she was reluctant to give me their names or any other contact info. and as we all tended to go to the office at different times the chances of us all meeting there were most unlikely.Thinking this very strange,I pressed for more explanations,then she told me discreetly that the director had given her strict instructions that teachers were not supposed to 'fraternise' because it would 'lead to problems' with the smooth running of the firm etc.etc?'Of course behind this facade was the fact that people were receiving different hourly rates for the same work,as well as other monkey business:not only myself but also other teachers were sometimes told that a class was 'cancelled' only to discover that it had been given to another teacher without any explanation,as I found out when I met one of my students metro!She told me that the firm had said that I was' too ill' to continue teaching their group so they had been given a new teacher,but nobody believed this excuse......The atmosphere in the firm was often strained because of the way the staff felt intimidated by the director,staff turnover was high and the Russian employees were very poorly paid,compared to what we received.I'm not saying that all firms are as bad of course but such situations are quite common in Russia,as you can read from various postings on this forum.If you go and work in a provincial town and end up with these kind of problems,you are in the worst predicament as the chances of you finding other work there may be zero.

[Sashadroogie]

Cripes. Nothing to do in that situation except drink...

[Peg Leg Pete]

[smithrn1983]