Job Discussion Forums

sisyphus · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 170

To anyone who knows the teaching scene in Belarus- is it possible to open your own language school there? Whats the general demand for english . general and corporate? I presume its pretty flat but any thoughts . I know IH have an operation there so there must be business !!

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Belarus is tightly regulated. Currently operating schools have to jump through a lot of hoops to get a full licence, i.e. so they can employ foreign teachers. So, for you to do so is highly improbable if not impossible. The demand is high, but students have a limited income.

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

I'd watch the news a little bit about Belarus. Things aren't going so well here at the moment. Then again you never know, in the middle of a crisis might be the best time to set up a business. The business will need to be 50% owned by a Belarusian. All your prices will also have to be set in Roubles and only changed once a year or something like that.

Good luck!

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

re 50% ownership: I didn't know that so I stand corrected and apologise.
Good luck. I think you'll find a lot of local English teachers in Belarus, although another option would be to go into partnership with one or two of the newer schools which are run by individual teachers turned business people.