Job Discussion Forums

[MadGoldfish]

Ahh Russia!

Done loads and loads of research on this and I've found a school which offers more cash than the classic mcschools for teachers with no exp. (I've got a celta and 4 years sales experience but no teaching exp.).

They came across as pretty friendly actually, although they've been badmouthed in one post on this forum. Not gonna name names obviously.

Just got my contract through (in English, I've asked for one in Russian) and it seems ok. Some things though:
1) no hourly rate stated on the contract
2) financial penalties for being late (this seems steep but fuckit I just won't be late)
3) no guarantee they'll be able to give me the maximum hours per week. I've worked it out though, and even on the minimum, which they do guarantee between october/may, it's still more than what other schools were quoting.
4) not getting paid for no work - i.e over holidays.

Probably all good right?

On another issue, would you guys recommend getting some experience before coming over - I can potentially work in a summer school for a few weeks...

Would a summer school (which seems like it has lots of activities etc) be good preparation for formal classroom teaching? Or would it be better to get some money in to prepare me for the lean months ahead?

In other info, I speak Russian, been there a few times, and my partner has a flat in moscow.

I'm trying to look forward to the whole thing but I've read so much about all the schools screwing you that I'm a bit paranoid!!

Any advice/pointers very much appreciated...

[Sashadroogie]

Dear MadGoldfish

Can't really help too much, but I do not much like the sound of it. Point 4 is illegal for a start, and the point 3 comes across as you taking all the risks for them.

I think I can guess which school it is, though maybe I'm losing my touch.

Good luck in any case.

Sasha

[MadGoldfish]

Hi Sasha, thanks.

Well, I guess for anyone who knows Moscow it should be pretty obvious. Basically, I'm not up for working for one of the chains and if it's going be a small school I might as well earn slightly more cash. This is all a way for me to get completely fluent in Russian and be with my gf for a couple of years before she moves back to UK anyway, so as long as I break even without too much drama it's all good.

Any tips on the visa/flight situation? Are they legally required to provide financial support for this? How do I go about getting the cash off them? I assume I'll have to pay for it all to begin with...

It's been ignored so far, and I didn't ask about it before they offered me the job. (I haven't signed a contract yet and as far as I can gather there's barely any point unless they do send me a Russian one).

Just wasn't thinking really.

[Peg Leg Pete]

[quote="MadGoldfish"]
Just got my contract through (in English, I've asked for one in Russian) and it seems ok. Some things though:
1) no hourly rate stated on the contract
2) financial penalties for being late (this seems steep but fuckit I just won't be late)
3) no guarantee they'll be able to give me the maximum hours per week. I've worked it out though, and even on the minimum, which they do guarantee between october/may, it's still more than what other schools were quoting.
4) not getting paid for no work - i.e over holidays.

Probably all good right?

Firstly, the contract should be in English and Russian. Two sides of the page. That is legal.
No hourly rate? So it could change and you get paid a lot less? Sounds great.
You won't be late?? Welcome to Moscow. Traffic. Overcrowding. Etc. I've been late once in two years, but then I leave very early. And even then it can be a close call.
No guarantee of number of hours? And no hourly rate? Good luck!
4 is illegal.

I'd avoid such an offer. It's up to you, but it doesn't look too good to me.

[MadGoldfish]

Thanks for the advice pegleg, but it looks like I don't have much choice.

Applying from UK with no previous experience remember. They claimed they don't have a Russian version of the contract because they only deal with english speakers! Clearly this is BS and they'll send the genuine russian contract (with additional benefits they're not paying me) to the immigration services and I'll never see it.

However, I don't want to force the issue because I do need a job. I'd rather leave early than work for 30k a month. I've been to Moscow before so I know what to expect.

Also this school doesn't have a heavy business focus, and so only one day a week will involve traveling around Moscow. Apart from that it's probably about 45 mins on the metro from my gf's flat to their location.

Also, if that contract isn't legal then they can't enforce those harsh clauses can they? Or maybe they can, who knows. Or maybe they can try, and watch me walk out of the door to another company I've gone to directly once I'm on the ground in the city & have a bit of exp.

---I've got another q... For the letter of invitation, do they actually call up your current employer? Coz I haven't told them I'm leaving yet!

[MadGoldfish]

Also, they are now putting the hourly rate & minimum number of hours on the contract. The illegal English contract! Oh God. Welcome to Russia. Still, I'm well up for it. Curse my love of Russia and its amazing language!

[ancient_dweller]

i doubt they call your current employer.

Ye, contracts shmomtracks, you are right to not worry about them. They there as a written understanding between you and the school. No legal value whatsoever. They are a good indicator of the attitude of the school though. I have signed many a contract and never turned back to it. At the end of the day, you teach the lesson - you get paid, you don't teach the lesson (for whatever reason - student doesn't show up, you'll ill etc...) - you don't get paid.

Some of them who do give you legal contracts might try to define you as self-employed or something and that you're responsible for your own legal status including taxes. I'm not sure if those are valid either...

Just relax and keep on good terms, in the end, it will boil down to good relationships. The contract won't help anybody if the relations break down.

[ancient_dweller]

awful grammar - sorry

[Sashadroogie]

Not many good relationships with this school in question. Personally, I wouldn't work there now, but as an entre for the OP, why not? The same nonsense as many a mac school, but seems to pay slightly more. Come over, eyes open, and move out. But don't expect anything like a gentleman's agreement to be honoured.

[MadGoldfish]

Thanks for the advice guys, some good points there. I've got one other school I'm going to try, maybe set up a meeting with them (I'm coming to Moscow in June on a tourist visa).

I have to say though, that I 'got offered' a job by one of the supposedly reputable schools. Or at least one that someone on here said 'is an ok school to work for' and they were so blase about the whole thing, they couldn't have cared less. They offered me a job without an interview, and told me that I'd have to do up to 4 client meetings on site a day, probably a minimum of 2. And that was for the same cash as the school I've finally gone for.

All is not roses for someone with no experience applying from outside Russia!

So I'm gonna try and get the dragon onside quick as possible so I get paid on time, or at least near to time. I'm preparing myself for a pretty tough 3 months of working v hard, leaving early to avoid penalties and general miscellaneous hassle. Then get the extension to the visa, go see a decent school face to face and it's see you later, thanks for your slightly above macschool wage!

Either way, it can't be as bad as working in media sales. (Famous last words).

[ancient_dweller]

good luck! Let us know how you get on!

[MadGoldfish]

Right.

Advice taken. Too many people have warned me strongly about the original school. New school on the go. I cold called them and they responded well.

Legal contract with no funny stuff, Russian down one side, English down the other.

Seems like it'll be split shifts and 2-4 client sites a day but I reckon it'd be worth it for less drama, and according to a lot of you guys split shifts/client meetings are necessary to get your foot in the door.

Holiday pay etc etc.

Phew.

[spiral78]

I think you'll find split shifts hard to get away from - they are largely the norm when working with businesspeople throughout European region.

Best to learn to embrace them and enjoy, if possible!

[MadGoldfish]