Job Discussion Forums

[Augustus]

Hello

I finished my CELTA certificate on Tuesday YAY!!

I have come across something re volunteering in Russia (Vladimir specifically). It seems to be a good scheme but not paid and it would involve stopping in a homestead. I am not too keen on the idea as I am 30 years old and enjoy my independence. However, it could be good and they do say they only want you for a minimum of a term....

On the other hand, I've come across International House Moscow and that looks pretty damm good too.

I wondered if anyone had any experience of either of these companies and could offer any insight.

They mention the cost of living so I wondered how well the wage enables a teacher to manage to live. I am interested in positions with support as although I have got through the course I am not a confident person so wouldn't do well with a sink/swim type approach.

Aug

[coledavis]

International House comes under the term 'McSchool'. Look up references to this in the Newbie forums. Basically: it's good for new teachers and people new to Russia, as they look after a lot of the 'how to' issues. However, you won't get paid much for your work and come year 2, you'll probably change employers.

Volunteering is volunteering. The problem with only doing one term is that paid employment is typically from September until the summer, so you may foul up your chances of getting paid work for the year.

[spiral78]

Russian students can be quite tough and demanding. Might not be the gentlest of starts in general....maybe consider someplace where the students are a bit softer and more polite....Luxembourg? Belgium?

[Augustus]

Hello

Thank for the replies. I guess a "McSchool" would be ideal, and changing jobs after the first year, well that's inevitable really as I will likely want to move on.... Whether that be within Russia or not I don't know. I haven't really experienced a truly "off-road" holiday so its all going to be a very new experience for me. I am a little concerned about getting my course transcript as I know aspects of my planning are likely to be classed as "below" but I guess I can only try.....

The volunteering role I'm thinking that I could apply and always say no at a later stage if I managed to secure something else.... it looks like an OK opportunity even with living in a homestead (the bit that puts me off as you really can never tell what standards people set for others) as they are paying a Stipend/pocket money which according to the email sent by the organizer is enough to live comfortably (specially since everything is provided).

I will look in to International House in other parts of the world.

I'm worried that I will end up with nothing and have to wait another term before I can start again........

[coledavis]

I wouldn't worry about the transcript. Employers want the certificate itself and usually a copy of the college's reference.

I was a little concerned about 'a truly "off-road" holiday'. You will find when you start your paid job that you will be expected to work. I accept that 'a change is as good as a break', but do remember that it is a job and your employers and students will expect you to take it seriously.

[spiral78]

homestead

I hope they mean a homestay, and not a farm (homestead).
First year of teaching is no holiday regardless of where you go!
And keep in mind that most of Western/Central Europe's hiring season is September, and there is little going on in the summertime anyway.
Another idea: why not try a summer school gig (Malta, for example, has many of these) and then move on to a full contract period in September?

A homestay in Russia is by no means an easy way to break into teaching EFL, IMO.

[coledavis]

And if you're not used to Russian food, you might find it a bit awkward if presented by whatever is on the family's dinner plate.

[maruss]

Living and working in Moscow is not a holiday by any definition and indeed all of Russia is hardly an ideal destination for a first-timer to break into teaching, for so many reasons which you can read about at leisure under many postings on this site!!
As for food, I'd agree 100% with Cole-many Russians survive on basic fare and would definitely not cater for any 'food faddies!'(I'm one myself so I know what you mean...)

[RoscoeTX]

[eastside24]

If you have a CELTA, you really don't have to settle with volunteering stuff if you don't want. Are you currently in the US? You could probably volunteer at home for a little bit at a public library helping immigrants with ESL and then apply for some schools in Russia- you can show that you have a CELTA and a bit of experience, though it isn't at a school.

Don't be too afraid of Russia. In my opinion, it's fine to go there for a first teaching job. I don't know if there is really an "easy" place to go for a first time. I think the hardest thing is just getting your teaching skills down. The CELTA prepared me really well, but I taught ESL in the USA for like 5 months before I really started to feel like a "good" teacher.

[coledavis]

Schee - aka boiled sock
Meat or whatever in aspic
The Purple Beast aka 'fish in a coat' - raw marinated fish underneath layers of carrot and whatever and topped up with beetroot. A much relished salad.
Dried fish or strings of cheese with your beer.
I don't even want to think of some of the rissoles I've endured.

[catbhn21]

Have you ever had sala? Cured pork fat, sliced on bread? It's gross but really tasty when you've had too much vodka (or samagon).

I love some Russian food (semga and borsch), hate other aspects of the cuisine (I can't bring myself to eat holodets and I don't care for red caviar). The inaccessibility of most vegetables and legumes is what drives me crazy. Produce is truly seasonal, which as a spoiled American is frustrating. But having lived near the border of Kazakhstan near the forest steppe, I must say the melons and pears from Central Asia and the berries from the forest are some of the best fruits I've ever eaten.

[coledavis]

That's funny, red caviar is one of the things I like.

[maruss]

if you are lucky enough to live somewhere like that where you have easy access to fresh fruit and veg. well done! Most Russians pay very high prices for these in cities and a lot of it is imported, probably several months old and treated with all sorts of things to preserve it.......consequently people eat what they can afford, which sadly is often food that is not nourishing and healthy: combined with alcohol and tobacco, pollution and stress etc., no wonder the statistics for health in Russia are so poor!
Of course there are plenty of other countries with even more appalling situations!

[Sashadroogie]

Now, now, Maruss. Russian food is the best in the world. Please do not try to frighten off would-be newcomers.

Caviar is delicious! Especially when washed down by copious shots of vodka! Yum!