Job Discussion Forums

teacher X · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:37 am Post subject: How long have you lived here?

I am frequently asked the somewhat impossible question of "How long will you stay in Moscow?"
It's a question I really can't answer and generally respond with "As long as I stay".

What it comes down to is how long I think I can continue to teach ESL and make money. I still have this strange feeling that ESL teaching isn't a real job and that I will have to give it up at some point and find myself a 'real' job. Of course, it very much is a real job, but possibly due to the lack of stable 9-5 hours it just doesn't feel like one.

I think it's fairly safe to say, that barring any major issues, I will finish a year and continue into a second year here. Beyond that, I have no idea.

So, how long have you guys been here and do you plan on staying FOREVER?! Do you have any plans regarding this?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:45 am Post subject:

What exactly is a 'real job'? I have a had a few, very different positions, and most of them had the same air of unreality that TEFL can have. The only exceptions were the ones involving honest-to-god physical labour. That felt like real work, but the pay didn't seem to suggest it was.

You have a real job, Teacher X. And you are in the Workers' Paradise. What on Earth more could you desire? To be mortaged up to the hilt in Piggieland, a wage-slave suffering in a mutlinational office cubicle for the rest of your natural life?

Sit down and have a shot of vodka. Everything will look much clearer then...

Foma87 · Joined: 13 Sep 2011 Posts: 116 Location: Moscow

I plan to stay here longterm, but certainly not working in ESL. I think being an English teacher is a real job (if you take it seriously), and an interesting, flexible and rewarding one at that. The only problem is that there is no real career advancement (besides being a more effective teacher). Because of this, you'll find that you'll've reached the maximum amount of money you can make being an English teacher within, I'd wager, 3-5 yrs. For many this is not a problem at all, though (for the reasons stated above).

But if you love Russia, you could still get what you term as a 'real job' here, but this would probably involve learning a bit of, well, Russian. In this case, you could transfer the skills you've picked up in ESL into another profession rather easily. Some even get postgraduate degrees here (which is much cheaper than their British or American equivalents) to facilitate their career growth in Russia.

I'd also agree w/ Sasha. Working a 9-5, especially in an office, often feels less like a 'real job' than being an English teacher. I'd say the former is often times much more narrow, dim and removed from reality than the latter...

RoscoeTX · Joined: 06 Jul 2012 Posts: 56 Location: Moscow, Russia

Agree with the posters above. ESL teaching in Russia is a real job with unique demands and challenges. I specify 'in Russia' because I have only taught in Russia. And sure, just like any job, it all depends on how much you put into it and I feel like there is some potential for career advancement if you make a plan and set some goals. It does still amaze me how much money there is to be made here, if you have your visa sorted out and get signed up with a few of the repetitor sites, especially those sites not exactly catering to expats or English language friendly. I put my profile on some Russian language tutor sites and am steadily bombarded by potential students.

As far as my time here, looks like I am being released on good behavior. Five years into a potential life sentence and I'm making a break for it.

in all honesty, I've enjoyed my time in Moscow. Married and had a kid, all in 5 years and plus made some great contacts which will in fact help me to land a decent position back in the States. A position which is not in teaching. Luckily, I have been able to branch out a bit away from only teaching here in Moscow and it made things much more interesting and rewarding. Even been able to save a few bucks during my time in this super expensive city. So go figure...maybe there is something to all this red progaganda mumbo jumbo that SashaD spews on a regular basis)

teacher X · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:29 pm Post subject:

Oh I completely agree that ESL is a real job. But I guess it's a life of being told that a real job involves sitting in an office 9-5 and getting yourself a huge mortgage.

So Sasha...what about my question? Wink

I take it that you're here for the long term.

I just wonder if it's possible to grow old here whilst teaching English.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject:

Yip. Been here since 17 April 2007.

We are all growing older, as we speak. Even if you don't teach...

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:40 pm Post subject:

Red propaganda mumbo-jumbo? I disseminate nothing but the truth! The historically inevitable truth. That's how dialectical materialism works. Hic!

If you want propaganda mumbo-jumbo, look at the US press's reaction to an Obama speech which didn't embrace enough the spurious myth of exceptionalism hic!

teacher X · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:49 am Post subject:

My mind is blown.

Would any of you consider naturalisation? The rules seem vague on whether you would be forced to give up your previous nationality. If I did plan on staying here, I would apply for citizenship, but there's no way I'm giving up my British citizenship also. I'm greedy, I want both.

edit: Ahhh *beep* it. I just discovered that you can apply for permanent residence permits. That's easier.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:26 am Post subject:

Do you still need to apply in writing to leave the country if you have residency?

teacher X · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 1:08 pm Post subject:

I didn't see. I only skimmed the information.

expatella_girl · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:30 am Post subject:

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:59 am Post subject:

Aha! Didn't know that. Cheers.

expatella_girl · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:05 am Post subject:

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:46 am Post subject:

Already have my dacha fully stocked up for my retirement...

Chancellor · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:37 pm Post subject:

I get the same "How long have you lived here?" question here in Kazakhstan, as well as the other one about how long I plan to be here. I've been here since the end of June and my contract is for a year. After that, I don't know. If I decide to stay in KZ, I'll probably look for something in a warmer part of the country.