Job Discussion Forums

d.c.young · Joined: 27 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

I'm a first time teacher interested in teaching English in St Petersburg or Moscow. I have a few questions I was hoping could get answered by the seasoned pros. I've already read just about every post from the last three years so most of my questions are answered. I know some things change (like salary) so a few of my questions may seem redundant. First a little background on me. I'm a 41 year old single Caucasian American man with a BA in Mass Communication. I come from a business background with 10+ years of experience in supervising and management. I have no teaching experience with the exception of many years of employee training.

� Is it safe to live there?
I've read several posts here stating it is a dangerous place to live.
� Which companies do you recommend and which companies should I avoid?
I know that I should go through McSchools first.
� What type of salary can I expect as a beginner? Once I am established, how much money can I expect from teaching on the side (per hour)?
� As an American how difficult is it to date women and meet friends?
� If I obtain my own living accommodations can I expect more income from my employer?
� How is the live music scene there?
Performing and watching live performances is one of my favorite pastimes.
� How difficult is it to maintain healthy eating habits?
I'm not a vegetarian but about half my diet comes from fruits and vegetables.
� Are there any ethnic restaurants there like Italian and Mexican?
VERY IMPORTANT!!! =]
� What are some items I cannot get in Russia that I will probably wish I had brought with me?
� If I come to Russia to take a CELTA course will they provide living accommodations?
� If I am hired while in Russia will I still be reimbursed for my flight cost from my point of origin?
� Any recommendations on locations other than St Petersburg or Moscow?
� I�d like to stay on the west side of the country, perhaps even in the Ukraine.

Thanks in advance.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

I'll take a crack at answering your questions

safety - It's no more dangerous here than in the States. Keep your head about you, and you'll be fine.

Schools - without experience you'll probably start with a McSchool. I've never worked for one in Moscow, so I can't really comment on them.

Salary - the standard McSchool salary these days is $1000USD/month with provided shared accommodation, visa and flight reimbursement. Expect a 9-12 month contract. Private lessons pay on the order of 2500-3500RUB/90 minute lesson.

Friends/Dating - I haven't had a problem with either, though if you don't speak Russian that will certainly limit your potential dating pool. Being American has never been a problem for me here.

Accommodation - ask the school when you interview with them

Live music - Moscow certainly gets its share of good bands. There are some jazz and rock festivals here every year, and some clubs do a good job of bringing in quality bands. 16 Tons comes to mind immediately. The cover charge there is usually $30USD for a concert, and $15 if there's just a DJ.

Eating - Eating healthy food can be done if you eat at home. Russian food itself isn't all that healthy. There are a few Mexican restaurants in Moscow. Pancho Villa isn't bad. Russians are also a little obsessed with Italy, so there are plenty of Italian restaurants, though most of the ones I have tried aren't that good. Pizza Express is good, and easily fits into a teacher's budget.

What should you bring with you? - any electronics, good shoes and high quality clothes. It's not that you can't find them here; it's just that they are MUCH more expensive. If there's anything special you have in mind, ask here and we'll tell you if you can find it.

CELTA with accommodation - don't know

Reimbursement for flights - ask when you are interviewed

Recommendations for other locations - You can usually find work in Krasnodar or Rostov (southern Russia near the Black Sea), Volgograd (on the Volga in southern Russia) and Ekaterinburg (southern Urals).

Hope this helps, and don't be afraid to ask if you need anything else.

d.c.young · Joined: 27 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

Thanks for the reply, all the locations you suggested look very interesting. For the past 6 years I have lived in a community of only 38k people and I really want to get back to a 1+million population. It surprises me that so many cities in Russia are at or beyond 1+million people, even in Siberia. I really need to keep my options open. Do you know anything about Ukraine?

thx

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

nothing first hand, but i think there are a couple of posters here who have some experience there. I hear pay is much lower, but cost of living might be, too. I also know a good number of Ukrainians who came to Moscow or Russia because they have better job prospects here.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Re Ukraine - there is usually plenty of work in Kiev. Schools vary in quality. Other cities also possible. Suggest Ukraine board for more information.

d.c.young · Joined: 27 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

There is no Ukraine board, and they are considered an unofficial member of the CIS so I'm pretty sure this is the Ukraine board. But thx anyways.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Please don't gainsay me without making any effort. If you go to the index page
- http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/
you will see the link to the Ukraine board. And just in case you still can't see said link, here is the Ukraine board:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=54

d.c.young · Joined: 27 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

At the top of this page there is a link titled stuff for teachers, under that link are the links for the various boards. One of the links is International Job Forum > Europe > Russia and C.I.S., there is no link there for Ukraine. That is why I said that I was pretty sure this was the board for Ukraine.

Your sarcasm is unnecessary.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Sir - given your continued denial of the existence of something in spite of the evidence put before you, your attitude is 'unnecessary'. However, you can feel ill-used if you wish. The words horse and water come to mind.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:12 pm Post subject:

There is a separate board for the Ukraine, as Coledavis has already shown. At least I can see it listed on the main index, but perhaps it doesn't show up for you. In any case, I do not think he was being sarcastic.

It's your best bet for relevant info: I'm afraid I do not know much about anything there except how to do a Moscow to Kiev Russian visa run.

Best of luck.

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Ukraine is viable. Easier to get into since they don't restrict entry by requiring visas.

Salaries are about the same. There are schools which offer accommodations and base jobs.

Most long-term teachers come in with one of those jobs, get their feet on the ground and then build their own mix of contract work, private students and such.

Being legal while working remains a problem but enforcement is spotty.

You can read write-ups on the different schools and current situation over on the Ukraine board.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Re Ukraine visas: well, you can get into Ukraine without a visa for three months (assuming the rules haven't changed since I was there last year), but yes, technically this doesn't allow you to work, not that that stops anybody! After that, any decent school will get you fixed up with a proper visa, whether you are American or European. Which is why, by the way, Ukraine is easier for Americans than EU eastern European states.

I still think, however, that more detailed discussion of this should take place on the Ukraine board. (Yes, DCY, I know Ukraine is a CIS country, but it does have a separate board on this forum. And no, I am not being sarcastic on this occasion, honestly.)

d.c.young · Joined: 27 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

My questions were about teaching in Russia, I wouldn't have asked about Ukraine if I thought it would upset coledavis so much. I truly believed there wasn't a message board for Ukraine.

I know sarcasm when I see it and I don't appreciate it. I would expect a 9 year member of these message boards to show a little more courtesy towards new people.

Thanks for the help, I'll find out the rest on my own.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:45 am Post subject:

All the best to you and your endeavours.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

You asked about Ukraine as well as well as about Russia and in my opinion you received useful information, e.g. about the relative ease of gaining employment in Kiev and about visas for American. It was also suggested to you that you would find more detailed information on the Ukraine board, which you insisted did not exist.

I wasn't upset, but I was unimpressed by your peculiar reaction to my assistance. I think a little more openness to what is said to you will make your time in eastern Europe a lot easier. (And here I speak from experience, my own and other people's; again, largely factual, not sarcasm.)