Job Discussion Forums

Mnizzle · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Colorado

If I want to take the ESL course in August, is it likely that I will be able to get a job in September? I want to take the course in London, so should I plan on flying to Russia right after the course, under the assumption that these programs will hire me in a short time?

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Mnizzle- contact the schools now. Tell them you're doing the course in August and want to start teaching in Moscow in September. They'll interview you on the phone then probably give you a conditional offer (conditional on you passing the course, which in all likelihood you will) and start processing your paperwork. (Visa invitation etc). Because of the bureaucracy in Russia, schools just can't hire someone one day and have them in the country the next- the whole thing will probably take about a month at the very least.

Anyway, they'll be biting your hand off to employ you so take your time and look at all your options. There is very little difference between places like BKC and LL, so when choosing who to go with, just follow your gut instinct. Both places will do all the paperwork for you, go over anything you have to do step by step and make sure you have no problems when you get here. They'll give you academic support so you're not floundering and you'll find your fellow teachers give you a lot of support (and a social life) too. You'll find that all you need to be concerned about it planning your lessons and where to go for a drink after work.

Don't book any flights until you've discussed with your future employer when they actually need you and what your flight allowance is and, of course, until you have your visa.

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

$650 or whatever is enough to live on when your accommodation is provided.

Indeed it is more than the salary of a teacher in a Russian public school, and is quite comparable to what many professional people earn. Check out www.rabota.ru and you'll see what I mean.

Moscow can be an expensive place to live but it can also be very cheap - you just cut your cloth.

My cost of living in Moscow is significantly lower than it was in Canada, which in turn is much less expensive than the UK. The "expensive Moscow" stuff you keep hearing about is based on costs for expat business executives and all of the perks that they get.

The companies don't aim to employ those with families- rather younger people looking for a start in EFL.

Au contraire, there are many "mature" teachers working for BKC. Compare this to the ageism in EFL employment in Japan, for example.

The only schools in Moscow who pay anything like salaries you'd get at home would probably be the BIS and the British Council...[/ii]

Or if you're a "real" schoolteacher (which most of us aren't), the expat kids' schools.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

BIS is an expat kids' school but, as with the BC, they do the majority of their recruitment through London and rarely employ staff locally.

Also I wasn't saying BKC and LL don't employ mature teachers, rather their target recruitment are young graduates. They know full well that anyone with a family would find it very difficult to live on the salaries they pay.

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

They know full well that anyone with a family would find it very difficult to live on the salaries they pay.

Or more precisely, expats with families. For the Russian teachers (I mean Russians who teach English - there are many) the salaries are adequate. As can be seen on another thread, the main problem for expats is the crushing costs at the international schools.

All the "mature" teachers I've met are either empty-nesters, never-nesters, or married to Russians.

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

I am not sure, but I will assume that the cost of a celta course is 650 GBP
at BKC, the same as in London. I find it difficult to understand why a graduate from UK or USA would spend the time and money to travel all the way to Moscow to take a fulltime 4 week celta course in Moscow, when they can take it in their own country costing them less.

If the reason is they want to experience Moscow and a $650 monthly salary , why not take your CELTA or other TEFL certificate in your own area first, and then apply to LL or BKC. Less risk and costs to the graduate.

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

You can do a CELTA in London for 650 quid? Where!?

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

Quote: The only schools in Moscow who pay anything like salaries you'd get at home would probably be the BIS and the British Council...[/ii]

As a matter of interst, any experts from the British Council here? How does the BC hire,? From Moscow and the UK? Do they provide invitatation or work visas? Do they assist in accomadation? If not, why not. It is a reasonable question, after all, as far as I understand the British Council stands for promoting British culture and the English language, and appears to be the only organisation that provides a sensible income.

Another sensible question question has suddenly come to my mind. Why doesn't the British Council promote a CELTA or their own form of a TEFL course in Moscow? Or perhaps a free training programme for those who wish to teach EFL. After all is that not their purpose of existance?

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Be very wary of anyone who posts on here claiming to know how the BC recruits and works- in all likelihood they don't actually know. Have a look on their public website.

As for English Language Training - they have a department for this. Why don't you phone them up and put all your questions to them?

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Believe it or not Bels, most British people don't live in London. It probably works out cheaper for them to come to Moscow -flights and all- than it would to pay for accommodation and subsistence in London for a month. Plus it is a great opportunity to visit a city. Plenty of people go to Prague and Barcelona and other places to do CELTA, enjoy their four weeks and then look elsewhere for a job- why not Moscow?

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

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BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

I totally agree, many graduates may want to experience another city in another country, and why not Moscow indeed.

But it's good to have an open mind and consider the expense and other options available for each individual. One on this thread is already considering London , as she is going there anyway.

Americans and English should be aware that it is likely there is a Celta or TEFL in a reputable college close to them. there are many such reputable CELTA and TEFL courses throughout the UK and probably the same applies to the USA and Canada. It is simple to make a search in the website, or contact your local colleges for advise on such courses.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may possibly have the course free or subsidised. This may only only apply to UK citizens.

on completion of the course you may then shop around for a suitable job as an EFL teacher in Russia or any where else in the world

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

Mnizzle · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Colorado

I have applied to language link, and they are going to give me a phone interview. What should I expect? What does anyone know about language link? Do they negotiate salaries? Can I give them a decision about whether I need their help with accomodations after I have arrived and seen where they might put me?