Job Discussion Forums

[Volodiya]

Almaty, Kazakhstan was 95% good, 5% bad. The 5%- the official (unofficial) harrassment from police (foot patrols, and traffic police, mainly). For me, it just took the fun out of being there. Others didn't seem to get so worked up about it, but they weren't there as long, either. I just got tired of it.

[putnikaeru]

Hi,

Does anyone have any information about
1) schools/institutes in Kazakhstan where a foreigner can attend Russian language classes?
2) institutions or community groups that require ESL teachers (paid or volunteer)

I'm really interested in going to Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan for this but so far have been unable to find any leads or have not had any responses to emails etc. And I'm not American and can't join the Peace Corps. But if any of you have attended schools there, could you please help me out?

Thanks a lot

[Tiger Beer]

[MIKEBUCHAN]

I just left Baku on 1 November. I taught there for two months. I found the city nice and a little expensive. That is the restaurants were a little expensive, my wife and I like to dine out about once a week, and we like to eat in a better restaurant than MickeyD's or sidewalk vender eateries.

All else was reasonable - except rent! Out in Baiyl (a nice 30 minute walk to Fountain Square) is twice the cost of our central city apartment in Russia.

All that you read about the sights OUTSIDE of Baku are true and some of the distant suburbs of Baku can be a bit ragged.

We probably will never visit Baku again.

[Red and white]

I'm in Baku now. Money is OK, Baku is (for me) a bit dull. There's a thread further down about Azerbaijan if you want more views on the place.

There's no shortage of work here, mosly related to the oil industry, and salaries of around US$2000 are comfortable for me (single, low-maintainence). The problem I have is finding enough to spend my money on.

I'd disagree with comments about anything outside Baku being grim, though. The immediate surroundings (Absheron) are horrible post-Soviet industrial hell-holes, but get through that and the countryside is beautiful, if underdeveloped. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the people in the provinces are friendlier as well - I don't feel I'm making many friends among the Azeris at the moment, sadly.

[Chazaq]

There are quite a number of language schools in Almaty and Kazakhstan that want native speaker teachers. However, salaries here for teachers don't really match living costs. This is true for local teachers especially.

Local teachers earn US$350 a month generally, a worker in a construction company may get $500... so a salary of US$1000 for a foreign teacher is... you decide!

Rent is one of the largest costs in Almaty... don't get a job without accommodation being provided. Usually a two bedroom apartment goes for around $700 a month 3 bedroom $1000. Many expats are moving out of the city and commuting each day but hey the traffic can be terrible especially when it snows

The school I teach at is called ICC Plus English and the website is:
www.iccplus.kz

Jobs are advertised for it on a number of ESL job sites.

[Chazaq]

Do Russians speak much Kazak? Or Kazakhs much Russian for that matter?

Are most signs in Kazak or Russian?

I also heard that they might change the Kazakh alphabet to Latin letters?[/quote]

Generally Kazaks speak Kazakh and Russian, Russians usually only speak Russian. Some Kazaks in Almaty may not speak Kazak well but there is a growing emphasis that Kazaks should speak Kazak... and the younger rebellion against such an idea Most signs are in both languages!

[Chazaq]

[stiickler]

Hey all!
Looking for some information On Baku. My wife and I have an offer there from English Language Solutions. Anybody know anything about that organization? What are the going salary rates and rental rates?

Any info would be great!

[Rumblefish]

I appreciate that this is slightly off topic from the recent posts, but can anyone give me a little recent info on life in Bishkek.

I'm talking to the London School at the moment and would love to hear about any related experiences.

Cheers

[maruss]

but also very poor and still quite unstable-there was also an outbreak of a serious disease there very recently(I think it may have been cholera?)
If you want an adventure in a fascinating and intriguing place,but accept that you won't be able to do more than get by on what you earn,it might be worth considering!

[Rumblefish]

Thanks for the insight. I'm talking to a few people in the country now and things seem ok, though you are right about the money.........
Cheers.