Job Discussion Forums

[BELS]

OH! OH! With the backpackers back, it looks like we privates will be competing with �13 an hour all over Moscow again. As the backpackers become desporate to to topup their meagre wages to survive

And growing economy WHERE! If there is a growing the employed EFL teacher will experience any of it. That's for the oil barons!

More like massive growing inflation!!!

[VisualSyntax]

I'm not a backpacker. I'm 29 years old, I have a degree in Linguistics, and I spent some time tutoring ESL for our local international high school.

I don't understand why I'm getting jumped on for asking for positive ESL experiences, or for wanting to live with a Russian family.

I'm sorry that you view me as a threat to your job security, but I can assure you that I'm not looking to travel to Russia for fun and games. Even if I was, I shouldn't have to defend myself to the people in this thread, to the extent that I've been doing. My entire family is in education and I wouldn't be joining their ranks if I didn't want to do it. I've heard how tough it is, and I still want a job there.

I'm really offended by the insinuation that I'm just some kid who wants to skip around Russia for a while. That's not exactly a country to do it in unless you have a mastery of the language.

And to take up the other offer, sure I might as well look into Ukraine. Jesus Christ, I didn't realise that you people were so uptight. I just wanted to get some positive feedback.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I did report this thread. I don't believe that I did anything to be attacked in the way that some of these posts are attacking me.

[VisualSyntax]

[sukoma]

I think it's the nature of the beast and not just exclusive to ESL message boards...people who are happy in thier situation are usually out there enjoying themselves as opposed to posting on message boards (in general). Positive or negative, everything on this board is information that can be helpful in some way.

At the same time, I can totally understand how they feel threatened by backpackers and how the backpackers can make it difficult on those who are doing this as a career choice and not just out "finding themselves". They don't care that they drive the wages down for those who take this seriously since they aren't really in this for the long run in the first place. In my TESL certification training program, my teachers told me about 80% of all overseas ESL teachers are backpackers and cowboys (everywhere, not just Russia)...for them to assume you or I or anyone is a backpacker is just playing the numbers...please don't take it personally.

There have been a few good points made as far as I'm concerned...I just the nature of some of the comments with a grain of salt (like BELS in the ivory tower)...he's just trying to keep the competition away. Actually, based on the majority of his comments (or more like his condescending tone), there probably are a very limited number of really good jobs and probably just as stiff of competition for them. From what I've read here, heard from teachers I've met in person and from my travels in the past, you probably really have to be on the ground to find the good jobs as I doubt those schools need to post.

As for Rusmeister's comments (like the post directed at me), if you read them objectively, they make a lot of sense. I don't have your creditials, but this is an "eyes open" choice to leave the corporate world and start a new career. I'll admit, I'm nervous, but I'm prepared to make the committment it's going to take to make this work....good luck yourself.

[rusmeister]

I think people are reading hostility or personal resentment into my post. Personally, I am set, and not so much affected by backpackers. I was merely attempting to objectively explain why some responses seem bitter or negative (the operating word being "seem")

Canucktechie, you have always been a thoughtful, intelligent poster, and I thought you had taken a similar measure of me. I'm a little taken aback that you should take my post as an attack or complaint, rather than what I intended it to be, simply stating to any non-career teachers how career teachers may perceive them.

Same thing to VisualSyntax - if the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it. I wasn't aiming anything at you personally. I was making a general comment. So you're not a backpacker. Fine.

I think it happens all too often that in this electronic form of communication, naked words with no other context, it is far too easy to misunderstand others.

[sukoma]

Amen...I'm 2.5 months away from coming over to start my new career and you gave me some good insight for my preparations. I appreciate your objectivity.

[BELS]

As I stated in my answer to your PM, don't take it personal, as I don't get personal with most people on a forum, including the expat site.

I was also only bluffing about fear of competition from backpackers, as I work and live in the wild west of Moscow, and for the moment I don't have any competition worth worrying about. But due to the fast expansion of building in that area I will never become complacent.

[BELS]

[VisualSyntax]

These responses might not be personal, but they're definately not professional by any means.

[rusmeister]

Well, come on over and find out for yourself. It is as if you are saying, "I'm planning to come to Russia. Tell me the good things I can expect." We can't validate your decision for you - we'll tell you what we see; not necessarily what you want to hear. if we digress, well, that's what happens on threads. Out of courtesy people usually try to stick to the OP. The digression about backpackers was an attempt to explain why the career teachers here react the way they do in general. There are hundreds of people who ask the same questions you do. We can't be expected to know that you are not a backpacker unless you have really spelled that out in advance. That you took my post as a personal labeling of you as a backpacker is an unfortunate misunderstanding on your part. Your responses come across, intentionally or not, as demands. If you always present your requests in that fashion, I won't bother to respond further - but if you realize that you are asking and that beggars can't be choosers, I'll try to tell you fair what I can if I have the time.

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

[maruss]

The position this guy referred to was more like an intern job or even a charity where you go to gain experience and not just to earn money.Most of us on this site,quite rightly, usually gripe about what we call the 'Mac' firms who exploit unsuspecting foreigners and make it hard for those of us who try to make a decent living in Russia.Rusmeister and Bels,as permanent residents know the reality of life there.On the other hand,this particular vacancy does offer someone the opportunity to work in Vladmir for an American backed firm and for a short period it would be a way to experience life in a provincial town that does have historical and cultural interest.

[BELS]

And what's wrong with a bit of a windup, and a bit of sense of humour for a thread called You guys are winding me up

Hopefully we will hear some positive news about their experiience of living and working in Russia by January 2009, rather than the moaning we normally read here from newbies experiences.

So good luck, and keep us posted of your life and experiences in Russia.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I've been in Russia three years and have had a very nice experience teaching here.
Of course, I'm way out in Vladivostok--not in Moscow--so I don't exist .

[BELS]

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I'm doing ok, BELS. I work for a school, but I've got a nice salary and like my job; and of course I have a gaggle of private students to keep my head above water.
It wasn't too tough at the beginning as far I can remember.
In any case, things are great--got a family, own a flat--and I can't complain! Thanks for asking.