Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I agree with yakov on what he/she is saying.
About native speakers: They are definitely a double-edged sword. In addition to what yakov said, on one hand--from a purely business related perspective, native speaking teachers are great as they give a promotional edge to those schools without.
On the other hand, if you find a decent native speaker, many students who had class with them will complain if you must change schedules and give them a local hire--no matter HOW good the Russian teacher is. One of my Russian teachers is an IELTS examiner and still students complain when her comparatively lesser-qualified native teacher is taken away. (Of course we can't tell them she's an IELTS examiner, but everyone knows since this is a small town.)

[yakov1]

Thanks(i am a he btw).

I looked at various language schools and one schools model was almost perfect and there were native speakers there. I came on staff for a while but it works a lot smoother without us. What you can give is western business practice, fair wages and teacher training that other schools can't compete with. When you have your school up and running and making money then I would recommend looking into native speakers and not before. The only native speaker you need to find some sort of job for is yourself.

In volgograd there are two main schools. One i currently work at(i am due to move to krasnodar next month) has 4 native speakers and 4 russians. it has been in operation for 16 years, charging top dollar and so therefore doesnt have a large student base.

The other school is much newer. It opened a small school in one area, subsequently another(volgograd is 100km long so people really appreciate this)and has at last count 25 russian teachers. This year they hired two native speakers. Their fees are lower but only by a small amount. I know which school is making the most money and has the most students and it isn't ours. Now the one edge we had(native speakers) they have to. but they grew up to the size they had without this.

Assuming you are very generous and do the unheard of thing of paying russians the same as you would a native. i dont really have an issue in this if they are really , really good. you will still save yourself a bucketload of money because you won't have to pay for accommodation for them, flight cost reimbursement,medical insurance,holidays etc et al. Now you may not choose to be so generous in paying the locals but be fair regardless...but for a fledging business i would go locals only until you are at least in a position that your company is turning a nice profit. Then, by all means grab some expats to come in too if you want.

[coledavis]

Good stuff. Yes, this concern about the switch from native to Russian being the cause of disgruntlement (however good the Russian) is one that worries me. I guess I could go the 'native speaker' discussion group way, where this is offered, possibly as a free gift, to all those who attend regular classes. It adds to the attraction, but doesn't lead to class upheavals. (And I could always do sick/holiday cover, I guess.)

My other concern is trying to work out the most effective leadership situation, vis a vis administration, visas and state bureaucracy generally. I don't have residency and have not lived in Russia for any uninterrupted length of time. Surely, then, the Director needs to be a local teacher and I would need to be drafted in as a teacher trainer. Does a licensed educational establishment need an owner? And is that the same person as the Director, or can the Director be an employee of another (Russian) owner who is not a specialist (I have a Russian friend in mind).

[coledavis]

Once a company/school is formed, can't they just issue a business visa to me as a teacher trainer?

For a teacher trainer position, do I need the DELTA/Trinity Diploma to satisfy the Russian authorities? Or will the CELTA suffice? Are they insistent on that or will an alternative qualification such as educational management do? (Personally I would prefer to do a TEFL management course rather than to subject myself to assessors over what constitutes good teaching - e.g. I think Harmer's 'The Practice of English Teachers' is dreadful and that's one of their favourite texts.)

Also, I have a Masters in Occupational Psychology which included a training component, for what it's worth.

[coledavis]

Another question, if anyone can help. Is it usual for schools to start as businesses and then become licensed educational establishments later. Where can the administrative requirements be found?

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Another question, if anyone can help. Is it usual for schools to start as businesses and then become licensed educational establishments later.

As a business you cannot give certificates at the end of courses. This could be a negative, as the locals definitely are big on certificates. Also, I think if you plan to do this long-term and really grow, then it's best to just get the licensing out of the way. Just my 2 cents.

I don't know where to find the requirements, if such a place exists.

[coledavis]

Thanks JP. So, if there are no available documents about how to become a licensed establishment, are there any general ideas about how to start about it? Go to the local education department??

[coledavis]

And does anybody know: what are the minimum qualifications for the Director of a business or school (if different)?
Is it the five year English/English teaching degree? or a teacher of any subject?
Does the Director need to be a Russian?

[jpvanderwerf2001]

As to your question about where to find info: There should be a department dedicated to opening new businesses. I know where this place is in Vladivostok (it's in the Krai Administration building), but can't help you in another city. I would ask a local.

And does anybody know: what are the minimum qualifications for the Director of a business or school (if different)?
The Executive Director (the "business" director) needn't have any special qualifications that I know of. This person is simply the one who rakes it in, but takes the fall if there are problems. I would not take this position for any amount of cash.
The Academic Director does need to have qualifications (for licensing reasons at least). One needs a relevant degree (mine is English), some kind of teaching certification (I have a CELTA), and experience would help (though I doubt it's required, officially). I had to have all certifications and transcripts: A) Translated; and B) "Russified". The latter happens at a special office in Moscow (at least that's where I sent mine), and they need both the original of your degree/cert and the transcripts. They then decide what Russian degree you would hold (my BA in English is now a Specialist degree in Linguistics/Phonology as well). This process took about a month, and it was integral in licensing.
Is it the five year English/English teaching degree? or a teacher of any subject?
I'm sorry, I don't know which areas of study are relevant for this. If you have teaching certification (such as a CELTA) I'm sure that would help (that is, if your degree isn't English/Education-related).
Does the Director need to be a Russian?
The DOS or Academic Director needn't be. As I implied above, I wouldn't take the Executive Director position for all the tea in China. They take the fall if anything goes awry. However, that being said, I don't think Exec Directors must be Russian. One had better have great Russian language/cultural knowledge, a "ceiling" and/or good local connections, and some chutzpah to take this position as a foreigner. I'm pretty sure there's a school in Samara where the Exec Director is Canadian, so it can be done!
Good luck!

[coledavis]

thanks JP, that's extremely helpful.

[nemnoga]

Hmm, I live in Samara, and I'm not aware of any schools with Canadian directors... but then again, I don't get out enough Maybe you're thinking of the American Language master's school in Spb, where the directors are American.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

No, I'm thinking of Oxford English Academy. I know the director; however, I'm not 100% he's the Executive Director or the Academic Director.
It's a relatively new school there.

[nemnoga]

Ah, actually, I have found them from your reference, and the owners are my former colleagues. Noel's actually American, but I think he might have been born in Canada.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Interesting, nemnoga. I wonder if he's the Executive Director? I've never asked.
I know it's been a challenge trying to keep his native speakers there because of visa issues. Not sure what's come of that.

[nemnoga]

Ah, sorry to reply so late, yes he was Exec. Director, but no longer; the school is still running, and doing ok BTW, If I had leads on jobs for native speakers; short of buying an ad, what are my options here?