Job Discussion Forums

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Don't worry- the telephone interview won't be too taxing. As you're new to the profession then they won't ask you any methodology or grammar questions! When I used to interview by telephone, what I was looking for was a sense of what the person was like and to see if they'd be suited to living and working in Russia. I know you can't work out someone's whole personality based on a 40 minute phonecall but along with a CV, it's all you have to go on.

As for questions regarding accommodation, you'll have plenty of time during the interview to ask those. In fact it's a good idea to have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer as there is nothing worse than a candidate who asks nothing when given the opportunity- I mean what kind of person has absolutely no questions about living and working in a completely different profession and country?

LL accommodation is ok and almost all teachers stick to it for at least the first year of their stay. Probably what will happen is that when you first arrive you'll be put in one flat until it is decided at which branch you will work then it's possible you may be moved. The problem with getting your own flat is that its extremely expensive -generally you'd have to pay a lot upfront (2 months to the landlord and one month equiv. agency fee) and this is just not possible if you're living solely on your LL salary. You'd also have to find a landlord who would provide all the documentation for registration in Moscow (not easy) as LL insists all their teachers are registered. If you live in an LL flat, all this is sorted out for you.

As for salary negotiation- if you're an experienced teacher who can add to LL by helping out with training, course writing etc etc then yes, there is room for negotiation. But newly qualified with no experience? No way.

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

Ditto the above. Don't even think about finding your own accommodation until you've gotten used to living in Moscow.

As for negotiating compensation, I agree again, the best a new teacher can do is apply to both LL and BKC and pick the highest, if that's your priority.

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

I have just recceived a job offer in Moscow from Language link for 550 a month. I am waiting to receive a copy of the contract that they will offer me. I see that BKC offers 600 + a month for new teachers. Is 550 a month (hopefully including accomodation) too little to live on? The thing about this situation is that I am not certified to teach english in any way. I plan on doing this at the end of the summer and starting teaching in Sept or Oct. Is this the best offer that I can hope for given my situation and desire to be in Russia so soon?

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

As a person coming to Moscow for the first time, without any form of a TEFL certificate this is probably the best deal you will get, for the time being. Obviously you must check that this includes accomadation, and travelling arrangements. You will need an invitatation from LL to get your visa, and the right to work.

Unfortunately there are not many schools available in Moscow, who have the right to invite you as a teacher. LL has this right.

When you have settled down for a while, may I suggest you top up your income by teaching privately, one to one. Best place to start is in the area where you will be living, hopefully a busy residential area, dont sell yourself cheap. With a bit of luck you will live in an area where there are not many native English speakers. I do very well this way, as I am the only native speaker in my area.

Trojan Horse · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Europe

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

Did those of you working full time for language link find some time to travel? were you able to save a little for a modest trip outside of the country. I see that I have about 10 days off around new years and christmas. should i stick around at this time, or is this a good time to take off and see other places?
it looks like i will be arriving in about a month to do my celta with bkc, and then i will work for language link beginning sept. if anyone here works for one of the two, i might see you soon!
one more question...is it likely that i will be able to get a multiple entry visa? what will this mean, that i can come and go as i please or that i will have a set number of entries and exits.
oh, and one more question =)....i need to book a roundtrip ticket. my contract is up at the end of may. should i plan on coming back at this time? should i stick around and travel for a little? if I decide to try and find another contract, should i go back to pittsburgh and plan on returning to moscow?
thank you all so much for your advice. it has been so helpful!

Katyusha · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 43 Location: UAE

Multiple-entry visa means you can come and go as many times as you like. Good luck to your CELTA! They have very good trainers at BKC in their Teacher-Training Department. And like I mentioned before, it is the most profitable department within BKC.

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

To the best of my knowledge, both business and work visas (you will be getting one or the other) are always multiple entry. Certainly the 1 year variety.

The round/trip one way decision has to be based entirely on your own plans, I went to Russia the first time on a one way and since have bought round trips (originating in Moscow).

There are some very reasonably priced packages to Egypt (for example) which are popular with teachers. Yes you can pay for something like this out of your salary but you will have to be really motivated to save.

I second one of the other posters, the CELTA trainers at BKC are great people and you will enjoy the course - it's only when people start working for BKC that they discover the school's dark side. Twisted Evil

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Are you sure your contract with Language Link ends in May? You may have been offered a nine-month contract but this is exclusive of holidays. Basically it's a 36 teaching week contract, so if you take a couple of weeks off at Christmas, a week in march and one in May then you're already looking at the end of June at least.
I know the 9 month thing is misleading -I was confused by it myself when I was a 'Linker'. Yeah, if you read the small print then it does state that it's 9 teaching months, but practically everyone who works there doesn't notice this and just assumes that of they start in September, they'll be finishing 9 months later. Before booking any flights, you'll need to confirm this with the Director and I strongly urge you to do so.

I was able to save a bit when I was there and do a bit of travelling within Russia and the CIS, mainly by train. You should certainly have time and funds to do this.