Job Discussion Forums

jamiesach · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 2 Location: United States

Hi! So I'm trying to apply for jobs in St. Petersburg right now and I've noticed that most non McSchools require a year or two of teaching experience. Is there wiggle room there or do most places take that stuff seriously?

Any help would be appreciated! I know as a new teacher I'll probably wind up with one of the big dogs, but I thought I'd give some other places a try first.

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

What they want isn't always what they get. Some only want CELTAs, some only hire Brits, some only prefer Americans, you rarely will know what they will accept unless you are in contact with an employee or former employee. Even then things change as supply and demand assert their realities. Apply for several schools and play the numbers game. You have to do your time somewhere.

mybu84 · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Daqing, China

From my understanding of teaching English abroad, schools will request the world, and settle for whatever they can get! The university I teach in was demanding a Masters, several years of experience, TEFL etc etc and offering $700 a month. Eventually they took 2 utter muppets, with no degree, no TEFL and paid them double what they originally offered! I have way more qualifications and have worked at the uni for 4 years, and they pay me less. Totally screwed... hence, I quit. It all depends on how desperate they are. If they have a long time to play with, maybe you will struggle, but if they need a quick fix, you may be in luck!

jamiesach · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 2 Location: United States

Great, thanks! I'll just apply to everything I can find and hope something turns up.

Linochka · Joined: 04 Jan 2012 Posts: 26

At Language Link they say they want a 'teaching certificate', and the boss at this branch doesn't seem to know the difference between a CELTA and a generic one done online.

They don't seem bothered if you have a university degree or not. Some teachers here don't. They did have some teaching experience, though, acquired in countries where the only criteria is that you're a native speaker.

Mind you, if you have no experience or cert, they can then use that as a reason to pay you much less.

LL is a McSchool, though. I'd say the most important thing for other schools is experience, especially within Russia.