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donamari
Joined: 19 Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Location: Yakutsk, Russia
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 Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 8:25 pm Post subject: Returning to TEFL, and Russia |
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Hi,
I taught at a Russian university for a semester back in 2001, and since then have kind of regretted not spending more time there. Now I'm at a point where I'm due for a change in job/scenery - so I've started looking for TEFL jobs, and although I might earn more elsewhere I'm still drawn to Russia. My qualifications are decent, but that job in 2001 was my last TEFL job, so I'm wondering where that positions me as far as job choice, pay scale, etc. I have a CELTA and 4 yrs total experience. Since then, I did get an MA in Linguistics, which I would think would bump me up a notch but not sure as it is not TESOL/Applied Ling.
I've read posts here about the chain schools, a lot of negatives, but also that it might be a good way to start out. Given my background, what kind of offer should I expect? I'm mainly looking outside of Moscow; I'm interested in Siberia but would consider cities in other areas. I've sent a couple of inquiries to universities but I know the pay is generally pretty low, and although I am not expecting to get rich I do want to be comfortable.
Any advice, suggestions, or moral support greatly appreciated! |
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jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: New York
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| Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Howdy,
I'm sure you could find some good work in Russia. Most people suggest going the "McSchools" route, since those schools can help you with a work visa, housing, etc; in fact, most universities should be able to help with the same. I think that chain schools and universities are a fine way to start out, particularly in smaller cities (i.e. not Moscow). I personally wouldn't touch Moscow with a ten-foot pole or at least with less than a salary under 125K rubles/month. But that's me.
More lucrative positions in Russia are generally found once your boots are on the ground. As such, I would recommend trying to find a job in a city you'd like to live in and then making contacts during the course of your first contract. Within a couple of years you'll surely find more and more good opportunities coming your way.
Good luck. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I've been told that people get well paid in Tomsk. |
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hollyhirst
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject: working in Russia |
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| I can recommend Kazan. That's where I am now and I enjoy it. There are a few schools here that hire foreigners. |
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LAR1SSA
Joined: 02 Nov 2013
Posts: 48
Location: Memphis
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| Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:14 am Post subject: |
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| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
Howdy,
I'm sure you could find some good work in Russia. Most people suggest going the "McSchools" route, since those schools can help you with a work visa, housing, etc; in fact, most universities should be able to help with the same. I think that chain schools and universities are a fine way to start out, particularly in smaller cities (i.e. not Moscow). I personally wouldn't touch Moscow with a ten-foot pole or at least with less than a salary under 125K rubles/month. But that's me.
More lucrative positions in Russia are generally found once your boots are on the ground. As such, I would recommend trying to find a job in a city you'd like to live in and then making contacts during the course of your first contract. Within a couple of years you'll surely find more and more good opportunities coming your way.
Good luck. |
whoaa i've never seen a job that pays that much money.. i've seen ones that pay less but with subsidized housing of course |
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jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: New York
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| Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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| LAR1SSA wrote: |
| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
Howdy,
I'm sure you could find some good work in Russia. Most people suggest going the "McSchools" route, since those schools can help you with a work visa, housing, etc; in fact, most universities should be able to help with the same. I think that chain schools and universities are a fine way to start out, particularly in smaller cities (i.e. not Moscow). I personally wouldn't touch Moscow with a ten-foot pole or at least with less than a salary under 125K rubles/month. But that's me.
More lucrative positions in Russia are generally found once your boots are on the ground. As such, I would recommend trying to find a job in a city you'd like to live in and then making contacts during the course of your first contract. Within a couple of years you'll surely find more and more good opportunities coming your way.
Good luck. |
whoaa i've never seen a job that pays that much money.. i've seen ones that pay less but with subsidized housing of course |
Well, that was kind of my point: I'm not fond of Moscow, and I wouldn't live there unless I had something approaching a Western salary.
That being said, there are certainly teachers making that much and more. |
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LAR1SSA
Joined: 02 Nov 2013
Posts: 48
Location: Memphis
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| Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
| LAR1SSA wrote: |
| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
Howdy,
I'm sure you could find some good work in Russia. Most people suggest going the "McSchools" route, since those schools can help you with a work visa, housing, etc; in fact, most universities should be able to help with the same. I think that chain schools and universities are a fine way to start out, particularly in smaller cities (i.e. not Moscow). I personally wouldn't touch Moscow with a ten-foot pole or at least with less than a salary under 125K rubles/month. But that's me.
More lucrative positions in Russia are generally found once your boots are on the ground. As such, I would recommend trying to find a job in a city you'd like to live in and then making contacts during the course of your first contract. Within a couple of years you'll surely find more and more good opportunities coming your way.
Good luck. |
whoaa i've never seen a job that pays that much money.. i've seen ones that pay less but with subsidized housing of course |
Well, that was kind of my point: I'm not fond of Moscow, and I wouldn't live there unless I had something approaching a Western salary.
That being said, there are certainly teachers making that much and more. |
Okay I didnt even know it was possible. Is that type of salary common? |
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jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: New York
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| Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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| LAR1SSA wrote: |
| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
| LAR1SSA wrote: |
| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
Howdy,
I'm sure you could find some good work in Russia. Most people suggest going the "McSchools" route, since those schools can help you with a work visa, housing, etc; in fact, most universities should be able to help with the same. I think that chain schools and universities are a fine way to start out, particularly in smaller cities (i.e. not Moscow). I personally wouldn't touch Moscow with a ten-foot pole or at least with less than a salary under 125K rubles/month. But that's me.
More lucrative positions in Russia are generally found once your boots are on the ground. As such, I would recommend trying to find a job in a city you'd like to live in and then making contacts during the course of your first contract. Within a couple of years you'll surely find more and more good opportunities coming your way.
Good luck. |
whoaa i've never seen a job that pays that much money.. i've seen ones that pay less but with subsidized housing of course |
Well, that was kind of my point: I'm not fond of Moscow, and I wouldn't live there unless I had something approaching a Western salary.
That being said, there are certainly teachers making that much and more. |
Okay I didnt even know it was possible. Is that type of salary common? |
No, I don't think it's common at all. I think those jobs are mostly international school gigs, corporate jobs, or someone who goes it alone (of course this last one might not exactly be considered a 'salary').
Regardless, it certainly can be done--and not only in Moscow. |
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donamari
Joined: 19 Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Location: Yakutsk, Russia
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| Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:24 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the information and suggestions! I did hear back pretty quickly from folks after making a couple of inquiries, so I guess my long break from teaching didn't scare anyone off, or maybe (as my friends have suggested) schools in Siberia aren't being inundated with applications. If everything goes OK with the visa I'm off to Yakutsk (world's coldest city!, discussed recently in another thread) next month. Will be an interesting 9 months, if nothing else, and good to know there are lots of opportunities around once I'm more familiar with Russia. |
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jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: New York
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| Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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| donamari wrote: |
| Thanks for the information and suggestions! I did hear back pretty quickly from folks after making a couple of inquiries, so I guess my long break from teaching didn't scare anyone off, or maybe (as my friends have suggested) schools in Siberia aren't being inundated with applications. If everything goes OK with the visa I'm off to Yakutsk (world's coldest city!, discussed recently in another thread) next month. Will be an interesting 9 months, if nothing else, and good to know there are lots of opportunities around once I'm more familiar with Russia. |
Congrats on the job!
Bring super warm clothes (remember to layer): The weather up there is no joke. I'm from Minnesota, and I found the cold truly daunting. |
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