Job Discussion Forums

[Gerhard E. Jene]

While I may not as of yet have an EFL certificate, I was wondering about the viability of working in the Ukraine. Is it worthwhile and where would be the best place to start? Other than the ESLCafe? Especially if I want to dig deeper for a more indepth search.
Also, what would be the best or more recognized EFL certificate for Eastern Europe?

Gerhard Jene

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Dear Gerhard:

EFL in the Ukraine is still a 'cottage industry' ... meaning jobs are still few and far between. There is hope, however, as some of the larger chain schools have opened up for business, especially in the larger cities like Kiev and Odessa.

Here are a few links that might help you to get started:

http://www.ihworld.com/recruitment/vacancies_by_country.asp?country=Ukraine

http://www.ukraine.com (for general info and a discussion forum)

http://www.tefl.com/ (search by country or region)

http://www.google.com/advanced_search (enter the keywords 'Ukraine' and English school [or] English teachers, etc...

Happy hunting, Gerhard

Regards,
kEnt

PS: The RSA, CELTA and Trinity-TESOL are all widely recognized and accepted throughout Europe. DELTA as well, if you have the time and energy.

[maruss]

Kent is absolutely right- there are still very few jobs in Ukraine and they can afford to be choosy about who they hire-I don't think I've ever seen any on offer for people without a degree.Maybe I'm prejudiced,but I don't like the regime there either and the poverty I saw during the one visit I made several years ago was worse than in Russia.The corruption is far worse too and the misery and decay prevalent in many urban and rural areas was very depressing too.There are some nice places to see,especially in the south such as Odessa and Crimea and Kiev is interesting too,but overall,I wouldn't recommend it unless you're an addict for living in difficult countries!
M.

[maruss]

Kent is absolutely right- there are still very few jobs in Ukraine and they can afford to be choosy about who they hire-I don't think I've ever seen any on offer for people without a degree.Maybe I'm prejudiced,but I don't like the regime there either and the poverty I saw during the one visit I made several years ago was worse than in Russia.The corruption is far worse too and the misery and decay prevalent in many urban and rural areas was very depressing .There are some nice places to see,especially in the south such as Odessa and Crimea and Kiev is interesting ,but overall,I wouldn't recommend it unless you're an addict for living in difficult countries!
M.

[Gerhard E. Jene]

Thanks guys. My first posting was meant as no disrespect to Dave's Esl Cafe. But as the one gentleman provided, I knew there would have to be other leads somewhere else to where some employers would post either by choice or not knowing of this great website.
In part that is what I am also trying to find information ahead of time to help me find out where to find in depth information for the area and the requirements.
Thanks. I will keep you posted.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I taught ESL in Lviv, Ukraine for two years, and had a trouble-free, worthwhile experience (in fact, I may just return one day). I think, with Ukraine, one has to be "lucky" as far as directors go, since they deal with tax authorities, visas, salary, the list goes on.
I can tell you with upmost confidence, that the IH schools in Lviv and Kharkiv (as well as in Dnipropetrovsk) are (or were as of June '03) run professionally and by competent directors. I would investigate further into those schools.
I know very little about Kyiv and Odessa. However, I did meet the owners/directors of the London School of English in Odessa; they were Irish or British (sorry, can't remember guys), and seemed like stand-up guys.
good luck. peace out. JP.

[trebor]

Just in case anyone logs on to previous debate on Ukraine, thought I'd add a few words to provide a bit of balance just in case anyone's thinking of Ukraine as a possible place of work.

Yes, Ukraine is not the easiest country in the world to live in but it's hardly a 'difficult' country either for your average westerner. Most of the teachers who come to Ukraine enjoy the place precisely because it isn't the same as 'normal Europe' and is there anyone coming here who expects it to be? I have been here over 7 years and while I can't pretend there aren't things I sometimes find frustrating, I know that the vast majority of those living or visiting Ukraine thoroughly enjoy the experience.

There are a limited number of good EFL schools and choosing the right one will make a big difference to your experience of working here. The London School of English established for over 8 years has a good reputation and is a safe bet for a reliable employer.

So there you are.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Thanks, Trebor, for adding your input!

The links below have been updated and reposted from The Master Index for your surfing pleasure:

(general information)

http://www2.britishcouncil.org/ukraine (British Council)
http://www.ukraine.org/ (Welcome to Ukraine)
http://www.interfax.kiev.ua/eng/ (Interfax - Ukraine)
http://www.brama.com/ (BRAMA - Gateway Ukraine)
http://www.uazone.net/ (UA Zone - Ukraine Information Project)
http://meta-ukraine.com/en/ (META - Ukraine)
http://ukraine.uazone.net/ (Guide to Ukraine)
http://www.ukraine.com/ (Ukraine.com)
http://www.infoukes.com/ (InfoUkes.com)
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/ukraine.htm (Atlapedia.com)
http://travel.kyiv.org/ (Travel to Ukraine - information, maps & photos)
http://www.ukrainetrip.com/ (UkraineTrip.com - travel & general info)
http://www.ukrtelecom.ua/en/offers/web_cam/ (ukrtelecom's live webcams - very nice!)
http://www.ukraine-international.com/eng (Ukraine International Airlines)
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/up.html (CIA World Factbook)
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/ukraine/ (Lonely Planet)
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/data/ukr/ukr.asp (Columbus World Travel Guide)

(school websites)

http://www.aafl.ru/en/why.htm (American Academy of Foreign Languages - Moscow & Kiev)
http://www.acsi.org/web2003/default.aspx?ID=1690 (Association of Christian Schools International)
http://www2.britishcouncil.org/ukraine (British Council)
http://www.bisk.kiev.ua/ (British International School - Kiev, Ukraine)
http://www.britishschool.dp.ua/index.htm (British International School - Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine)
http://www.denisschool.ru/ (Denis' School - 5 branches in Russia / 1 branch in Kiev)
http://www.speak.ru/ (English Language Center - multiple branches)
http://www.elckiev.org/eng/index.php (ELC - Kiev)
http://www.ihworld.com/ (International House homepage - branches worldwide)
http://www.ih.kiev.ua/ (International House - Kiev)
http://www.ih.kharkiv.com/ (International House - Kharkiv, Ukraine)
http://www.ihlviv.com/ (International House - Lviv)
http://www.ih.odessa.ua/ (International House - Odessa, Ukraine)
http://www.saxoncourt.com/ (SaxonCourt - recruits teachers for a variety of countries in eastern europe)

http://www.worldwide.edu/ci/ukraine/index.html (Worldwide Classroom - schools in Ukraine index)

NOTE: I have been unable to find a website URL for The London School of English in Ukraine, so I'm posting the information below for anyone who may be interested:

" ... The London School of English in Odessa is a British/Ukrainian run operation which will be starting its third year in September. The school is situated on the high street in Odessa, right on the Black Sea,and provides courses for children (min 5 years old), teenagers, adults and businesses.

The London School of English has been in existence in Ukraine for 8 years and also has schools operating in Kiev and Donetsk. At present we have 400+ students... "

contact info for Odessa: 16 Katerinska, Office 20
Tel: ++380 482 777501 / 577
email: [email protected]


Happy surfing!

[zaneth]

Welcome to the board, Trebor. Nice to have another CIS veteran.