Job Discussion Forums

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Howdy y'all.

I've been planning on moving to Moscow for quite some time now, and I've pretty much been interviewed by most institutions there. However, I've noticed there are some pretty major competitors as far as institutions go:

EnglishFirst
SpeakUp
International House
Wall Street Institute

Now, I'm fully aware that there are many schools etc in Moscow, but I've been told by teachers, students and locals alike that the aforementioned places are not exactly the best places to go to...especially now given the current economic climate.

What do we think? Has anyone had experience with these places since the ruble rates have fallen? Last time I checked, EF was halfway decent, but that was about 18 months ago...!

Phillip Schofield · Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 7:37 pm Post subject:

As far as I'm aware, the salary rate has become rather erratic, with each school testing the water with what they can offer and get away with.
The economic crisis has thrown the normal salary amounts into the air and the schools don't seem too sure what to offer new teachers. I expect it to settle and level out by next year once they all start comparing their respective offers.

I know of a couple of LL schools that are now offering 67-77k per month (depending on exp and qualification). A rather large increase from what they used to offer.

What did the other schools offer you in the way of salary and benefits?

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

I didn't just go for schools, I also went for agencies.

Most said they could help with visas, and some said they provide accommodation, but there were a few places (mostly agencies) who did neither. Salaries...I honestly can't remember them all but they varied from 750-1800RUB an hour, some were freelance, some were set times and whatnot.

I initially signed a contract last June for EF at 33k a month with accommodation and visa provided, but I opted for Saudi at the last minute and never took it in the end. And that was BEFORE the ruble crashed.

At least for me, I'm in a very good position that I have a super cheap place to live not far from the circle line (about 2 stops) and have many friends in Moscow who can help out. The visa...well...I'm considering getting a 3 year visa myself, then if an employer does provide visas, ask them to contribute to the costs a bit. Maybe...

It seems to me that some schools are going under. I believe lingua is one of them, not sure about any others though!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:23 am Post subject:

Three year visas? Are they new?

expatella_girl · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:43 am Post subject:

Maybe Gamajorba is referring to the Highly Qualified Specialist visa? But it has a very high rate of pay in order to qualify, isn't something like a couple of million rubles per year?

And the HQS visa has been discussed here before, and I believe the outcome was that EFL teachers don't qualify either by profession or pay.

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Phillip Schofield · Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 7:56 am Post subject:

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

He's been in the desert sun too long if he is going to buy one of those 'visas'. They are a mirage my friend. Check the Russian embassy website and you will see what visas are available. Boy, that could have been an expensive mistake - lucky you!

Do not take ANY job that doesn't offer you a visa. I have a Russian wife and still needed a job to come here. You won't qualify for temporary or permanent residency until you are married, and even then both things take an eternity to get. Until then, you will need a legal visa! Trying any other shady way is crazy.

EF is paying about 65k at the moment - no apartment. But everything is legal and visa, month holiday etc included. Give pay rises too from my understanding. I went to one of them in St Pete and it was pretty nice. Wasn't for me though. I'm sure there are better and worse offers out there.

If you have an apartment, then this is the main expense covered for Moscow.

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Well, I'm still currently researching the longer term visa business. So nothing is for sure yet. Although I am trying hard to avoid the schools I mentioned in my original post, even if most of them do give the visas.

But anyway, visa issues aside, I've yet to hear anything positive about WSI globally, and EF seems to get mixed reviews, and I can only imagine that they're all pretty rigid and corporate in style as well, which is far from ideal!

expatella_girl · Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 9:58 am Post subject:

I just took a look at the link, Luxe Legal Centre. Outside of the linked page provided by Gamajorba, the entire rest of the website seems to be in Russian only with no option for other languages. Strange?

The cost of the multiple entry three year visa for citizens of European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea is 2300$.

The English language details on the visa a page is for schitz. There is no good description, much less a classification of what visa the applicant would be applying for. Really, they can't hire a decent translator? They do not provide any details on the visa itself?

They're calling it a "Visa without limit of stay – is a work visa." What??

I wouldn't give them half a kopek for their 'services'. This reeks.

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Actually, the visa is the FIRST thing you should worry about. If you don't have it, you can't work.

You can make more money doing privates, but you still need to have the right to live in the country. So freelancing can't be done unless you have another job or you are married and get a residency permit.

At the minute you won't save much money with a regular school. You can get paid a lot from an international school, but you need to be trained as a teacher in your home country.

Compared with the Middle East, you will earn peanuts from your normal line of work.

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Phillip Schofield · Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 5:42 pm Post subject:

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

GotoRussia · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 182

Guess I'm crossing out Saudi to work! Yippers didn't know it was that bad.