Job Discussion Forums

[MO39]

I applied to this school about a month ago. After a few on-line exchanges of information, I never heard from them again, despite a few polite inquiries on my part asking about the status of my application. I wonder if it's their policy to not communicate with a prospective teacher once they've decided they're not interested in hiring you.

[ibasiram]

I'm sure you're not the only one that this has happened to.
They have a self proclaimed status of being 'the best school in Russia' and therefore see themselves as being able to stick their noses up at our applications.

[MO39]

Well, in an odd way that makes me feel better. Thanks for the insight. Could you recommend any other schools which I could apply to?

[Nexus]

If you're arriving in Russia for the first time, you could always give BKC a try. They'll sort out your visa, meet and greet at the airport (more often than not!) and you'll have a flat sorted.

There have been a few previous threads debating the pros and cons of working for BKC, but if you have any specific questions fire away.

[BELS]

Might be another option for you and others seeking work in Moscow. Check up if they offer visa and accomadation, some do, if no accomadation, then expect a salary to reflect this

http://expat.ru/vacancies.php

[MO39]

I considered BKC and started to fill out the on-line application. But when I got to the question about TEFL certification and had to indicate that I don't have any sort of certificate (though I do have many years of teaching experience and three university degrees), I was told I was not qualified to teach at their school and was directed to Lingua.ru, where I was told that I might be too old for them (I'm 59) and that, anyway, they had no openings for this fall. Since this would be my first time in Russia, I would like to find a job with a school that would find me an apartment and help ease me into life in Russia.

[Nexus]

MO39, sorry to hear about the bad luck with BKC, more and more places are requiring a CELTA or equivalent as a prerequisite. Have you tried EF? They are likely to offer the same visa / accommodation deal but I've heard the coursebooks they use (EF's own series) are tragic.

I've been meaning to ask about some of the schools that advertise on expat.ru ie ITEC , ABC International, Samantha school etc.. Has anyone worked for any of these? I've worked for ETI and they were excellent: small group in-company classes and money paid straight into a UK bank account. I'd recommend them.

As for the Samantha school, the name alone would prevent me from working there but if anyone has info about any of these, please share it with the rest of us. Although, MO39 I suspect they just recruit locally for hourly paid teachers.

[maruss]

One of the biggest drawbacks with Moscow nowadays is that appartment rents are so high-even if you are lucky enough to have help from Russian friends,it is most unlikely that you will find even a studio in a remote suburb for much under $500 per month and you will probably have to pay 2 months up-front to get it!What annoys me about B.K.C. is that they advertise that they provide accomodation,but they don't initially say it is in a shared appartment unless you read all the hype very carefully.They do give you an option of finding your own with a $300 housing allowance which will effectively mean you end up paying the rest from your salary,which will not exactly be executive level anyway!!Forget asking an agency-they will charge you double the price for Russians anyway!
Living with someone else is o.k. if you know them and decide to share a flat etc. but I strongly object to this being assumed as acceptable by any employer!!Choose your company and stay friends!

M.