Job Discussion Forums

[Bryant777]

Hello Everybody:

I'm Brian and heading to St. Petersburg this May 9 to earn my certification. I've been volunteering with the city literacy council since May 2002. My students for the most part hail from China and Korea earning their PhD or their spouses are. My originial plan was to teach in Japan under the Jet program but met my future wife back in 1994 but I'm happly divorced.

I'd like to share information here and make new friends during my stay abroad.

Has anyone attend the St. Benedict School ? How were the Russian Language survial classes ? Any tips for live in general in St. Petersburg would be very helpfull.

Sincerely,

Brian

[aussie tim]

Be very care ful of the Benedict School , St Petersburg. They promise a great salary and all the benefits when in fact it is the opposite when you arrive. They pay terrible salaries which are not good for St Petersburg. They have a TEFL course that is not the best although they will tell you otherwise, during this course they will charge some outrageous fee for rent which is a rip off. They are a business that see teachers not as a resource but as something that a profit can be made of.

I worked for them last summmer in Finland. I was on a lousy 50 Euros a week when promised 500 USD a month plus a bonus of 50 Euros a week for 28 hours a week teaching. The school never once offered to help me with re entry visas as promised. They also offered me a lousy salary when back in St Petersburg and would always call my girlfriends mobile from a landline ( in Russia the mobile user pays when called from a landline).
If you want a world recognised TEFL qualification , check out language link in st petersburg or bkc ih in Moscow. I am letting you know that they are a scam. Very very careful of them.
Tim

[bobs12]

Aussie Tim, do you know Karen the Yank?

[Bryant777]

Thanks Tim:

Sounds like I'm in deep trouble going with Ben, I paid a down payment with Via Lingua, maybe I can change schools. I'll just get my certification and look elsewhere for real work, they offer 3 USD an hour, hardly a real salary for St. P.

Tell me more about starting a school in Volograd, you asked for " who wants in . Maybe I do if I survive Ben !

Take Care Tim,

Brian

[bobs12]

They're still plying their $3 an hour nonsense? Bejabbers! Don't let them get away with that, for heaven's sake!

They tried that on me when I started, then when I accepted the job they told me the wage was actually $2 because I was unqualified, and that if I wanted $3 I should do their CELTA!!

From what I understand, they're not a problem as long as your visa doesn't rely on them. You could either do their (ahem) CELTA and go elsewhere, and then work with them, demanding proper wages, or get your CELTA somewhere else and then go and work with them. But not both in the one place

[Bryant777]

Hello There:

Well I have two problems:

1) I'm relying on Ben for the VISA. They sent it via DHL and US customs is clearing it because it weight 3lbs. Wonder what they are sending me. Should take no more than 10 days I heard from a Azerbaijan born co-worker of a friend who married a local guy.

2) With Tim's advise that they charge outrageous fees when relying on them for room and board I should look for an alternate place to live when I'm taking the course.

I sent my resume twice to Langage Links never hearing from them, maybe because I'm not British ? So I'll do the Ben couse and look elsewhere.

Does anyone know where to find and or stat to look for a place in St. P. ?

thanks,

Brian

thanks,

Brian

[bobs12]

Stay for a while, as long as it's not with a Ukranian woman named 'Rosa' - she'll rob you blind

They can't possibly send a visa that weighs 3 punds, that's crazy. All they can be sending is the invitation. Let us know what's in the packet when it arrives!

[Bryant777]

Hey Bob:

That's what my friend says," WTH is weighing three pounds ? " I asked Viktor what's the price staying with a Russian family and he hasn't gotten back to me.

I have a phone interview with GLOBUS INTERNATIONAL starting August, Moscow. Have you heard of them ? I researched them on line. I have to set a time for them to call.

Have a nice weekend Bob,

Brian

[bobs12]

Sorry, I don't know about Moscow Schools I'm sure there are folks here who might?

All depends on the family - some might take you in for next to nothing, especially if they have youngsters learning English. Others might rob you and move home when you're out at work

My curiosity as to what the heck they're sending you is getting unbearable!

Who's Viktor?

[Bryant777]

hey Bob:

Viktor Alexev is Ben's administrative assistant. Viktor reports to Natalya D. Rostovtseva, her names on the e-mails, have you heard of her ? He's the chap that does the leg work for invitations, visa, recrutiment and Lord knows what elese. I called him back in Jan-Feb for a Ben positoin but he yammed about it taking ages for VISA.

anywho...

Viktor had a fellow american chap e-mail yours truley because he's waiting his invitation also. DHL said US customs has a three pound packet so I assume Ben screwed - up sending all the inviations to me, what elese weighs three pounds. Don't think they send Vodka. If that's the case I'll send everyones invites myself to expedite.

I used to have a friend with the last name Benedict back in High Shcool, we called him Dave " Bent-dick. " I'm starting to refer to this school as such.

I'm calling US customs Monday to sort this nightmare out, but have the I'll get nowhere dealing govt. workers,

Whats going on in St P. for Victory Day May 9 other than thats the 1st day of Bent-dicks start of classes for your truley I'd love to see a parade, we Americans love parades !

Brian