Job Discussion Forums

Mnizzle · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Colorado

Hello all...
I am still planning on moving to Russia (Moscow) this fall. I have no certification to teach English. The programs that I am looking at all require the CELTA. There is no CELTA course in my hometown (Pittsburgh, PA). It looks like I should just go to Russia and get certified by one of the programs that might hire me following the CELTA course. I would not have a job guarantee before my arrival there. Is it too big a risk to move to Russia without a job??? Are there private agencies that can find me a nice apartment so that I don't have to move there without plans? Please help!!!!
Any information at all, even if slightly unrelated, is welcome.
Maureen Surprised

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

I believe both BKC and Language Link offer CELTA courses in Moscow. If you take the course and do OK I think either school would be happy to hire you. Also they take care of accommodation for CELTA students and teachers.

The big schools (BKC in particular) have a lot of detractors but I think they are a good idea for a newcomer. The school will take care of your housing, visa, etc. so you can focus on your job. You get to meet a lot of people and learn the ropes. A lot of people work for one of the big schools for a year or two, then go on to a smaller school and/or work freelance.

I would not recommend that anyone just show up in Moscow and look for a job, even those who already have a CELTA and/or experience. It's just too expensive, and the pay in Russia is not adequate to recoup such expenses. Of course, if you know someone to stay with, that's another story.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

I'll second that,especially with Moscow which can be very expensive for a foreigner who has no Russian contacts and nowhere to stay either!Finding an appartment which is under $1000 per month if you use an agency will be almost impossible and be warned,it is as unfriendly,if not more so than any big western city-people are generally very unhelpful there or at best indifferent to strangers and ripping-off unsuspecting foreigners is a hobby for many of them!Once you know Russians and make friends though, you can be amazed at the difference!