Job Discussion Forums

bigmak · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

1. Can you do a DELTA anywhere in Moscow (not distance)? Where/with whom? $?
2. Do the 'big schools' employ non-natives as TEFLers? If so, do YOU know personally know this or is it a case of, 'I've heard...' or, 'I know someone...', etc.?

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Alright BigMak?

BKC offer the DELTA during July/August. Check out their website www.bkc.ru for prices.

Language Link employ non-native speakers but only Russians. Sunny Plus also employ non-natives (though you will be asked to pretend to come from deepest Lancashire or suchlike and to invent a whole biography to go with your newfound nationality in case any of the students ask). I am sure a few people on here can add to the list- most schools here are not very fussy.

Hope this helps.

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

I personally know several Russian ADOS's at BKC, and many teachers from Russia and elsewhere. A recognisable foreign accent does not seem to be a problem. Upon my first meeting with one of the ADOS's I thought she was a native, and there is a teacher who sounds just like one - she had lived in the UK since she was a teenager. I can tell that the others are not natives, although some don't obviously sound Russian or whatever.

As far as I know BKC does not try to pass off non-native speakers as natives.

Katyusha · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 43 Location: UAE

Unfortunately BKC doesn't offer DELTA every year. There is one running at the moment, but the one before was 2 years ago.

bigmak · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

Thanks for your help; I trust Moscow is still 'Wild East' enough to kill a couple of years? Or has it become a bigger, dustier version of Milton Keynes?

Slim Jim · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 24 Location: United Kingdom

Hi Stevey Gerrard,
You mentioned SunnyPlus. Have you worked there? Do you know if Simon, Mark, Hussein and the old guys are still there? Had an interview in Moscow once but couldn't bare the idea of working under the Russian managerial set-up they had, although the money seemed good for Moscow. Recall an office/teacher's room the size of a largish cupboard, no room to swing a street cat. Tough, no-nonsense, jackboot-wearing woman in control of the show had a stare to freeze your dingle-danglers. BBBrrrrrr!!!

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

The thing about Sunny is that despite it's faults, it does at least pay it's teachers a decent enough wage. You get the same old crap in most schools in Moscow (small staffroom, mad local staff etc) but ususally for far less pay.

As for the guys you mentioned, I don't know if they still work there, sorry.

Katyusha · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 43 Location: UAE

Simon who? Mark who? A lot of Simons and Marks TEFLing in Moscow, you know.

Slim Jim · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 24 Location: United Kingdom

Simon, from Liverpool. Mark from Yorkshire somewhere - had a well-dined midriff I seem to recall. Nice chap from Iraq by the name of Hussein - Heaven knows what he thinks of the mess his country's in now. What draws you to the UAE if's not too impolite to ask? Sunshine on tap, I suppose.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

If Katyushka is indeed in UAE......

Don't you think you should edit your comments, Slim Jim? I don't think anyone would like their names bandied about on here, nor appreciate some of the comments made either.

Slim Jim · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 24 Location: United Kingdom

Chill out, Steve.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Well, I wouldn't like to be described as having a "well-dined midriff", would you? Wink