Job Discussion Forums

Prince Frog · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 6

Hello,

I was wondering how possible it is to use ESL in the RF as a means to find better, higher paying work. Specifically, with average Russian and the gumption to try to find something with a better wage, how likely is it that this is possible? I would be interested to read some personal stories of how people got work over there. I know this is an ESL forum, but perhaps some of you have had experiences in other lines of work within the RF. Thanks everyone.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

No it is TEFL or nothing.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

I wouldn't agree with that- I have known a fair few people here in Moscow who came over here as EFL teachers and then went to work for other companies (KPMG, Shell, The Moscow Times, Reuters, to name but a few). Not easy but it does happen. However, I have no idea if this is the easiest route to such work in Russia- you may be better off applying from wherever you are now and missing out the EFL part altogether.

Trojan Horse · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Europe

I only know people who were employed from their home country and went over to Russia with all the benefits of an ex-pat life-style, lawyers etc. They get an excellent deal but I don't know what your chances would be. There are a few jobs on here but nothing mind boggling, might give you an idea of the job scene though:

http://www.expat.ru/vacancies.php

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Well, my knowledge is anecdotal but here goes:

I met an English guy with a degree in Russian and a Russian wife; he couldn't get any job in Moscow other than ESL.

On the other hand, I speak very elementary Russian - real khoroshoa, privyet stuff - but in a provincial city some hundreds of miles from Moscow, I was invited (practically headhunted) by a university (ok this would have been more poorly paid than an ESL school but more fun) and also by an industrial firm wanting my skills as a computer programmer combined with the comparative rarity of having an Englishman that far out in the sticks.

I guess that means that you might have more luck where Brits are less
commonplace. Not that I'd gamble heavily on it.