Job Discussion Forums

[Texan1975]

I'm new to the TEFL world, and will be earning my TEFL certificate in Prague in August. I've been leaning towards teaching in Russia or the Baltics since I know some of the language and have always wanted to spend some time there. For all of you who have posted info on this site about Russia, thank you very much, as the info has been very helpful.
If you were a first time TEFL teacher headed to Russia, which company/school would you prefer? I've been reading about BKC and EF, both of which seem to have some definite good and bad points about them. I have no delusions that life in Russia will be difficult at times, but I would like sufficient time to study the language and do some sightseeing, and not spend 100% of my time teaching English. From what I've heard from some of you BKC makes you work very hard with little time for study or traveling.
Thanks, Jonathan

[BELS]

From what one experienced member stated recently in the CELTA thread, BKC pays $600 month for working about 12 hours per week, plus free accomadation. That sounds good to me for a beginner coming to Moscow for the first time.

Seriously, I think you should carefully ask the questions yourself to BKC and Language Link. I am no strong supporter of either, but its your only option as a beginner and coming to Russia for the first time. Lots to cover, not least work invitation.

Language Link provides Russian lessons to teachers at a discount rate.
But please check both sites carefuly, and ask every question you can think of.
I am not sure if EFL is able to provide work invitations themselves. check it out, when you receive an invitation to work, it must have the schools address on the invitation

[Nexus]

[canucktechie]

I have looked at EF Russia's web site and it appears that they want you to work 35 (!) academic hours a week and do not provide accommodation. I knew a guy who did some hourly work for EF and was happy with them, but that's a different situation.

BKC is a member of International House which does provide some advantages, such as an internal transfer system and teacher training courses. IH also has a good reputation so it looks good on your CV. The downsides of BKC are for the most part related to the business side of the school, rather than the academic side.

Don't know much about LL although they don't advertise for people nearly as much as BKC, so you may draw your own conclusions.

[Katyusha]

BKC and LL are owned by the same people?!? Interesting! I am sure the owners themselves probably wouldn't agree with you.

[Nexus]

[maruss]

There are plenty of ex-pats-and even Russians working in Moscow who earn well over $2000 per month nowadays(not perhaps in teaching,admittedly!) and quite a few who get DOUBLE that!!This is why I hate the way these organisations exploit naive foreigners by pretending they pay them supposedly 'middle class' salaries!!Sure there are poorer people in Moscow earning a few hundred bucks per month, and living in overty in miserable high rise blocks etc.but why join them????
If you just want to experience Russian life and find a way to get into the place,then these jobs are a stepping stone,but that's all!

Run comrades, run!!

[Katyusha]

Quite a few freelance EFL teachers earn well over US$2000 a month, you know.

[31]

2000 dollars a month from freelance tefling? Bollox.

[Nexus]

Not bollox at all. I work freelance and have a comfortable income without even trying too hard.

[canucktechie]

Most freelancers charge about $30/hour so $2000/month is about 70 hours and yes, that's doable.

But don't think for a minute it's easy. I know a lot of freelancers. The reason people go to freelancers instead of the schools is so they can have lessons when they want them, not when you want them. If someone is taking a course at a school and they don't show up, the school gets paid anyway. Not so with you.

Sure if you've got yourself a quality clientele you've got it easy. But you're not going to just breeze into Russia and set yourself up in a month or two.

And when you're comparing compensation with the schools, you also have to factor in the benefits that the school provides, not just the base salary.

[Nexus]

[Nexus]

[Katyusha]

You can always check with the bosses themselves at BKC and LL. I am sure that they would be quite willing to discuss their business history with you.

[canucktechie]

I don't claim to know the absolute truth (if it exists at all in Russia), but if BKC and LL are actually owned by the same people, they are doing a very good job of hiding this from the employees.