Job Discussion Forums

[JessInRussia]

Hi all

After a reasonably good stint in Surgut at The Surgut School of Foreign Languages, I have decided to spill the beans. So here is the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. Ugly, you might ask? Well, since I am not so experienced, I did burn my little finger. But that's a whole new story altogether...

Surgut is a great town and there are a few great schools there. I myself taught only for three months, resigning to move to Ekaterinburg, where I have since found an even better position. It was over the 2005/2006 winter period, the hardest winter in 40 years, they told me. The mercury dropped to -56 in early January.

When I applied for the Surgut School of Foreign Languages, I received a call from England, not Russia. Although using a recruitment agency in London can be efficient, this agency sent me very incorrect data regarding the school's contract. Furthermore, they told me I would teach adults (which my CELTA qualified me for), but I never taught one student over 18. So make sure you PHONE the school and speak to someone (they speak English at reception).

Even so, it is truly a great school, funded by a very wealthy man who owns a large building company in Surgut itself. The teachers are well qualified and the Director of Studies is highly experienced in teacher training as well as normal English teaching. So there are very adequate facilities, hundreds of students and a very warm (no pun intended) atmosphere.

The town itself is what you make of it. It is easy to make friends and you should make use of this opportunity to make the most of your stay there. The best times I had there were at small parties at people's (even smaller) flats. The vodka and beer flow freely, the music plays, your Russian improves, and yes, the girls are stunning.

The contract sounds awesome - $800 in cash (fixed at RUB24,000), free return airfare, free VISA costs, free excellent accommodation, free mobile cards, free water and electricity, free transport, etc. For a starting position, it is like heaven, financially. They even pay all your pre-expenses (flight, etc) back within your first week!! Talk about trust!

However, I must warn you about one fact - the Executive Director director of the school is not very professional, and has a terrible reputation. So much so, that the teachers do not respect her and instead, fear her. An average of one (Russian) teacher leaves the school each and every month. After some time in this school, for various reasons I decided it better to leave (the contract allowed for resignation with two weeks notice). Suddenly, my salary was withheld from me, in breach of the contract, and the terror of the director flowed my way. Your contract means very little in her eyes. Since I have left a month ago, others have too.

Even though I had this bad experience, I realise that others have had worse in TEFL, even in Russia. If you want to join this school, I would definitely advise you to go for it - it is the experience of a lifetime. But NOT if Tatiana Aleksandrovna is still the Executive Director...

Good luck
Jess

[Seeker of truth]

Jess,
You write that one Russian teacher leaves every month. In other words, the turnover is high on the Russian side. Does that mean they treat expats poorly too?

I've seen this in other countries where the local staff is treated either better or worse, depending on circumstances, than the expat staff.

If you broke your contract after they treated you with trust (i.e. paying for your return airfare upon your arrival), why would you expect them to continue treating you royally?

[JessInRussia]

Hi again

Yes, Seeker of Truth, you ask a good question and exactly that was my lesson. In the contract you were allowed to resign, whereas they were not allowed to take away money. I'm not the most experienced of teachers yet, so I learnt that things can change when one party decides it's time to stop.

However, I'm not just trying to vent my anger at losing some money; the school director really isn't someone you want to be working for. I have kept in contact and since been informed that another foreign teacher has left and no foreign teacher working there is returning for another year.

Jess

[bobs12]

This is useful stuff folks. Can somebody post the contact details and address of the school? I'll put it in the directory. If you have a moment to add your review I'll buy you a beer (on condition you collect it from St. Pete's

[JessInRussia]

Hi there

The address from my old contract is: 39, 30 Let Pobedy Street, 628400 Surgut, Russian Federation. I know that the main part of the school is however in another street called Ostrovskogo.

I think that one day I might just be in Peter and then you'll have to remember about that beer! I'm serious!

Cheers
Jess

[JessInRussia]

Just to let you know that one native speaking English teacher from the Surgut School of Foreign Languages, the senior teacher Rob, has decided to stay at this school for next year. If you are interested in this school, despite the warnings all over this forum, email me and I will give you his details.

But, as those warnings have clearly pointed out, be warned!! Be very warned!!!!

[maruss]

When you can earn $2000 per month in Moscow(or even more!) then surely to endure somewhere like this, which is literally in the middle of Siberia and an ugly, mafia-run oil town full of 'rednecks' and expensive Ukrainian whores,I would want at least $3000 to even consider it for a few months, especially in winter!If you really must punish yourself, consider Tyumen in stead which at least has some historical interest and nicer people!

[JessInRussia]

Have you even been to Surgut?

I suppose some of your comments are true. But then again, I wouldn't know how much the whores cost...

[maruss]

Hi there-I've only been to Surgut once for a few days and that was enough!Tyumen is definitely nicer,probably because it is a real old russian town with history and picturesque buildings etc.
Sorry if I offended you with my remarks about ladies of a 'certain profession'-I've no idea either exactly what they charge although as a general rule, nothing in oil towns is cheap!But then I suppose that applies all over the world!
By the way, there were apparently big protests in Surgut the other day by striking workers etc.
Have a good weekend and all the best!