Job Discussion Forums

[teacherpunk]

I'd like to get some general info about teaching in Russia, specifically Moscow. I have a degree and will have a years experience, no certificate though. Will I be able to get a job and some privates when I get there or do I need to get a cert. first?

I'm also looking for some information on the visa process. How can I insure that I won't have to leave after three months? Can I get a full 12 month business/work visa? Someone on another site mentioned something about getting residency, how do I go about getting residency and is that the best way to take care of things? I'm planning on coming over there after the summer and would like to get as much information as possible.

What about wages and expenses? I don't imagine I'll make as much as I am now in South Korea, but can I make enough to live and save a little, or at least enough to have some extra money for paying bills Stateside when I'm working?

Thanks

[canucktechie]

One, you are going to have a very hard time getting a job without a recognized teaching certificate, except for the internship programs at BKC or LL which pay next to nothing.

Two, you can no longer go in on your own with a business visa, you now have to get a school to sponsor you for a teaching visa. Don't even think about residency - that's for people married to Russians or in a similar situation.

Yes it's possible to save some money if you have a decent job, and do nothing but work and stay home, but if that's all you're going to do, you'd might as well stay in Korea.

Russia is not a place where someone with marginal qualifications can breeze in and make easy money. That place is where you are right now.

[teacherpunk]

Well, if I did get a cert would that improve my chances at getting a decent job enough to make it worth it? I have a degree and teaching experience as well as some brief experience writing curriculum here.

As far as certs go, should I waste my time looking into different ones or just get the CELTA?

[canucktechie]

Well certainly if you have a recognized certificate you should have no trouble getting a run of the mill job. CELTA is the most recognized.

Whether it's worth it is something you can only figure out for yourself. I can tell you that there is no regular work in Russia that pays better than Korea. Just look at the job postings here and on tefl.com.

[teacherpunk]

Well money isn't everything. You can at least still teach privates in Russia correct?

[mdk]

When I was teaching at a certain large teaching establishment in Moscow last year there were boo coo people teaching privates on the side and claiming to collect up to $80 per hour. I don�t know how true that was, but that�s what they said.... some of them.

The hassle is likely to be getting permission to hang out, now that the visa regs are somewhat tightened up. I have been thinking of going back and having a stab at teaching medical english .... someday.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

The key, right now, in Russia is finding a company/school that'll give you the proper visa support. What that means is that they have to help you attain a work (not business) visa and extend said visa (usually extended to the end of the contract). After this, they can extend it, at least in theory and by my understand, ad infinitum.
Getting private students can be lucrative, but you have to find the right students in the right economic strata. Basically you need to find businessmen or children of wealthy professionals.
Now, whether or not you will have time for private students is another matter. Most (probably all) schools will want you to work full-time if they're going to go through the process of extending your visa and whatnot. That means you might not have a lot of spare time to teach privately.
The new visa regulations haven't tightened things up a "bit"; it's tightened things up considerably.
As Canuck said, you can get a residency permit (I'm in the process), but you basically need to be married to a Russian.
Good luck!

[spiral78]

The conventional wisdom on privates everywhere is that it takes some time to build a clientele that will be stable enough - and lucrative enough- to be worth it.

I wouldn't expect to walk into Moscow and make any substantial money in the first year. It takes time to get established.

[teacherpunk]

Cool. With regards to the privates, I do realize that those things take time. I was more concerned with the legality of it. As some of you probably already know, privates are for all intents and purposes illegal here in Korea.

Is it possible to get a job at a school that actually pays decent wages? The ones I've looked through seem to have very low pay. Of course the benefit of some of these, or one in particular, is that I could get my certificate there and have them set me up with a job as soon as I'm finished. I'm wondering if the better long term plan, however, might be to get my cert someplace else. If there are some schools that have more livable wages, meaning more than $1000-$1200USD monthly, than it seems like that might be the best route.

[maruss]

I saw so many people go to Russia thinking they could easily make money by teaching the elite and their kids etc!Of course there are so many who are already doing just that,and despite the new visa rules,it doesn't mean the place is desperate for private teachers!Even $1200 is peanuts nowadays when the firm gives you accomodation and if you are going freelance and paying your own way, think of double that amount at least!That's if you can find a firm who will give you a work-permit without tying you down to their schedules and using you as they think fit!Have you any idea what its like to live and commute in Moscow before you imagine finding time do give private lessons after that?My advice-go there first on an inspection visit for a week or more,check it out and then think whether it's worth it!
Forewarned is forearmed!

[canucktechie]

Maruss' point is a good one, now that a school has to sponsor you for a work visa, why should they allow you to work for yourself for high pay when they can make you work for them for low pay?

If you want to know how much you can get from a school on an hourly basis (i.e. NO accommodation, airfare, etc) you're looking at $25/hour, tops.

If you're already in Moscow and know people you might be able to get a school to sponsor you and let you work part time, so you have time to teach privates and make more money. From outside the country, not much chance.

[maruss]

If you can manage 5 academic hours perday 5 days per week,that will give you around $2.500 per month which is what I was getting back in 2005/6.But the cost of living was cheaper then,the dollar was worth around 30 roubles and appartment rents were MUCH cheaper(40-50%!!)
Unless you can find top-level private students,there is no way you can earn more than the above figure working for a firm,especially as a beginner in Moscow and remember that those 5 hours per day could be in different locations all over Moscow and with long gaps between them which you will use either commuting or hanging around trying to kill time!They could start as early as 08.00 and finsh as late as 21.00!Anyone who manages to get all their hours at the firms offices or in one location is on to a very good number and believe you me such jobs are highly prized!Just try commuting on the metro and buses for even a week and you will understand why!I actually enjoyed most of the teaching I did in Moscow,but the travelling etc. did me in and that's one of the reasons why I always caution newbies like this guy!

[BELS]

No easy money even for those with a certicate, especially for a firs timer coming on a years contract.

Let's be honest about it, the money is garbage and it has hardly risen over the past few years in comparison to the high rate of inflation we have here.

Oh! and this middle class or same money claim as the same as a professional Russian. Of which a major language centre is claiming on there website.

Absolute garbage.

[BELS]

[maruss]

Best advice, listen to Bels and another guy called Rusmeister-they know!