Job Discussion Forums

SunnyLee · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Hi All. This is my first post here and I would love to get some help from all the old hands out there. I am in Moscow and am looking for a change of job. Really don�t want to go to any of the Big Schools so I was interested in a British-run outfit called IPT. Was. Thing is, some of my buddies heard good and bad things about it. Mainly good stuff, but in the mix I hear tell the dos there seems to be a bit � I dunno, strange. She says way off things to staff. No people skills. I was going to apply there for work, but am put off by these rumors. Are they just rumors? How bad can a dos be? Should I go for the job anyway? Anyone got any hard info?

thanks a bunch!

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Why not apply and if you get an interview then you'll probably get to meet her face-to-face and you can make your own impressions (and maybe get to exchange a few words with some of the current teaching staff there or at least see how she interact with them)? If you get a bad feeling then you can turn the job down.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Presuming you already have somewhere to live and know how to get around etc. you have considerable bargaining power over other people who are at the mercy of the big firms when they sign a contract in return for dubious benefits such as shared accom. and end up working for peanuts!But what kind of visa do you have?Is it a multiple-entry business-these now mean you have to leave after 90 days and cannot come back for another 90 minimum!If you have a work permit as a teacher then this restriction is waivered but then they are issued by a particular firm and they could prevent you from going anywhere else to work....
Employment contracts in Russia,tend to be for the employers benefit rather than yours so you need to keep this in mind and cover your back!
Firms and their directors vary,as do peoples opinions of them,depending on experiences and how much they like you!You could visit expat.ru site and under employment vacancies you will find some interesting options:
Contact Chrichton Brauer at Globus who is also British and very up-front,as is the info. on his web-site about living and working in Moscow-he is a nice guy and will be decent if you are too!Also visit nativespeakers.ru-they pay good hourly rates !
As you have no doubt already found out.it is expensive there so try to get at least the equivalent of $25 per academic hour,especially now the rate has dropped to around 23 roubles!Avoid the big three'Macdonalds firms' unless they pay you very good hourly rates,which I doubt and always remember to allow time for commuting when you take on a lesson schedule as this can waste a lot of your time-and energy!Unless they are all on one site,I wouldn't aim to do more than 5 or 6 academic hours per day as it will do you in,believe you me!
Let me know how it goes and all the best.You can p.m. me for more info. if you like.

Seeker of truth · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 146

Sunnylee,
You might want to check out this site:

http://www.russian-detective.com/

Make sure you've thought everything through before making any major decision like this.

SunnyLee · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks for all the replies, people. Mike_2007, you are right about making my own impressions, and I will do just that soon. Only wanted to see what other info was out there first. And Maruss, good info too, and thank you, but I am only new to the forum, not Moscow. Not so sure that a detective agency is required, though! Only wanna a job, not a significant other Very Happy

If anyone else has any info, please put it on the thread and I'll post my experiences up too.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

If you have accomodation in Moscow,and most important,a work visa,then you have already dealt with two of the main obstacles for foreigners wanting to live and work there!The former is an economic one due to the very high demand which has driven up prices to unbelievable levels compared to those of just a year or two ago and the other is bureaucratic and arose last year when the authorities changed the rules about business visas etc!
There are a number of firms who need people and pay good hourly rates so it's a question of whether they like you and your abilities and experience etc. and what you can persuade them to offer you in return for your services!Also have in mind that you can of course take private students to supplement your income from the amount you make from lessons you do for a company.Don't forget that work has a habit of drying-up from May to September when people start going to their dachas or go on holiday abroad etc!Many teachers overlook this!

123go · Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I'm new in Moscow and working for one of the big chain schools - the biggest by the looks of it. However, before I came here I had an interview with the DOS at IPT and it was a guy - Australian I think - definitely not a "she".

I thought it sounded fine and I'm thinking of popping in now I'm here as I don't much like the kids / teen classes I have on my schedule. I've got three years experience and would prefer adults / company work.

Are you sure your friends have got the right info?

SunnyLee · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Hi again! I didn't post on this thread coz I was so busy. But I notice a new question. The answer is yes I am sure about the info. Don't know about any australians there, but there is a mix of nationalites in the school. However, the DOS is absolutely a russian girl to my mind. Maybe you spoke to another staff member? If so, I think you'll not be dealing with him on a day-to-day basis. At least that what I hear from my buddies. Check it out for yourself, I guess. But good luck

SunnyLee · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Just to let people know, I went to the interview. The DOS was definetely a russian girl, as I was told. I have to say it was a very strange interview. It didn't matter much to her about my teaching skills, she just wanted to make sure I was available and for me to accept the terms and conditions which, were very similar to EF. I didn't have a very positive impression. The office itself seemed nice, butit was mainly in-company classes which, don't really suit me. Has anyone else worked there? Any first hand experience of working there?

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Similar to EF???Sign on the line and don't bother to read the contract because its for their benefit,not yours!You could have tried telling her you don't even know English yourself and they would have probably given you the job!When you can smell a rat you usually avoid it,and in Russia the slightest suspicion or doubt must be heeded because what could go wrong usually does,big time!
Take it from someone who has been there, done it and knows what it feels like to have a ton of bricks fall on your head!!

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

From my experience there 1:1, adult integration groups and in-company were the best lessons to teach but it depends on you.If you really enjoy teaching kids and have the patience and skills to do it effectively,then by all means do,but not for the money many firms offer!Have a look at BELS posts on this site for more info.