Job Discussion Forums

[seliwyma]

Hello everyone,

I have been offered a position with Language Link in Samara as part of their Teacher-Intern program.

I have been browsing this forum and it is pretty clear what most people think of Language Link! However I was relieved to see in one discussion someone said that the Samara LL was the "jewel in the crown" (and Ufa the rotten apple!).

I would love to hear from someone who has had recent experience in the Samara LL school. Were they friendly? Helpful? Was the accommodation a reasonable distance from the school? Was the accommodation livable?

I should make clear that I do come to this job as a "backpacker" and I understand the views that many of you have about that - especially when you are working in the field as professionals.

I understand that $600 a month isn't considered a lot. However when I compare that to what I have in London it isn't a great difference. Here in London after paying rent and utilities I normally have �300 to pay for transport (�100), food and phone (�150) and going out (�50). As the accommodation and utilities are paid for by language link I have a similar amount (with $600 roughly equaling �300 last time i checked) to cover food, transport, phone and fun in Samara. I don't expect the accommodation to be flash. I know I'll probably be washing my clothes in the bath but I really don't care. I am going to Russia for the adventure and to improve my Russian.

I just thought it would be wise to check that the Samara LL isn't one of these nightmare joints that people keep warning about!

I was also wondering if someone would mind giving some specific info on the cost of daily items. How much is....

A loaf of bread?

1kg of rice?

1Ltr of milk?

I am interested to see if it does come in at a similar level as to what I pay here in London or if it is cheaper/dearer.

Well....many thanks!

Selina

[maruss]

Make sure it really is in Samara, and not in Togliatti which is an awful place
-the drug-abuse capital of the Volga region etc etc
You shouldn't have to wash your clothes in the bath either in any Russian city nowadays!Washing machines are widely used and available!
Samara is not actually that bad in comparison to many other Russian cities-it has an old,historical quarter and is far less polluted and overcrowded than Moscow-and friendlier!Im presuming you can at least get by in Russian because there are not many foregners in such places.

[rogan]

check out the women's basketball team - a couple of players are American and French

[seliwyma]

Hi guys,

Thanks for replying!

Yes...I speak survival Russian now, and I plan on learning a lot more before I leave. I got a good impression of Samara from what I have been able to see on the internet and reading about it in guide books.

I think I will enjoy it so much more than I would Moscow...I like smaller cities, and I like that there is the opportunity to get out into nature.

I would actually be happier to mix mostly with Russians outside of the school...I really want to be able to immerse myself in the culture and the language! Another reason for choosing a smaller city a bit of the tourist track!

I am pretty certain that the job is in the city of Samara (not Togliatti). During the interview they said that the teacher interns are only posted to cities that have larger schools with suitable training facilities. I get the impression that Togliatti would be a lot smaller than Samara. Also, on the website all of the information was for the city of Samara as well. I will double check all of this with Language Link though.

Thanks again )

[maruss]

You are most welcome!You might try sending a P.M. to Rogan-he is an old-hand on Russia and I think he knows Samara well.You are definitely right about it being a much nicer place than Moscow from almost every viewpoint!But do remember that LL schools are run as franchises and vary tremendously from place to place.The one in Krasnoyarsk, for example has been the subject of some very bad reports on this site.....Probably the best advice I can give you is to ask as many questions as posssible about everything BEFORE you accept the job and agree to go there and especially with Russia,if something does not sound right then take it that it probably isn't,rather than leave it to chance!If you can get their names,also try to call or contact any other foreign teachers who already work there for first-hand advice.

[LJKSU]

Do not go to Samara to work for Language Link! You will highly regret this because they do not care about their foreign teachers at all!

Most people who start working in Samara for LL do not finish the contract because of KATE CHINKOVA aka "the bulldog". I seriously warn you not to work for this school.

However, if you insist... do not work for the teacher-intern job!! I must insist! You will have the same exact work as a teacher but you will get paid half as much! Apply as a teacher instead and at least you'll get your $950 a month from them instead of $600!

I saw this firsthand. I was a teacher and someone came from Canada under the intern program and he was paid less but worked just as frequently as I did and he was in his forties and I'm in my mid-twenties and in my honest opinion, he was more qualified than I was.

But don't go there anyway to teach, unless Kate Chinkova has moved elsewhere to terrorize others. If you have your heart set on Samara, there are other schools there. Don't go to Tolyatti.

[maruss]

Marry Kate Chinkova if you can force yourself to do it and then perhaps she will at least try to treat people decently if someone is keeeping her happy !!! (Joke Joke!)