Job Discussion Forums

[hnb1]

Hi,

I'm about to graduate with a BA in English in December. I've tutored English grammar and composition (for a non-prof, Kaplan, and private gigs) but not as a foreign language. Have also done some volunteer stuff with kids. I don't have a certificate, but I really want to teach in a Russian speaking country, as I've studied Russian for a few years and also spent a semester in SPb. Basically I love teaching, love kids, and really want to continue improving my Russian language skills. I've scoured the internet, sent my resume to a few places, but no dice. It seems like the certificate thing is a big barrier. I'm not a big spender, so I can live on a modest salary. I'm ideally looking for work starting in January or February. Is this impossible? Where should I look?

Thanks for your help!

[Red and white]

I don't want to be unduly negative, but the lack of a qualification will kill you. For 2010 Russia has halfed its quota for foreign workers (in pretty much any field) meaning that anyone planning to come and work here needs to either (a) be in already or (b) have a clear skillset that puts them ahead of a local. There's this recession going on, you see ...

At the same time the old loopholes about getting teaching visas without needing to have your quals checked are closing fast. Earlier this year it was announced that legislation was being introduced to require any education professional to get a work permit (previously not needed). To get a work permit you need to demonstrate an appropriate certificate or extensive work experience in that field.

So unless you have Russian citizenship you're going to find it very, very tough. You might plausibly find some volunteer post in the CIS via something like VSO or PCV (depending on nationality) but western NGOs are not very welcome in Russia at the moment. And, teaching English in rural Azerbaijan (as some friends of mine have done) tends to improve your Azeri more than your Russian. PCV especially don't hurry to take people to the big cities - it's very much the provinces where Russian probably didn't penetrate very far during Tsarist and Soviet times.

Maybe someone else can give a more encouraging perspective, but if I were you I'd get CELTA'd up and try from there. Sorry.

[hnb1]

thanks r&w. yeah, i figured as much. im looking into getting the CELTA now. but it's SO expensive. ahhh.

[beachguy69]

Yes, Ukraine is doing the same. They are making it very difficult to stay here. The only way you can stay here for a year is to obtain a work permit. The problem here is 99% of the schools will not give you one.
Working here in Ukraine will become more difficult and many Americans will be leaving in the next six months.

[Sashadroogie]

Sorry hnb1, but it think what other posters have written is spot on. You'll need the CELTA at least. Good luck.

[coledavis]

Quite a few Russian schools are employing people, especially out in Siberia. You'll need the CELTA, as you now know. When you've got it, pm me and I can let you know some schools which sometimes take native speakers.

[beachguy69]

That is not what you need. That is not the only paper that schools will accept.

[norwalkesl]

[beachguy69]

Everyone here will tell you that Celta is neccessary. You can get a TEFL on line cheaper.
If you show up in a country you can get a job.
The teaching experience is worth much more then all these papers. I have met teachers with Celta and some are good and some are not so good.
Do not let this stop your dream. If I can help let me know.

[coledavis]

While I am willing to concede that not all CELTA holders are good teachers, I think advising people to take another qualification is unwise, and suggesting an online course (if you mean solely online) is completely against the interests of the person you pretend to be helping.

Dealing with the easy question first, online courses: this is dealt with at length on various other threads. Suffice it to say that no employer is interested in somebody with knowledge but no practical experience and they have been ignoring online courses for a long time.

On the subject of CELTA: yes, Trinity is an alternative, as are other courses. Other courses are generally not a good idea, because (a) they are probably unregulated (so you don't know about how good they are, and even if they are good, your prospective employer doesn't know either) and (b) they aren't well recognised by employers. Even when looking at other good courses, CELTA is still a better bet because of its worldwide recognition; employers ask for it. Just look through the jobs pages, on this web site and elsewhere. CELTA is asked for by most; Trinity by some; 'other' comes a poor third. Why handicap yourself?

Yes, most of us will recommend the CELTA. That's because we're trying to help our fellow human beings to decent opportunities in life. I'm not paid by Cambridge (wish I was) and I'm sure most of the others saying the same thing are also not in that enviable position.

[coledavis]

While experience is very useful, some tutoring and some helping out with kids is not, with respect, teaching. And employers won't consider it so. And when you have to teach for a prolonged time at a school, you won't either.

Such experience as you have will count for something, both on your CELTA and on top of the qualification. It will help. But this amount of experience will not substitute for the qualification. And your BA in English, with CELTA and this experience should make you more attractive than somebody with a less relevant degree and one without any experience at all.

[beachguy69]

How many countries have you taught in? Do you know what each one wants or requires?
You are saying to look at the ads, but most jobs are advertised locally

[coledavis]

[hnb1]

thank you, everyone, for your input. although it seems that the CELTA isn't *absolutely* necessary, it would probably be a worthwhile investment, especially seeing as how the city I live in currently has a CELTA program. From what I've looked into, only a handful of cities in the US offer it, so I guess for me it would be a bit cheaper since I don't have to cover the costs of travel and accommodation in order to get certified. And even though it isn't necessary for employment, I think it would definitely be a good option for a person like me who hasn't had any actual classroom/ESL experience. I dont think I'd get the feel for working in a classroom by just taking an online course

While I've been told by others also that I can easily get a job by just showing up in a country, I wouldn't feel comfortable spending all that money on airfare and significant start up costs with no definite prospects. After all, I am yr usual broke college student.

I think what I'm going to do is take the CELTA course here, live at home and find some part time ESL work (i live very close to Mexico, so i think the demand for ESL teachers and tutors is pretty high). That way i can get some experience while saving some money, then probably apply for a job in Russia for the fall of 2010. So next question--when should I start looking for work for a September 2010 start? April/May?

[hnb1]

oh and coledavis, id definitely be interested in working in Siberia. While I loved St. Petersburg, I'm looking for a more "Russian" experience (whatever that means )