Job Discussion Forums

[housecattn]

I am very much interested in teaching ESL in Russia or the Ukraine


As I mentioned in another post in Newbies:

I am 56 with a BS in computer science, 25 years experience as a Systems Analyst. The last 15 have been in top 20 US Universities. I am currently an IT manager but I am not satisfied as I do not feel I am making a difference. With my position about to be reorged I have decided that it is time to consider new career options.

I am considering ESL as a serious career change not just a lark. Once I am in a position to do so I will take a CELTA course.

I have no traditional class room teaching experience but have taught in various environments and enjoy it very much. (presentations, programming language classes to co-workers, sunday school, etc.)

Is my background potentially useful in teaching either Business English, ESP of some sort or as a useful adjunct to a regular ESL teaching position?

I recognize that part of the world are difficult right now but that is where I want to be and wish to be as prepared as I can. I am certainly not looking to make much money but do want to make enough to live on.

Any serious advice is appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

[canucktechie]

Sure it will be of value if you are teaching people with a similar background. The question is whether this will be good enough to get you a job when you are being faced with competition from people who are already here. There is only one way to find that out and that's to apply. I can tell you though that the employment situation is the toughest that it has been for many years.

I just noticed that you said you have not taken the CELTA course yet. By the time you have done so it will be far too late to apply for a position in September. You would have to wait for the next hiring cycle in January IMHO.

What I would advise you to do is try to get some time off from your job to take the CELTA without quitting. This is not the time to be burning your bridges.

[coledavis]

I'm not disagreeing with Canucktechie, just offering a different slant. Firstly, be careful about the idea of 'making a difference'. People may appreciate your hard work and helpfulness, but just how much difference one makes to a society as a TEFL is debatable. In terms of appreciation, if you can find a job out here in the wilds (e.g. Siberia), then you are appreciated as a native speaker. There are jobs, but they take a bit of finding. If you haven't been to Russia before, you may do well to join one of the 'Macdonald'-type firms first, merely because they look after you (like sausage meat, I suppose). Then apply for the jobs in the wild and wackier places, perhaps. There is work. Even if you don't get into Russia at first go, there's China, I guess.

Re: the Business English idea: well, you will have rather more organisational experience than some younger entrants to TEFL.

Yes, experience of teaching others is useful, as you will probably get less stage fright on the CELTA. Also, this should go on your first TEFL application / CV. This combined with the CELTA might just give you a somewhat better job than the Macjobs on offer to most newbies. Although note again my point about culture shock if you're not someone with experience of Russia.

Re money to live on. The decent jobs, at educational centres (language schools), tend to mean free accommodation with a reasonable (but Russian) salary on top. University jobs may mean student digs and considerably less pay; although, ironically enough, you may need a masters in linguistics to get a university job!

[housecattn]

Thanks!!

Sadly getting time away is unlikely as the job will be gone before winter.

I do not anticipate making the September hiring season, perhaps January if applicable. I am currently doing the oxfordseminars course to get my feet wet and help me with the mental gear changing and perhaps give me a chance to do a little volunteer work here until i can go for the CELTA etc.

Would Sunday school teaching be relevant enough to add to my CV or will it hinder?

Out of my years of work I have been a technical lead/team leader/project lead over 15 years. Last 3 as the IT manager for a school in the university. I frankly have found the politics at his level to be a bit out of my comfort zone.

I do not expect to make a difference in the culture, I want a chance to maybe do so for some individuals. Several teachers made a profound difference in my life. If I can do a little of that for even a few people then I will have something to treasure.

I have finished raising my kids into pretty tolerable adults, I am single now and the need to do the serious wage earning thing no longer prevents me from doing something to give back.

Thanks again, Mike

[spiral78]

I dunno if I've mentioned that I worked 1) on a project with Russian students for Exxon for three years and 2) taught at LUKOil in Moscow, a 4-month intensive. I realize that's not extensive Russia experience, and bow to the much greater expertise of the regulars on this board, but I hope you won't mind if I throw in a couple of pennies, for whatever they're worth.

Would Sunday school teaching be relevant enough to add to my CV or will it hinder?

I vote 'hinder' on this aspect. Personal religion not being a given in this part of the world, and the predominant one not featuring Sunday schools, and considering the reputation of those Jehovah's Witnesses who push their religion in most major cities...I think the impression is more likely to be negative than positive. You are also likely to find yourself explaining what the heck it even is...and then facing (hopefully unspoken) judgements about whether it's a good idea in general.


I do not expect to make a difference in the culture, I want a chance to maybe do so for some individuals. Several teachers made a profound difference in my life. If I can do a little of that for even a few people then I will have something to treasure.

This is what makes the job for me. I find that what really does it in my teaching contexts are the fact that I genuinely respect my adult students for the professionals that they are (or will soon be, in my current university position) and see my role as to support their success. Giving both the language and the cultural keys they need to present themselves as the professionals that they are in English-speaking international contexts (by no means implying that their skills in Russian contexts are anything other than stellar, as they are!) has worked well.

Yeah, I've been invited back to Moscow

[housecattn]

Thanks again!

I was concerned that there might be confusion and/or negativity associated with the Sunday School thing. Especially since my denominational background is (Southern) Baptist which seems to have some rather difficult baggage in terms of people expecting closed minded, dogmatic, right wing attitudes to many people even here. I would like to think these do not apply to me 8^) and certainly would not wish create such a suspicion.

It is also one reason I am a bit leery of working as a volunteer with some missions related group. I think they do great work but I am hoping to be there for an extended period.

[spiral78]

It's not useful info, but I grew up in a staunch Southern Baptist family. I totally understand what this is about

I was personally overdosed as a child and teenager and have developed significant allergies to the religion ... but... your sensitivity to the possible concerns of posters on Dave's augurs well for your sensitivity when it comes to relating to adult students whose religious beliefs are mostly going to be very different, and probably far more privately-held, or even non-existent... people in this part of the world are often quite suspicious of those who are perceived as pushing any kind of religion at all...in my experience

[housecattn]

Thank you for that. I try. I think religion is a very personal thing and I never have found any justification for trying to force any part of what I believe on someone else. I can certainly understand theological allergies 8^)

You have been very helpful and I look forward to further exchanges.