Job Discussion Forums

[buntingblue]

Hello folks. I have a TEFL cert. with experience, degree, etc but am committed at the moment to doing a degree via distance learning for the next few years and hence cannot commit to any full-time work labour contract.

So why am I boring you telling you all these things about me?! Because to get a work-permit, etc or a job in Russia as an English teacher, you need to sign a full-time contract ... right?!!

Has anybody got any ideas as to how I could get a work/labour contract but with a reduced amount of hours. For example, a job working maybe 50 to 60% of the equivalent of full-time.

Thanks. Bunting Blue.

[maruss]

But it will cost you!If you buy a three-month business visa you can get into Russia and stay up to 90 days-then you will have to leave and go to another country,apply for a new one and wait there until you get it-remember you need to pay for a visa invitation as well and there are a number of firms in Moscow which sell them.Most people go to Ukraine or the Baltic countries as these are nearest and the waiting time varies from a few days up to a week or two so is obviously best to check before you go there how long they need and also that there aren't any unexpected holidays which will delay you even more!With this type of visa there are plenty of firms in Moscow which will give you hourly work on a freelance basis,even though its technically illegal!In fact because of all the hassle of getting work permits due to changes in the rules,many firms now only employ people who are already there.Be warned that the quality of employers and conditions fluctuate and change but it is not worth working for anything less than $25-preferably more- per academic hour nowadays and remember you will probably have to travel to give lessons in company,and this can take-up a lot of time and is often very stressful due to overcrowding,traffic etc-if you find a company where clients come to your firms office instead you will be very lucky and its worth considering for that alone!
Also be aware that you will paying for your own airfare,visas and accomodation-the latter is another big hassle and will cost you dearly in Moscow.If you have never been there before and have no friends or contacts to help you,how do you intend to go about it?Using an agency that deals with foreigners means paying fees and deposits up-front for what are over-priced flats,while using a local one that deal with Russians needs a good command of the language and ideally not a foreign accent or the price will go up immediately when they hear your voice on the phone!As a general rule,Russia and especially Moscow is overpriced and the market is a free for all with seemingly no control!Landlords often act arbitrarily and can cancel or change contracts at will to suit themselves...many of them rent out places without declaring it for tax purposes and consequently will not agree to register you at the accomodation address,which is a requirement for your visa after you arrive,so get your employer to arrange this,even if you have to pay for it!
Overall,as you can see it is possible to do what you are proposing,provided you are willing to fork-out your own money!But them from what I gather from your posting,you are not going there to make money anyway?If you go to Russia-expect hassle-and spending more thna you anticipated!
Hope this helps and all the best!

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I agree with maruss. It will be difficult to pull off, especially getting a work permit without a full-time contract. Many schools are having a hard enough time getting native-speaking teachers work visas; so, if it is possible, they would want said teacher to work full-time.

Perhaps Ukraine would be a better fit for what you're thinking about.

Good luck

[ancient_dweller]

getting accom is not as difficult as you might think nor as expensive you just need to be flexible. the estate agent will take a fee from you (usually one month rent) and also you need to pay 2 months straight away. so for a 15,000 rouble room, you would pay 45,000 up front.