Job Discussion Forums

[BobRob]

Hello to all. Down to business. I am seeking advice from experienced English professionals in Russia. I received my CELTA certification in February and I am midway through a 2 month contract teaching for a private company outside of Moscow.

I don't consider money to be my top priority in life, but I want to be sure I'm not missing out on more lucrative options just because I'm not aware of them. Currently, I'm making about double what the schools offer in Moscow, but I'm working full-time. What is a typical salary range for private in company English teachers? This company is going to ask me to return, but the amount I agreed to for 2 months, fresh out of school, is inadequate for an experienced teacher with a bigger commitment, I would think.

I know that if I return to Moscow for a part time in school job the pay would be much less, but my fellow students and my Russian students all told me that they would be able to refer me a lot of private students. The hourly rate being around 900 Rubles/$30. Theoretically with this option I would in time make more than my 60 hour a week job now.

I really do like the town I'm in now and my students, but I don't want to make less money than I could make just because I'm unaware of the options. I guess my main question is how much should I ask for now that I can commit to more time and I know the company appreciates my contribution? It's an american owned company so English is very important to them.

Thanks for your advice or information. This information is all to be considered for my return later this summer.

[spiral78]

Honestly, it sounds like you've got something much better going than working for a private langauge school. Working directly for a corporation is pretty desirable - no commutation from business to business, no school in control of what you get (or don't) in terms of work and wage - far more stable overall.

Also, keep in mind that private students are NOT necessarily reliable!!
They get sick, take holidays, lose interest, etc....they're great, don't get me wrong, but so far as steady income, a regular gig is pretty important.

In many places, teachers move UP from working for schools to working directly for a corporation.

I'd count my blessings, I think!
And negotiate with the company. If they like you, they'll likely want to keep you.

[maruss]

Relying entirely on private students to earn your living is very risky!People can skip lessons for all kind of reasons,sometimes genuine and sometimes not,but your rent and bills still have to be paid on time....there is also the problem when the 'dacha' season starts from May until September and many people are out of town whenever they have the chance.Lessons traditionally dry-up at this time and many freelancers end up living on what they have made previously.Another hassle-and expense-is to find affordable accomodation in Moscow which is of an at least acceptable standard and in a practical location for where you need to work-have you looked into this?
I don't know which town you are in now-some are nice and some are dreary-but from what you wrote,you seem to have a good number.This is why both the previous poster and myself are warning you,with all good intentions,not to 'burn your bridges' until you are certain you have found a better alternative.Good teaching jobs that pay well are few and far between in Russia(and elsewhere nowadays!)
Cheers for now and all the best,
Martin.

[BobRob]

I'm definitely enjoying my position, but my big concern is am I making as much as I could, not knowing the field, i.e. what to compare it to. I vaguely recall reading of in house corporate teachers making $4,000 a month. If I could make that I'd be enjoying it all that much more.

If I were to return to Moscow it would be under contract at a school, only supplementing with private clients. I know it wouldn't be 40 hours at the school + 40 hours private, but it could build.

What do you think the monthly salary range should be for a teacher in my position? I know they like me, but I feel like I could get more out of them. I basically work 8-6, 5 days a week (somedays 8-8 ) with paid accomodation and I'll ask for visa and travel for my next contract. Would $3,000 a month be too much or maybe I should ask for more. I'm sure there will be a little negotiating, but I don't want to under value myself, especially since it will be a full year with some experience and not two months fresh out of school.

I also don't want to seem unreasonable thereby burning any bridges. I just want to get the best deal I can. Thanks for your feedback

[spiral78]

Well, I don't think your few months of experience would make your salary much higher (if at all) than that of a raw newbie at a Moscow school. It's probably not enough to bump you into a higher salary category.

Basically, I think you're just past your trial period, not well-established or experienced (not to be discouraging, but the teachers at our school are considered newbies with less than two years of experience).

If you're getting accomodation paid (and visas etc) then 3,000 USD on top of that would be VERY generous, I think. I work in Western Europe and our newbs (CELTA + 2 years or less) make $2,000 EU/monthly - without paid accomodation.

Really, it sounds like you've got quite a sweet deal, and I wouldn't try to milk it too hard - I think the reality of language school work in Moscow would be a big letdown in some ways - not just in terms of pay. Keep in mind that you have zero travel time from business to business - private school teachers aren't paid for this time, so this makes up for quite a bit of the extra teaching hours you are doing.


in house corporate teachers making $4,000 a month I did short-term (4 month) intensive courses in-company in Moscow and made more than this. But I've got 14 years of experience, MA TESL/TEFL, and was a specialist in the field my students worked in.

[BobRob]

I appreciate it Spiral. That is and isn't what I wanted to hear I know I've got some dues to pay, but it doesn't hurt to make a counter offer, a reasonable one anyway. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Now if I could only learn Russian so these weekends weren't so boring.

[spiral78]

Yeah - I really don't mean to sound discouraging. But it does sound as though you might be risking a really very good opportunity.

Hopefully some of the Moscow private school experts will be along soon to give you some more relevant comparisons.

And, yeah, it's a good idea to try to work on learning Russian - very worthwhile in terms of being there mid to long term, and later as well, seriously.

[wiganer]

[smithrn1983]

If I understand the OP correctly, you're getting paid accommodation, plus about $2000 a month on top of that. If you were to return to Moscow, with a CELTA and two months' of experience, you'd basically be applying for a newbie position with a McSchool. You could expect shared accommodation pretty far from the center, and about $1000 a month on top of that. Plus, you're likely to be doing some traveling around Moscow, and not all the schools compensate you for this time, which can be substantial.

If I were in your position, I'd stay with the same company for another year, then look for greener pastures if it was necessary. With a year of experience and a good local reference, a lot more doors will be open to you.

[BobRob]

I do understand the downside to Moscow teaching schools. They say 25-30 hours a week, but with lesson prep time, it's easily a full time job. Then when you figure in travel time it's basically the same hours I'm working now.

I accept that two months isn't long enough to claim much experience, so all I can say is I have my CELTA. I didn't attend University, though I'm considering it for the future. The one other thing I bring to the table, aside from my certificate, is my personality. I feel natural with students from the start and I build rapport with all of them. Even shy people become chatty around me. This in and of itself is not a reason to hire a teacher, but I think it's a good reason to keep a teacher.

Thank you everyone for the input. It's easy for me to agree with your common sense. I know I have a good thing now and I don't want to mess it up. Now I feel prepared to sit down and discuss my future with the company.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

You're doing rather well with what you're offering in terms of qualifications and experience.
Best of luck.

[akaizer]

Your situation sounds pretty ideal to me!?

So to be honest I gotta ask where you found this position!?

Also where did you get your CELTA? In Russia?

Perhaps another question for everyone else-->

Is three years teaching in Korea, plus a TEFL cert (Oxford seminars, hehe I know, what a joke, but hey they pay you atleast $200 more a month for having it in Korea ) and a Bachelors degree.

Comparable to:

A CELTA certification ..... in Russia??