Job Discussion Forums

[Russia Hopeful]

I've been reading these forums for a bit, but this is my first time posting. I currently have an offer from Language Link in Volgograd. I've read all the posts I can find about Language Link on here, so I know there are a lot of potential negatives. I have a second interview for a private school that pays more coming up soon which I'm hoping will lead to an offer, but I have a TEFL certificate and no teaching experience so even though they seem to like me, I'm not counting on that. If I do get an offer from the other school than this will be irrelevant, but I wanted to see if anyone works at or knows anything about Language Link in Volgograd. The only thing I can find on these boards about the Volgograd location is from 2010, but they are positive comments. I know with no experience I may have to go through a McSchool first, so I'm just hoping for one that treats its teachers decently. If anyone knows anything current about the Volgograd location, can you please PM me or respond on here?

Thank you!

[Brunouno]

I lived in Volgograd for 4 months last year, but I wasn't working for Language Link during my time there. I like Volgograd; it has a relaxed and calm atmosphere to it, but I'm the type of guy who likes to live in a quieter place. Everyone has their personal tastes. Most students will be 10 times better in terms of attitude and work ethic than in Moscow if you decide to work there. The same can almost be said about the general public. I remember students telling me that there's Moscow and then there's Russia, and it's so true. I worked for Language Link in Moscow before moving to Volgograd, and yes, it can be a pretty nasty place. The one really good thing about them though is that you have a lot of autonomy as a teacher, and they don't try to micromanage in regards to what you do in the classroom.

[Russia Hopeful]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'd prefer living in a smaller city. The other job I'm interviewing for isn't in Moscow either. Can you tell me anything about the cost of living in Volgograd? I've tried looking online but there isn't really much information. I think I'd be able to get by on the salary, but it would be nice to have some idea of what to expect in terms of costs.

[Brunouno]

The cost of living is pretty much the same as Moscow except for flats, but you won't have to worry about that if it's Language Link. I did notice that restaurants were cheaper, but it's marginal. I'm guessing the salary they offered you is around the 33,000 rubles mark. The average salary there is about 500 bucks, so living off your salary won't be a problem. I was actually going to work in Volgograd for Language Link, but when they said I would be sharing my flat with another teacher, I turned it down. Jobs outside of Moscow and Saint Petersburg usually offer single accommodation, but if you don't have any experience, I guess you can't be too picky and turn down many offers.

[Russia Hopeful]

I've lived with roommates for the past ten years, so I think one more will be alright. I'm not in a position to be too picky right now, but I have until Wednesday to let them know and I will hopefully hear about the other job before then, so I won't be turning them down unless I've got another offer lined up.

[Sashadroogie]

Might be worth pointing out that sharing a flat in a TEFL context can be different to previous house shares. Namely, you'll be sharing with somebody you also work with, so that's a lot more contact. Also, teaching split shifts means odd working hours for all flatmates. But most importantly, teachers can be decidedly odd creatures, lacking many features of civilized life. Most notably, consideration for their flatmates.

On the other hand, everything could be wonderful. But it is as well to be aware...

Best of luck!

[maruss]

...unless it was with someone I knew that I could get along with first and had known them for a while?So many things can go wrong,from trifles to mega-issues and then the question arises about who is going to move out??
There is also the delicate matter of when one of you wants to invite someone round etc...
But ask many average Russians in Moscow and elsewhere who don't have their own appartments and they will wonder why you are complaining!

[LAR1SSA]

[maruss]

the advertising blurb for BKC always alleged that their teachers earn 'middle class salaries' whatever that is supposed to mean?Of course if you believe it you find out on arrival....and then look for ways to earn more...

[LAR1SSA]

[maruss]

I suppose it all comes down to what you go there for in the first place?If it's just for the experience of being able to live and work in Russia for a while,then teaching is one of the few ways of being able to do it.......
the only other alternative is if you have the qualifications and experience to get a lucrative ex-pat posting with an international firm on a fairy short contract when you will usually be paid extra for what is considered a 'hardship posting!.'(and quite rightly too!)
Firms which employ native ESL teachers know that most foreigners are not likely to want to stay there very long after they have sampled the novelty of the place and usually estimate that you will probably just about get through your initial contract-some are actually happy if you quit just before so they can afford paying bonuses and re-imbursing your air fare and other such incentives which they use to lure you in the first place!
If you are one of those who bucks the trend though and manage to learn the tricks and end up staying for a year or two- or even more, then you may well end up making decent money and leave with something in your pocket to show for your perseverance!

[Russia Hopeful]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I ended up being offered the job at the private school, so I won't be going to Volgograd after all. It's still shared accommodation but it also comes with a higher salary.

[teacher X]

[maruss]

Outside Moscow the average salary may well be around 30.000 roubles per month and you can find people in many places who earn less.....but the cost of living,especially food is high everywhere and increasing,particularly if you want to eat things of good quality and not unhealthy junk from tins etc!
Moscow is a completely different ball game and there are plenty of people there earning 100.000 roubles and even more,depending on their job and whether they are paid all of their salary officially or partly 'black' which is common?But if you want to rent even a basic studio appartment for yourself then you have to reckon on a minimum of 30.000 per month plus expenses and even more if you want somewhere more central or near to transport and facilities etc.Finding one is another headache and this has been well explained on this forum before....
Unless you are in a senior job most firms in Moscow will not provide teachers with individual appartments-if you insist that you are not prepared to share,like me then they will probably offer you around 20.000 allowance at most which is not enough to find anything without you having to subsidise it from your meagre salary....Back in 2005/6 I was earning around 70.000 roubles per month out of which I was lucky enough to pay around 20.000 for a good quality flat which I was very lucky to get via the boss of a close friend but few people are so lucky....

[teacher X]