Job Discussion Forums

chdog30 · Joined: 30 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

Hi! 1st post so go easy Very Happy

I have a couple of questions about teaching.

I'm going to be graduating from university next May and I'd like to take a bit of time out and do something different. So I'm planning on taking a tefl course like CELTA over the summer and then heading over to Moscow in September or so to teach English.

1. I'm from Ireland, we have a course here called the CELT and as far as I can tell, it's almost identical to the CELTA but it's the Irish version (and about 500 euro cheaper afaik). Is this recognised in Russia?

2. Any advice that anybody could give me would be fantastic. I was looking at working for one of the big schools like LL or BKC since I'd have no experience teaching before so they seem like the best options to go with? I've read people slamming them on here though so what's that about? Surely if they've an international rep they'd be quite "safe" to work for?

3. What's Moscow like? Is it essential to have good Russian to work there? By the time I'd be ready to go, I'd have about 2 years of Russian language lessons under my belt so I wouldn't be fluent by any means.

Edit: Sorry I forgot a question - Is September too late to be heading over there? I have no idea when the "season" starts but I'd imagine it would be September-ish? Also, chances are my graduation will be in November, is there any chance of me being able to make it back to Ireland for a couple of days or is that completely out of the picture?

Thanks and sorry for the amount of questions!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:52 am Post subject:

Hi chdog30!

1. Certs are not essential for visa purposes in any case, so your CELT or RELSA is fine.

2. BKC is good for setting yourself up. If you need training, then a McSchool is the place to go.

3. You don't need Russian to do the job, but it helps in day to day life. Most people come here with zero Russian, so you'll probably be fine. Moscow is a great city - but not for the timid!

BTW there is no 'hiring season' as such for adult language courses. Come when you can, there'll be a job somewhere...But visas are a pain. Don't plan to go in and out of the country at will. Probably not going to work out that easily. Come after November.

Best of luck!

S

chdog30 · Joined: 30 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

Thanks for the quick reply, that's cool you really cleared up some things for me there.

So are you saying that I should be ok with starting in a "McSchool" in November or so? I've heard of people going over and "freelancing" but I'd rather have the safety of working with one of the schools that provide accommodation and what not.

And also, I'd be 24 when I'm going but I've been told I look quite young - as in people often mistake me for 17/18. Do you think this would harm my chances?

I also have some friends in/near Moscow which is why I'm looking at going there plus I like Russia Very Happy

Is there anything that I should avoid like the plague?

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

Whether or not you can go back in November will depend on what kind of visa they give you. If you have a multiple entry visa, then you can do it no problem, but you will have to register again when you come back to Moscow. I'm not sure how McSchool's handle visas these days, but most other schools have teachers come over on a three month visa and then 'convert' it to a one year visa. The three month is a single entry visa, and the multiple entries don't kick in until after it expires. So, if you want to come in September, but go back in November for a few days, you really need to press the school to get you a one year multiple entry visa from the start. Or you could do as Sasha suggests, and simply come over in November.

Being, or rather looking, young shouldn't hurt you, but it probably won't help you either. What Russian students really care about is that you can teach. How old you look won't matter so much as long as the students know they're getting a lot of bang for their buck.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:33 pm Post subject:

ZZZZZ. Just woke up. Where am I? Had a celebration last night for the holiday today. Meet some nice people out. Very charming. Can't remember what the occasion is exactly... Russian Unity day, or something. Just warming up for the Great October Revolution celebrations, the real holiday, hic! What happened last night...?

Anyway, yes, you can start which a McSchool any time in the year, but usually not over the summer. They are permanently recruiting ( because people are permanently quitting...: ) In fact, there seems to be a shortage of teachers now, so get emailing BKC et al right now.

Freelancing is usually better done when you first know the ropes. A McSchool will provide you with invaluable lessons in surviving Russia, and dealing with visa paperwork...and in teaching too! I wouldn't go it alone from the beginning. I had plenty of experience teaching abroad before I came to Moscow, and I still found it tough going for a while... would have broken less heroic comrades, hic! Stick with a silly school to start with: then stick it to them when you can.

Smithrn1983 is quite right re age and student acceptance of teachers. So long as you can actually teach them, they won't be too bothered. There are fresh-out-of-uni types galore in the Macs anyway - you'll blend!

To avoid like the plague: the police. You'll be briefed on this when you get here, by the schools and your friends. But long story short, the мусор check passports on the metro system regularly, especially if you are foreign-looking or darker skinned. Usually they are hustling the Central Asian guest-workers, but loud drunk TEFLers who stand out will be stopped too. They are not like the guards back in the village down home. Avoid 'em like the plague. Oh, and don't go drinking with strangers in a bar either. (Especially if it is me! : ) Can turn quite nasty for no reason. No reason apart from the excessive vodka, that is. And avoid the many scams involving attractive women in clubs who just sit down beside you and invite you back for a ritual spiked drink, black-out and robbery. Ah, Moscow! Great place! Hic! The memories! The fragments of memories!

Let us know how you get on.

Best of luck to you!

Sasha

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:06 pm Post subject:

Let's try this again after several sexist and otherwise inappropriate postings have been deleted and a troll permanently banned.

It is not a good idea to make the mistake of confusing this board with others that you may visit that do not have a Mod Team that enforces board rules and policies. Doing so can make one's time here very brief.

Also, gleefully feeding a troll makes you part of the problem rather than the solution. This can and will negatively impact one's tenure here, as well.