Viewing topic: Know any schools that pay well?

I'm thinking of going to teach in Moscow for the academic year 2007/8.

From what I've read on this site, Dave's, etc., the way to go is to get the 1 year business visa and work part-time for several schools, rather than get a full-time contract with BKC/LLink/EF. This is what I do now in Warsaw, though I don't need a visa, of course.

Can anyone steer me in the right direction as to schools it'd be worth my while approaching, or, even better, warn me about ones I should avoid? I'm visiting Moscow over our Christmas holiday and the plan is to pay them a visit.

Thanks,

Jonathan.

I don't have a lot of input here...as I honestly don't do Moscow unless I have to.

BUT...the ones you list get some ratings. BKC-IH seems OK. I know there is a Denis' School there, but not sure how it's run. EF I generally avoid, but a lot of people like them.

You might just check them all out...make a few higher demands and always try to negotiate for a little more and you'll find what you want to see. Then there are smaller schools that can't do that...but it depends on what exactly you're looking for.

Thanks for your reply! I've taught at IH schools here in Poland, so I quess the set-up'll be familiar. I've been to the EF here in Warsaw too - the teaching seemed very IT-based, a lot of YL (no experience) and then there's their own books....

I've read someone writing on Dave's that they were turned down by one of the 'big 3' - the feedback seemed to suggest that it was because they'd got a business visa, thus giving them the option to 'walk'. Do you know if anyone's had similar problems?

I'll visit BKC as I know, from my experiences here in Warsaw, that it's important that at least one of the schools you work for has a proper resource library - although BKC has a lot of satellite schools dotted around the city, they must have one somewhere (?).

I'm not sure what they have actually.

However, make sure to talk to BKC-IH about paying for your travel there. I also know that they were offering places to stay with contracts, travel, and some perks.
They need teachers pretty badly at most every school here.

If they turn you down, it's usually for personality or inability...maybe expereince...anything else would actually be pretty ignorant, since most schools seem to be looking for teachers regularly. (More so in SPb, as all people here know that the money goes to Moscow.)

Yes, I went to see BKC and the PT rate seemed OK ($18/45min minimum). FT rates at BKC/LL are $800-830/month net + flat (they want you to share because of the high cost of accommodation) + 3month Metro pass.

The problem now is the likely crackdown on (mis)use of the business visa. See my post in the main forum.

In that case, I would insist that if they pay $18/ac. hr. starting that you get more for experience.

I'll comment on 'crackdowns' later.