Viewing topic: Hoping to Teach in Moscow or Perm.

Privet everyone!

My name is Michael. I am 31, and have a BS in biological sciences. I became fascinated with Russia a few years ago after meeting some fellow students that were from there. It occured to me how little I knew about this nation, as I'm of the age of Americans that were the last to grow up with any real memory of the Cold War.

I have a good friend in Perm, and I'd like to teach there if possible. I know of a school called Brittania there, but no others. It is a fairly good sized city, certainly there are others.

If not Perm, then Moscow, as again I have friends there.

I don't have a teaching certificate. I can't afford the ones that cost in the thousands. I'm thinking about the online ones, but wonder which ones are actually worth a damn to a potential employer?

Nice to meet y'all. I look forward to learning from everyone here.

Michael

Hi!

I was going to post a link to the Perm school directory... but it only has the school you already mentioned. Hmmm... another chance to sell a copy of my book in return for doing some research on schools? (hint, hint )

Don't personally know ought about Perm, but I'm sure it'll be fun. Make sure you're up to speed about the new visa laws first (see massively long speculative forum thread, and ridiculously short hard-facts forum thread).

Good to have you aboard!

Bobs

I'm not doing the English teaching gig this time, but I have friends who are.

Demand is high and pay is fairly high also. The no-qualifications problem should't be too hard to overcome, however the boss will use it as a lever to lower your salery. Maybe you did some teaching while you were in the US (hint-hint).

Be awart that if they arrange accomadation, you'll get ripped off. The school doesn't want you to live cheap, so they can keep you working.

My 2 cents is:

a) get your own visa. You should be able to find a job within 3 months w/o any real problems. Plus, you won't be tied to a school.

b) stay with your friends when you arrive and then find a roommate. It took me 2 days to find a place when I arrived and I turned down the first offer. If you're a reasonable person and make an effort, you'll find a place in no time. Should cost around $400-800 for a room in a 2 bedroom place. DO NOT use the real estate agents. They'll cheat you as soon as they get the chance. Use the ex-pat websites and www.flatmates.ru.

c) drop your resume off at all the schools posting on expat.ru.

d) then start going by all the other schools. You'll find something -- no problem. You might also try applying to other positions besides teaching if you've got a degree and prefer sitting in an office. English teaching involves a lot of running around and hassle. Sitting in an office is considerably easier.

Good luck

The only problem is that the advice of 'get your own visa' is not a quite as simple as it used to be.... I am not going to rewrite all the blurb from elsewhere on this site about how 'useful' a business visa is in Russia right now but, if you do go down that route, then either make sure that you have a return ticket to home booked for 3 months time, or be prepared to 'camp out' in another country for 3 months until you are allowed back into Russia...

There is, of course, also no guarantee that you will be able to find a school who will be willing to do a teaching visa for you within 3 months - nor that they would be able to process it within the time available... Russian classes, anyone???

Your other option is to investigate the now fast-mushrooming string of agencies who claim to be able to offer working visas and permits...at your own risk, of course...

For Brits (of which you are not one), MizzouMike76, there is also the problem of the recent, fast-escalating spat between the British Council and the Russian govt... For Brits everywhere in Russia, I have to confess that I fear this is not a good thing....

All,

Thanks for the advice!

I have only one offer so far, and not really an offer just yet. It is a school about 60km outside of Moscow, room and board included but the pay is rather low.

So, I am looking for something with better pay and no living arrangements included. I have a roommate already lined up in Moscow, a very nice (and very lovely) friend of mine, so I am considering myself fortunate to have someone "on the inside".

I have sent out my CV to several schools, but it has been weeks and no response.

Should I be worried? Or is it just the wrong time of year to be job hunting? I thought my 7 years with the same employer and just over 30 age bracket would help me stand out a bit; not to mention my limited teaching experience.

As for the Brits and Russians not getting on, I'm a Yank, so hell I got that going for me. Or not.

Thanks again, everyone!

Michael

Don't worry- Russians aren't prejudiced. They hate everyone equally

Mike, I'm guessing you haven't bought the TEFL Guide to Russia yet It tells you not to send anything until you've spoken to the right person on the phone.

It also has a nostalgic (read 'outdated' section on visas) - so when you rush out to buy it - consider that the visa section is there for sentimental reasons (memories of better days )

Yes,

Part of being a man is knowing when to admit you need help, and I need help.

I just bought your guide and am printing it out now.

I look forward to a good read this weekend

Michael

That's a lot of printing Heh heh, the idea of making it an e-book was partly to save those poor trees, but what the hell. Trees have never done anything good for me occasionally they try to drop branches on my head. I don't like it when they do that.

The most important part for you at this stage is about job seeking and interviews. On reading it, you'll understand why it's only available as pay-to-download, and not just up on the site for all and sundry to read And trust me, it works perfectly