Viewing topic: An intro and some questions

Hi there! I'm a newbie here and wanted to introduce myself: I'm Lena I recently made the decision that I would like to teach ESL in Russia, so I'm currently in the research phase. I have loads questions! I'm very wet behind the ears when it comes to this, but in the interest of not overwhelming you kind people with all my concerns/questions, I'll just throw out a couple for now:

1. When a school says they pay $1300 per month, is this how much a teacher actually takes home? Or is this before taxes?
2. Has anyone here had any experience teaching at BKC, or have known someone who has taught there?

Based on what I've read, contracts at schools such as BKC are good for those of us who are new to this field, and new to Moscow. Is this correct?

Also, if anyone has any words of wisdom, helpful advice, I would love to hear it! I browsed through the ESL Cafe...that was discouraging to say the least...

Hey! I actually beat bobs12 to it this time!!

So welcome (on behalf of bobs12 - and all of us) to VisaRus!!

Your consideration is gratefully received and many questions that you may have are probably already dealt with on the site somewhere...

To quickly answer your two questions, though.

1) The rate of salary advertised is generally what you will receive in your hand from a school. They may also give you all sorts of waffle about having paid tax on your behalf but treat it with a pinch of salt... This is Russia, after all!!

However, I would point out here that $1300 per month is not a lot of money in Moscow - to rent a flat there is now pretty (read 'very') expensive and you won't be able to live the life of Reilly on what you have left... If you want a reasonable flat less than a million miles from the centre, then you may not have anything left at all. Assuming you might have a specific school in mind, do they also offer accommodation as part of the package?

2) I have no personal experience of working at BKC. However, when I approached them for teaching work some years ago, I have to say that I found that they didn't offer the best rates compared to what else was available. The situation might be different now, though...

I hope that all the above is not too discouraging for you....

Now just where IS our Vebmester?...

Here I am, here I am! I spent my four-day weekend recovering from a corporate outing, and haven't been awake enough to do owt useful.

I'm actually very glad to be beaten to the post, sso to speak Creates the illusion of activity on the site other than between me and the mad laughing dog!

Okay, hi Lena! yes, as Steve said, the stated wage is usually what you receive in your pocket every month. If taxes were taken from $1300 you'd be scraping along fairly miserably. 1300 in your pocket is not bad if you were in St. Petersburg, but could be better.

If you're really seriously looking at Moscow, then I think you'd find it very hard to live on 1300 unless accommodation is included. I'd say the minimum you can comfortably get by on in Moscow is about 2000 USD.

I have no personal experience of BKC either but haven't heard anything bad about them. In SPb I believe that they have transformed into 'Lexica'.

Thank you for the replies! They weren't discouraging in the least It's helpful to be told about the realities of teaching/living in Moscow, but to be told "Don't bother!" or "It's pure hell and you'll live in borderline poverty!" is just really not helpful! (These are the sorts of things being said in ESL cafe)
I definitely don't expect to live lavishly...as long as I have a clean, safe place to lay my head at night, food in my belly, and able to save some money each month, I'll be good. I'm currently looking at BKC in Moscow. On their website it reads that teachers' salaries start at $1300 per month, and they also provide a flat and cover the cost of utilities. If this is the case, I would think that $1300 per month would afford me to live fairly decently...but I've never been to Moscow before, so I'm not sure what the reality of it all is.
I'm terrified at the idea of arriving there, only to learn that the flat is in the ghetto, my roommate is a sociopath, and they won't pay me as they promised.......this TERRIFIES me!
I've also thought about teaching in St. Petersburg because I've heard that the cost of living there is much cheaper than Moscow, but I haven't been able to find websites of any English schools there. Do you guys know of some?
Again, thank you for replying. I really appreciate it

Ooh, you know what? I just found the link here that provides websites to schools in St. Petersburg So now my question is: Anyone know of which schools there are reputable? Have any stories/experiences to share?

There's a whole directory here, complete with reviews of some schools At the last count there were about 350 english schools altogether in the directory

VisaRus is more SPb-oriented. Partly because I hate Moscow with a vengeance, mostly because I live in Petersburg and I'm quite loyal to it

Moscow certainly isn't for everyone. The chances of a school-provided apartment being a grimy pit in ay city is, well, luck of the draw probably. They'll be looking to economise.

Chances of a nutty flatmate - high

Chances of being cheated on wages - not that high, really.

$1300 with provided accommodation - that's not too bad at all, even for Moscow. You'll be able to have some fun and save a little (if you don't have too much fun, of course Just be sure to check the contract conditions thoroughly before you agree to come over.

Thank you, Bob This website certainly is very helpful, and it's nice to be able to read the reviews.
May I ask, why do you loathe Moscow? And what is it about Petersburg that you like?

I'm glad you're glad the site is here

Moscow - big, dirty, smelly, overcrowded, claustrophobia-inducing (I'm used to wide open spaces, though).

Saint Petersburg - as above, but less so. I can't say I'm a huuuuge fan of Saint Petersburg, but for me it's about the most bearable place in Russia where there are decent opportunities.

Muscovites and Petersburgers are very different people - pace of life, stress, etc. has quite an effect on the cities' inhabitants. Must admit though, SPb is slowly slithering down the slippery slope towards Moscow...

Incidentally - regarding ESL cafe...

Most of the members there represent Moscow.. so you get the picture We're a bit more chilled out and a lot less anal (and less territorial) up here in sunny Petersburg

Hmmm, perhaps then I should seriously consider an ESL job in Petersburg? I'd hate to surround myself with bitter, territorial people!
Also, I've noticed several people advise that one should get one's own visa....rather than let the school do it. Why is that? And if I were to sign a contract with BKC, would I still be able to get my own visa?

Our Vebmeister is back with a vengeance!

Without wanting to turn this into a debate over which city is better, I have to say that I am in SPB and, presumably, therefore, must prefer it. When I came over (yeaaaaaaaahs ago!) I looked at both cities and, in my opinion, SPB won, hands down... A beautiful city with a greater feeling of space than Moscow plus the outside world is a bit more accessible, especially the Finnish Gulf

The downside is that it gets a bit chilly in winter and the summer is 'rather short'.. White Nights are nice, though.... but are not exclusive to SPB.

On the visa question, I have my own work visa but it was easy (easier) for me to organise it being here. I vastly prefer not being at the beck-and call of anyone and, if you get your act together, the earnings can be vastly greater. I wouldn't fancy having to budget and count kopeks at all!!

But doing your own work visa isn't cheap and is, as mentioned, quite difficult. See another thread for advice already given to another about how to set about getting a business visa (3 continuous months maximum in Russia) and then withdrawing temporarily after having set the ball running on a work visa...

If you just want to come to Russia and have a simple life with regular, but lesser earnings and (potentially) no hassle with finding accommodation, then come and work for a school. Some are offering a working visa in exchange for teaching just 8 hours a week for them, I believe - and what you do the rest of the time is up to you...

However, f you choose that route - then just don't come here with little money in reserve - you'll probably end up having to bale out when the first problem arises..

The Mad Dog (of the "Mad Dog and Scotsman" fame

My personal opinion is that Moscow is more suckier. I am happy that I ended up in St Petes. And if you are looking for some work click on the BIS school link in the menu to the right.

Yes - the further afield you hail from, the more benefits there are to letting a school handle your visa. For some people, working on a contract is more suitable - more security, less hassle, let the school take the risks for you. Having your own visa is now definitely more an option for people who are settled in the country and who don't want to be balled-and-chained, as you say.

Now, at the moment, not all schools know what they're doing with visas, so check carefully. Don't listen to any school that says it will get you a business visa and 'everything will be okay' - you'll end up with a nervous breakdown