Viewing topic: Help me, I'm broke!

Yep, the latest in a long line of bobs12's blistering bitches.

If I get one more teacher coming to me asking, nay, begging me, to find him work because he's broke and living off cockraches and vermin (read that how you will), only to turn down what work I seek out for him (at my own considerable effing time and expense) because, "300/350/450 (underline as appropriate) roubles an hour just isn't enough, I'm looking for 500" or, "it's too far to travel" or, "I want to keep my mornings/afternoons/evenings/weekdays/weekends free" then I will personally garrotte the swine and hang him from the gallows on Dvortsovaya Ploschad' on the third Sabbath of the month, or whatever day I happen to catch the bugger, whichever comes sooner.

But not before kicking seventeen kinds of crap out of him as compensation for wasting my time. I work for my living, not yours.

What the hell is wrong with people? What are they after? Handouts? From the English fairy? Have I created this monster?!

People, teachers, or both - if you're hard up, you've got to start earning somewhere. If you only have two minutes' classroom experience, you don't know your subjunctive from your epiglottis and you can barely utter a word in a foreign language yourself, then you need to get your heads out of your arses and do some bloody WORK! Whatever will come your way.

I apologise to anyone if, by proxy of this site, I have made it seem that Russia is a goldmine for workshy, unemployable louts that think they can have an easy life as an English teacher (read it one way and it definitely is - read it the other way and it mostly isn't).

If you have no experience and no credentials, then you can't expect to get paid more than I do the minute you potter off the plane at Pulkovo (or shamble off at Sheremetevo, or dawdle off at Domodedovo, or whatever). You have to start from the effing bottom, you numpties. Isn't that bleeding obvious?

How quickly you double your pay depends on how hard you work and how quickly you learn the trade. Start off with shitty jobs that you can afford to lose, aim to be earning decent money once you've proven yourselves.

And if you're 'broke' - then don't f*cking well turn down any work unless it puts you at risk of becoming an organ donor or contracting a lethal STD. You're broke for the reason that you ain't earning money. If you're broke and turning down work, then you're not earning money because you're plain lazy, or stupid, or both, or all three with a bit more of the first.

If you're broke, what part of your pea-sized brain tells you that it's not worth getting off your fat lazy ass for less than a middle manager's salary? The part that thinks you can save money by conserving energy?? Trust me, you won't make it through the winter unless you get out and collect nuts. Look at me, I don't even have to go out to collect nuts anymore - they come to me through VisaRus

Those of you who refuse to work for less than an expat salary - contact Tim, he'll help you out

Well, well, well...

Another bad hair day, it seems, for dear ole uncle bobs12....

There, there, there, dearie... We care!... We really DO!!

I have to say that, having first read the title, I was somewhat concerned... Bobs12 has hit upon hard times?.... Surely not!

Now I know the true target of his most recent tirade, I am (almost) extremely relieved....

I hope you feel better now....

I couldn't agree more with Bob, though not because I have been subject to the kind of pressures he describes.
For me the type of person depicted is an insult to the profession and a slur on those of us who are a) capable b) well-intentioned and/or c) prepared to get off our arses and do some work. (I’m not saying which I consider myself to be, mind.)
I am heartily sick of the attitude, not confined to tefl in Russia, that the world owes the party of the first part a living. That anyone thinks this job such a gravy train, and one that requires no qualification or experience beyond being born in an English-speaking country (and not even that much in some cases), is both astonishing and exasperating. That getting out of bed in the mornings should not be considered rather a requirement, apart from being common sense, is beyond me.
Although, next to some of those who would be taken for teachers, the real teachers can only shine, the reputational damage to us as a whole is too high a price.
Please, people, learn to teach first, then go out and actually give your best shot at doing the job. Help us all to maintain some sort of standard here so we can justify the wages that are possible, at least in time. I wouldn’t come and set myself up in your field and then moan that I am not given the work or wages I *think* I am worth while refusing to do the work as required.

Well ....and there be jobs beggin' for teachers right now, too!

PS Bobs. "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

I agree with what Cairo says..

But there IS an upside to someone who just speaks English making an absolute b*lls-up when it actually comes to trying to teach it.

When the students eventually (or quickly) suss it out - they then look round for another option. If you are a freelancer and turn out to be the next in line, then after the 'bad experience' they tend to stick with you like glue thereafter... and they usually tell all their friends about you as well

Freelancers now shouldn't really have to be looking that hard for students - the students will most probably find you, as long as you have been popping out your business cards regularly.

Continuity is also important - I've heard tell of some schools still just getting 'teachers' in on a a business visa - 3-months here - then go basis. I surmise that students won't like this constant changing of teacher.... and will also be looking elsewhere...