Ok, so today I began doing what I should have done to begin with (or maybe not). I searched through various TEFL blogs and forums looking for helpful hints on living overseas and teaching. Most of the advice given had one theme - stay away from Russia.
1. The "McLanguage" schools are bad.
2. The national schools are bad.
3. The government is bad and changes VISA requirements and laws from month to month.
4. No one follows through with payment, benefits or any other service.
5. I can be kicked out at anytime with little notice or funds.
Naturally, I became worried, then panicked. I mean, I will be spending 10 months there away from all of my family and friends. While I am not expecting to make it rich or even to gain a healthy income, I would like the promised, regular pay. The promised company support in handling both teaching and the government is a vital reason why I went with this company. After spending the next couple of hours rifling through blogs, forums, reviews and more I quickly became unsure as to whether or not this would be the right opportunity. A very helpful site that is seemingly a "must" for TEFL/TESL teachers is Dave's ESL Cafe (http://www.eslcafe.com/).
I supplemented the material I found through the above sites with information from the company's website and with the facebook group. I may be naive, but I will admit that the facebook group has done much to alleviate my concerns. It makes a big difference to actually see the faces and names of people who will be in the same boat I may or may not be in.
As a result of everything, I have come to the conclusion that, while I do not know what will happen, I need to take this chance. It may be a leap of faith to accept this position, but most worthwhile things in life are gigantic leaps across giant chasms of riskiness. I will go to Russia with a positive attitude and will take the bad along with the good. Some things may be out of my control, but to go or not to go is my choice.
Have you been to Russia? Have you taught overseas? I would be interested in your comments.
---Your hopefully, soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
I think you're right to take the plunge. My only advice would be to try your best to have enough cash in savings for an emergency, last-minute flight out of Moscow just in case.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I didn't meet any teachers from Language Link when I was in Moscow, so I can't say anything about that company. But of the three big schools, the one I worked for certainly seems to have the worst reputation.
Good luck! I can't wait to read about your adventure. I miss Moscow - a lot.
PS: I dedicated my latest blog post to you! I sincerely hope you prosper in Moscow! Kudos to you for taking the plunge against the odds. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://thingsevewoulddo.blogspot.com/2010/04/american-girl-meets-moscow.html
Yes, do it (former BKC teacher here, still in Moscow, now in my 3rd year- found your blog via Eve). Our office is near the Language Link office, and I took a few Russian classes there. Outward appearances, at least, say it's world's better than BKC. Moscow and the Russian soul will latch on to yours, and you won't regret coming here, I don't think.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I appreciate all the encouragement. I've really enjoyed my Russian studies so far and have wanted to visit Russia for a while. I can't wait to go.
ReplyDeleteall the McLanguage schools have bascially the same problems -- medical care is iffy, you can be fired at a moments notice, you are terribly overworked with awful hours for a crappy salary, and the visa support is tenuous at best.
ReplyDeleteThe "internship" program is a joke, by the way, you'll get very little practical useful instruction and no kind of certification that will help you.
It's one of the most grievous of the ways schools have found to screw people who want to live abroad.
In general, this is NOT a good time to go to Russia, with all the visa problems.
I recommend you get a real qualification (CELTA) and don't work on the piddly "intern" salary in any event.
Can't say too much for Russia. But before I departed for Ukraine, everybody was telling me horror stories galore. Rar, rar, rar you're going to get fucked up by cops and skinheads, etc. I was bricking it on the way there, but now I'm hear, it's pretty laughable how tame it seems to be.
ReplyDeletePeople love telling horror stories to others, I think they get thrills from it. I guess you pretty much only hear from the ones who have fucked up because they're back at home keyboard warrior-ing, and all those who've had partytime wherever they are, have too much on their hands to tell the good tales.
Though about visa, that's what stopped me going to Russia. I really could not be fucked with all that paperwork and stuff, and am researching marrying my way into a residence permit somehow for next year. If you have an oppurtunity/the patience to get it sorted, then why not give it a shot?
The pay/job might be absolute wank, but if you can handle yourself, I'm pretty sure there'll be goodtimes nonetheless.
If you're still in 2 minds, hop over to the Ukraine. I pretty much just rocked upto the place with around $50, replied to some local ads, and have managed to find work so easily. Even had a choice of where to work. Not too sure what's going to happen with the visa yet, but that problem will sort itself out over time probably.
Hope I'm of some help. I'm hardly a veteran in this scene, only rocked around in Poland for a year with some shabby jobs, so take my words with a pinch of salt.
Good luck, and keep us updated!
Go for it! and good luck! I started teaching in Poland about six months ago and I love it.
ReplyDeleteWork is quite easy to find and I get paid double what most 25y/o earn here. To be honest, my wage would be ok back in the u.k. so I'm happy.
I work for myself only taking contracts with other language schools when they pay well. I work hard but the experience is amazing. Your life will feel like it is moving at the speed of light but you'll have no regrets and be a much stronger person afterwards.
Ignore X, he's just jealous :)