To read the full Q&A article that was posted on the International TEFL Academy website with pictures, please click here. Select questions are posted here.
What sparked your interest in going to teach English abroad?
I’ll be honest when I say that before last year, I never imagined that I would be teaching English in a foreign country. In high school and most of university, I was always interested in sports and politics, so most of my career prep went towards those areas. While the subject matter is different, I can say I use some of the skills I learned while working in those areas. Both areas are very writing intensive and require command of the language, as part of being a successful TEFL teacher is to be able to teach writing.
But it wasn’t until I was already teaching English that I became interested in teaching English. It was during a study-abroad program in Saint Petersburg that I decided to volunteer and help teach English at a foreign language center. In the beginning, it was simple a way for me to spend my free time and stave off boredom while possibly making some friends. I succeeded on all counts, but I also developed an interest in English. It helped that my students were enthusiastic at being able to practice English with me.
What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad?
The only one I can think of was how much my life would be affected by the sanctions and situation in Ukraine.
What did your friends and family think about you moving and teaching abroad?
On the whole, they were all pretty excited for me and supportive. My parents’ biggest concern was whether I’d be safe from any anti-American sentiments. So far, I’ve escaped such problems. I also haven’t heard of others experiencing such problems.
Tell us about your English teaching job!
I work a minimum of 50 hours a week. Any additional time I spend is my choice. My pay is dependent on the number of hours I work (there's one bracket for 45-hours and one bracket for 50-hours).
I'm able to save most of what I earn outside of paying my apartment rent. Part of my job involves eating meals with the students so I eat for free. It just depends on what I do during the weekends. In my case, I like to frequent coffee shops, especially Starbucks near the Ploschad Vosstaniya Metro Station.
Gorchakov is a private boarding school for males between ages 10 and 17. I also receive holidays and summers off.
Please explain the cultural aspects, public transportation, nightlife, social activities, food, expat community, dating scene, travel opportunities, etc...
CULTURAL ASPECTS: Despite the sanctions and political situations involving Russia, I’ve really not had much of an adjustment problem. In some ways, when I’m walking through the city streets, especially along Nevsky Prospect, I almost feel like I’m back in America. However, in a working environment, Russians only greet you once each day whereas I feel many Americans greet each other many times a day. Also, if Russians look at you with a very serious face, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you.
MAKING FRIENDS: Friendships are important to Russians. It’s not uncommon for some Russians who have lived in the city all their life to have friendships that started back in elementary school.
PERSONAL SPACE: In the metro, excluding summer, you will be so packed into the metro that you can barely move. People just want to get home as soon as possible, and they’re willing to sacrifice their personal space to get there. Just don’t get uncomfortable if a person’s right next to you and is invading your space.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The easiest way to get around the city is by metro. Currently, it costs 31 rubles to ride the metro. However, I recommend you get an electronic card that you can load. Not only due you avoid lines for tokens, but the more you ride the metro, the cheaper it costs. The next easiest way of getting around is by “marshrutkas,” also known as mini-buses. The price depends on the marshrutka and where you want to go. Most go to at least one metro which means it’s more convenient to ride a marshrutka to the metro if you live 20 minutes away from the metro. Unless you want the exercise, of course…
NIGHTLIFE: I can’t say much on this question because I’m not very big on going out. I do know that the few times I’ve gone out, the nightlife has been busy, even during the winter. It just depends on which weekend you go out. Dumskaya Street next to the Gostiny Dvor metro station tends to be a popular place for foreigners.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: It’s pretty easy to be social in Saint Petersburg. There are a lot of parks and museums that are free or very cheap. You can even just walk around the city and view the different types of architecture from the Winter Palace to Peter-Paul's fortress. I personally prefer going for walks in the park with friends followed by a trip to a cafe to drink coffee or hot chocolate (I always choose coffee). You learn quick that the big coffee cafe chains like Coffee House, Schokoladnitsa and Starbucks are pretty expensive. However, the best value place is Starbucks as you can get a venti size for less than you get at Schokoladnitsa for a tall. I am probably biased though about Starbucks considering I come from Seattle.
FOOD: There’s your popular American chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Subway. There are more Russian brands like Teremok and Chaynaya Lozhka (Teremok is much better). From what I’ve heard from some vegetarians, it’s difficult to be a vegetarian in Russia but there are some vegetarian cafes and vegetarians options at more expensive restaurants. With sanctions though, I have seen prices at many places go up a little.
For people on a budget, buying the inexpensives ‘blins’ (crepes) from Teremok or Chaynaya Lozhka is pretty effective. There’s also Shaverma (doner-kebabs), but the danger with Shaverma is the types of meat that may be used. You should ask your Russian friends for any good Shaverma places they know.
And on a small note, ordering a cup of water at restaurants isn’t free like it is in the US.
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS
What advice would you give someone planning or considering teaching abroad? Would you recommend teaching in your country?
Don't be surprised if students don't want to learn grammar from you. Students tend to prefer having English-speaking Russians explain the grammar because they had to learn it the same way as well. Instead, students prefer native-English speakers more for conversation practice and learning the differences between formal and informal ways of speaking.
Also, most students learn the British form of English, so you might way to familiarize yourself with some of the biggest differences between American English and British English.
As for teaching English in Russia, I would recommend it even though the currency is weak and the visa requirements are tough.
What sparked your interest in going to teach English abroad?
I’ll be honest when I say that before last year, I never imagined that I would be teaching English in a foreign country. In high school and most of university, I was always interested in sports and politics, so most of my career prep went towards those areas. While the subject matter is different, I can say I use some of the skills I learned while working in those areas. Both areas are very writing intensive and require command of the language, as part of being a successful TEFL teacher is to be able to teach writing.
But it wasn’t until I was already teaching English that I became interested in teaching English. It was during a study-abroad program in Saint Petersburg that I decided to volunteer and help teach English at a foreign language center. In the beginning, it was simple a way for me to spend my free time and stave off boredom while possibly making some friends. I succeeded on all counts, but I also developed an interest in English. It helped that my students were enthusiastic at being able to practice English with me.
What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad?
The only one I can think of was how much my life would be affected by the sanctions and situation in Ukraine.
What did your friends and family think about you moving and teaching abroad?
On the whole, they were all pretty excited for me and supportive. My parents’ biggest concern was whether I’d be safe from any anti-American sentiments. So far, I’ve escaped such problems. I also haven’t heard of others experiencing such problems.
Tell us about your English teaching job!
I work a minimum of 50 hours a week. Any additional time I spend is my choice. My pay is dependent on the number of hours I work (there's one bracket for 45-hours and one bracket for 50-hours).
I'm able to save most of what I earn outside of paying my apartment rent. Part of my job involves eating meals with the students so I eat for free. It just depends on what I do during the weekends. In my case, I like to frequent coffee shops, especially Starbucks near the Ploschad Vosstaniya Metro Station.
Gorchakov is a private boarding school for males between ages 10 and 17. I also receive holidays and summers off.
Please explain the cultural aspects, public transportation, nightlife, social activities, food, expat community, dating scene, travel opportunities, etc...
CULTURAL ASPECTS: Despite the sanctions and political situations involving Russia, I’ve really not had much of an adjustment problem. In some ways, when I’m walking through the city streets, especially along Nevsky Prospect, I almost feel like I’m back in America. However, in a working environment, Russians only greet you once each day whereas I feel many Americans greet each other many times a day. Also, if Russians look at you with a very serious face, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you.
MAKING FRIENDS: Friendships are important to Russians. It’s not uncommon for some Russians who have lived in the city all their life to have friendships that started back in elementary school.
PERSONAL SPACE: In the metro, excluding summer, you will be so packed into the metro that you can barely move. People just want to get home as soon as possible, and they’re willing to sacrifice their personal space to get there. Just don’t get uncomfortable if a person’s right next to you and is invading your space.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The easiest way to get around the city is by metro. Currently, it costs 31 rubles to ride the metro. However, I recommend you get an electronic card that you can load. Not only due you avoid lines for tokens, but the more you ride the metro, the cheaper it costs. The next easiest way of getting around is by “marshrutkas,” also known as mini-buses. The price depends on the marshrutka and where you want to go. Most go to at least one metro which means it’s more convenient to ride a marshrutka to the metro if you live 20 minutes away from the metro. Unless you want the exercise, of course…
NIGHTLIFE: I can’t say much on this question because I’m not very big on going out. I do know that the few times I’ve gone out, the nightlife has been busy, even during the winter. It just depends on which weekend you go out. Dumskaya Street next to the Gostiny Dvor metro station tends to be a popular place for foreigners.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: It’s pretty easy to be social in Saint Petersburg. There are a lot of parks and museums that are free or very cheap. You can even just walk around the city and view the different types of architecture from the Winter Palace to Peter-Paul's fortress. I personally prefer going for walks in the park with friends followed by a trip to a cafe to drink coffee or hot chocolate (I always choose coffee). You learn quick that the big coffee cafe chains like Coffee House, Schokoladnitsa and Starbucks are pretty expensive. However, the best value place is Starbucks as you can get a venti size for less than you get at Schokoladnitsa for a tall. I am probably biased though about Starbucks considering I come from Seattle.
FOOD: There’s your popular American chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Subway. There are more Russian brands like Teremok and Chaynaya Lozhka (Teremok is much better). From what I’ve heard from some vegetarians, it’s difficult to be a vegetarian in Russia but there are some vegetarian cafes and vegetarians options at more expensive restaurants. With sanctions though, I have seen prices at many places go up a little.
For people on a budget, buying the inexpensives ‘blins’ (crepes) from Teremok or Chaynaya Lozhka is pretty effective. There’s also Shaverma (doner-kebabs), but the danger with Shaverma is the types of meat that may be used. You should ask your Russian friends for any good Shaverma places they know.
And on a small note, ordering a cup of water at restaurants isn’t free like it is in the US.
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS
What advice would you give someone planning or considering teaching abroad? Would you recommend teaching in your country?
Don't be surprised if students don't want to learn grammar from you. Students tend to prefer having English-speaking Russians explain the grammar because they had to learn it the same way as well. Instead, students prefer native-English speakers more for conversation practice and learning the differences between formal and informal ways of speaking.
Also, most students learn the British form of English, so you might way to familiarize yourself with some of the biggest differences between American English and British English.
As for teaching English in Russia, I would recommend it even though the currency is weak and the visa requirements are tough.
No comments:
Post a Comment