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Overview
Earn a good living working as a private language school instructor while immersing yourself in a unique and beautiful culture!
Program at a Glance:
- Paid private school placements throughout Russia
- Minimum 600 rubles/hour, up to 1,200/hour (dependent on placement location)
- 6-12 month contracts
- Monthly, flexible start dates
- Option to choose your placement city!
Eligibility
- Native English speaker
- Citizen of the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand
- Bachelor’s degree
- 120+ Hour TEFL/TESOL Certification (can be in process when you apply)
- OR Education major
- OR teaching license + 2 years of teaching experience
- Age 21-50
Unfortunately, we are unable to make any exceptions to these requirements.
Benefits
- Minimum 600 rubles/hour, up to 1,200/hour (dependent on placement location)
- Airport pickup
- Visa paperwork and processing assistance
- Placement confirmed before arrival
- Accommodation arranged before arrival
- Online orientation before departure
- In-person, personalized orientation in your placement city
- Personal attention from Greenheart Travel to ease you through the application and visa process
- Program completion certificate and recommendation letters
Costs and Inclusions
Placement fee: $300
This fee covers:
- Guaranteed teaching position in Russia at a vetted school
- 2 informational interviews on the program and your placement preferences
- Airport pickup
- Arranged accommodation by your school
- Visa paperwork and assistance
- Pre-departure support
Optional Add-on – City Preference Placement: $150
This guarantees placement in the city of your choice. You can add this option on after your second interview if you choose.
Personal startup costs:
- Visa (~$200)
- Federal background check ($20-$50)
- Flight to Russia (~$1,000 from North America)
- $1100 – $2000 USD to get you started in Russia
- Insurance (optional)
Start Dates
Due to the time required to obtain the proper visa, it’s best to apply 4-6 months in advance of your desired start date. Contracts are 6-12 months long.
- September 2019
- October 2019
- November 2019
- December 2019
- January 2020
Placements
Teachers are placed in private language academies throughout Russia. Teachers will be offered two placement options. You won’t need to decide right away, and you’ll have the chance to discuss these options with a representative in Russia during your second interview before you have to commit to an option.
General placement (best available school, locations throughout Russia): No additional fee
- We encourage this option! Flexibility and open-mindedness on placement location always lead to a richer and more fulfilling, as well as impactful, teaching abroad experience. Your salary will go much further in a smaller, lesser-known city, and you’ll have a more immersive cultural experience! You’ll also be serving a population of students who may not have access to the language education that is more widely available in the major cities.
City Preference Placement (choose your city): $150 additional fee
- If you are very committed to being placed in a certain major city, our team in Russia will offer you the option of paying a $150 fee to guarantee placement in the metro area of your choice. They do this because it takes a lot of extra staff time and effort to find schools that meet our standards and are currently hiring in these competitive teaching markets. With this option, you can choose any city with a population over 500,000, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, or any city that interests you the most!
Note that some city preference placements are in the suburbs of your preferred city, rather than the city center.
Position and Salary
School Details
- Extracurricular English Academy
- Solo teaching
- Students usually age 5-17, but some schools serve all ages including adults!
- Afternoon and weekend hours
- Flexible schedule – work with your school to choose your hours
- Minimum 600 rubles/hour, up to 1,200/hour (dependent on placement location)
- 15-30 hours/week
- Small classes (5-12 students)
You will be the solo teacher in your class, so you’ll be responsible for classroom management and lesson planning. This is a great opportunity to get some real teaching experience!
Accomodation
Your accommodation will be arranged for you by your school before you arrive, so you won’t have to worry about apartment hunting. Housing is typically single-occupancy apartments. You will be responsible for paying rent, which will vary by location.
Why Greenheart Travel?
We offer support service, making the complicated process of moving to Russa much easier on you!
- Our staff is in Chicago – we are available to answer questions during US business hours
- Friendly, responsive, and professional support from program managers who have taught abroad
- An experienced program manager will personally review your application to make sure it’s correct and ready to be submitted to the schools in Russia
- Hands-on support and personal attention every step of the way including:
- Preliminary practice interview with Greenheart Travel
- Exclusive tips and prep questions for your interviews
- Access to guides and tools for each part of the complicated visa process
- Tips and resources to expedite your documents
- Comprehensive and in-depth pre-departure support includes cultural and logistical training
- Continued support throughout your contract in Russia
- Discounted document processing services
- “Travel For A Change” swag!
- 24/7 emergency support line
- We are a non-profit, mission-based organization
Want to know more?
FAQs
I’m nervous about moving to Russia!
We know that this is a big move, so we’re here to support you in every step, from the day you apply to your very last day in Russia. We’ll assist you through the visa process and prepare you for your departure. When you arrive in Russia, a staff member will be waiting at the airport to welcome you and help you settle into your new apartment. You’ll have support throughout your program from our team in Russia as well as our Chicago office.
Can I apply with my friend or significant other?
It depends on job availability at the time you apply. Most schools are only hiring one foreign teacher at a time, so it can be difficult to find joint placements. It is more likely if you opt of city preference placement.
What type of visa will I be working on?
You will arrive on a 3-month work visa, which your employer will extend for you while you’re in Russia. No visa run will be required to extend this visa. Your placement school will provide the necessary support paperwork. You will be responsible for paying for the visa, which will cost about $200, before you can go to Russia. We’ll send you the paperwork and instructions to apply to make that process easier.
How and when will I be paid?
Your salary will be paid each month (for the previous month) in local currency, and will be deposited into your Russian bank account. Your school will help you set up your bank account.
Is Russia safe?
Russia is a safe country. However, just like in any country, you should exercise caution and practice good judgment: Be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings, don’t walk alone late at night, etc.
Are there any required vaccinations for Russia?
While there are no required vaccinations for Russia beyond routine vaccinations, we highly recommend that you see a doctor or travel clinic for advice on vaccinations. You can find more details about the recommended vaccinations on the CDC website.
Application Process
1. Start Your Application Here: Greenheart Travel Application. This first step includes things like your name, address and chosen start date and should take around 10-15 minutes to complete. Once complete, you will receive a link to a digital Terms and Conditions form.
2. Sign the Terms & Conditions (Approximately 10 Minutes): These are our basic policies like cancellation policies, deferral policies, etc.
3. Submit your program fee (Approximately 5 minutes): The $300 fee is required in order to apply for the program. If we are unable to accept you following your interview (very unlikely!) we will refund your deposit in full.
4. Secondary Application Form (Approximately 30 Minutes): Provide more detailed information about yourself in Part 2 of the application. Links to this part will be emailed to you. In this section, you’ll tell us more information like your work history, motivations for joining the program, travel history, and emergency contacts.
5. Submitting Your Documents: Submit your required documents (below) at the link provided.
6. Skype Interview (Approximately 10-15 Minutes): Once you have submitted your online application and paid your application deposit, you will be asked to schedule a video interview with a Greenheart Travel representative.
7. You’re accepted! Woohoo! We are usually able to accept people within 1-2 weeks of their interviews.
9. Book your flights, and get ready for your adventure to Russia!
Required Documents
- Resume
- Federal background check
- Passport
- Bachelor’s Degree
- TEFL certification
Schedule a Call
Have questions or want to talk to the program manager, Savannah? Set up a time to have a phone call below.