TEACHING OPPORTUNITY

TEACH ENGLISH IN VLADIMIR, RUSSIA

Contract period: mid-August – April 30 with probable extension for summer session to June 30. (2^nd year renewal possible)

Site:  The American Home, Vladimir, Russia 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 15th each year

Serendipity American English and Culture Program has been in continuous operation at the American Home in Vladimir, Russia since September 1992 under the auspices of Serendipity: Russian Consulting & Development, Ltd.—now called Serendipity-Russia.  Demand for English lessons from "native speakers" remains very strong.  In addition to classes, our teachers offer lectures on topics of special interest to Russians.  Recent topics have ranged from the "realities" of American higher education to much lighter fare such as the American preoccupation with physical fitness.

This is an exceptional opportunity to experience Russia in a uniquely supportive atmosphere and to accomplish something worthwhile in the process.  Previous teachers have commented very favorably on the quality of our facilities and teaching materials; the tremendous support provided by their colleagues, including our dedicated Russian staff; and, how much they have enjoyed their Russian students.   Several of our teachers have parlayed their experience in Vladimir into employment in Moscow or stateside—or into admission to major graduate programs. 

Benefits include:

• A stipend

• Room and board with a Russian family

• Three hours per week of individual Russian lessons taught by trained native speakers

• Pleasant, well-equipped working environment in the "first American home in Russia"

• Assistance from the very knowledgeable and supportive Russian staff

Teacher Responsibilities:

• Round trip airfare to Moscow; one year multi entry visa—Serendipity provides full visa support and pays the visa fee on the Russian side--teachers pay the visa fee on the American side; and maintenance of health insurance coverage in the U.S. plus emergency medical evacuation coverage.  (Basic limited medical expenses in Russia, with the exception of medications, will be covered.)

• In addition, the new teachers will be required to take an online TESOL course.  The cost of this course is about $265.  All the new teachers will take this course at the same time and will share the feedback they receive.

• Fulfillment of the contract teaching obligations--which includes teaching summer school if asked.  (The contract period runs from the second week in August through the end of June.)

Some knowledge of Russian is strongly recommended.

A limited number of internships are also available to individuals whose interests coincide with Serendipity's.

We welcome your questions and comments!

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Ron Pope, President
Serendipity English Program
1403 Kingsridge Drive
Normal, Illinois 61761-2860
Phone:  (309) 454-2364—Tuesdays or Thursdays
EMAIL

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Summer barbeque on the deck

Selected Comments From Previous Teachers

During my time in Vladimir I have been able to learn an immense amount about teaching, Russian culture and language, and myself....  Every day here provides me with new perspectives and experiences that I know I would never have had if I were still in the United States. Coming to Russia as an English teacher is a powerful experience, one that will test you in many ways. It is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture and to get some valuable teaching experience in the process. Michael Kogan, Indiana University

Note:  The above is from an article in the School of Russian and Asian Studies newsletter.   For the complete article:  www.sras.org/news2.phtml?m=631

I started studying Russian my third-year of college and then graduated knowing that I wanted and needed to learn much more Russian and more about Russia -- and what better way to spend the year after graduation than abroad.   The Serendipity program was the best way I found to do that.  I was able to live with a family, experience provincial Russia (I figured it would be fairly easy to find a way to live in Moscow or Petersburg at some later point), develop my Russian language skills, be part of a community, have a network of other Americans (but not too many) and explore what the other side of the desk is like after 18 years as a student.   All of this and more was what I got.  My co-teachers were people to learn with and from, and provided a support base -- when we learned a new custom, or had a question, we were able to share.  The staff at the American Home were also an invaluable and constant resource.  Galya had answers to all questions, and the "night guards" were always happy to call a cab for us or drink a cup of tea.  And then there were the students.  I learned so much from them, about teaching, learning, Russia, them and myself.  I had some of the same students for two semesters.  It was astounding seeing their improvement, and having them comment on my (constantly growing) teaching skill.  I felt that I really gave them a feel for the poems we read, the movies we watched, the words we used -- and they, through their learning process, opened up the English language to me.  Would I do it again?   YES.  Bowie Snodgrass, Vassar

Teaching English at the American Home in Vladimir is the best way I can  imagine to get to know Russia. You live with a Russian family and take Russian lessons from an excellent teacher at the same time that you have the support, assistance and friendship of the other American teachers and the wonderful Russian staff.  As you get to know your students better they begin inviting you to dinner, to the theater, to go dancing, etc. Thanks to the friendships I've established here, I feel even more comfortable than I did last year in France where I was more familiar with the language and culture.  However, I do recommend learning as much as you can about teaching English to foreigners before you get here. There is an orientation before classes begin, but the more experience you have, the more comfortable you'll feel.  Nicole Mercer, University of California at Santa Cruz

I would highly recommend this job, not only to Russian majors, but to anyone with an interest in Russia. Vladimir is a nice place--quiet and provincial, but within daytrip-distance from Moscow.   The teachers here all live with Russian families and are offered three hours a week of Russian tutoring as part of their salary, so even though we're teaching English, there's ample opportunity to speak Russian.  In terms of teaching English, there are many opportunities in Russia, but I can't imagine finding a better situation than I have here.  The staff at the American Home (both Russian and American) is incredibly supportive and encouraging and has been a wonderful part of my experience here.  Because of the maximum 2-year contract, there is a constant influx of new ideas and passing on of learned lessons and experience.  Kira Lee, Carleton College

Vladimir offers a real opportunity to immerse yourself in Russian language and culture.  Such immersion can be very frightening at first, and that is why working at the American Home is such a plus.  Here I am given the opportunity to work with Russians in an atmosphere that is very familiar, fostering, and comfortable.  I would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience Russia for what it really is--and be involved in an internship-style occupation that is both flexible and rewarding. Matt Plischke, Miami University (Ohio)

Vladimir and the American Home are ideally situated.  Vladimir is a part of Russia's famed Golden Ring, and the American Home lies in the heart of downtown Vladimir.  Here, you have all the advantages of Russian city life, but with all the charm of the nearby dachas.  The American Home really is the meeting and mixing point for two cultures.  You live and work with a friendly staff and friendly students.  The Russian lessons and the Russian homestay give you a chance to improve your speaking abilities while experiencing Russian culture firsthand.   The longer I stay, the more I discover how much Vladimir has to offer me.  Erika Boeckler, University of Wisconsin at Madison

Working in Vladimir is the best thing I have ever done to improve my Russian, learn more about Russian culture, and give myself time to decide what my next step will be.  Rachel Lu Owens, University of Montana

One of the things my current professors [at Columbia University] have pointed out to me is that, for people interested in pursuing anything related to Russian or post-Soviet studies, there's a real advantage to living in a city like Vladimir.  Because of the political situation which restricted most travel and research outside of Moscow and Leningrad for so long, a lot of the current specialists are people who may very well not have spent much time outside these two major cities.   For this reason, I'm told, the younger Americans who are living in small towns in Russia are seen as possessing a "unique and valuable experience" when compared to those who worked pretty much exclusively in the larger cities.  Jason Muse, Occidental College

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Birthday celebration at the American Home

Student and Parent Comments

The lectures the American Home organizes about American traditions help to eliminate stereotypes....

The conversation classes are a great addition to the regular courses.  If we ever have a chance to go to the United States it will definitely be easier to understand people.....

Having 10 different levels of proficiency [i.e., 5 years with two semesters each] is a great thing.  The people who are studying with me are all at the same level which allows us to use our time in class efficiently...

Their extraordinary sense of humor, kindness, understanding, and even their artistic abilities--all this is a great combination in our teachers....                         

The opportunity to communicate with American teachers is wonderful....

This program is great.  The classes are taught in an open, relaxing way, and this makes you feel the same...                               

We like our classes very much.  We don't feel intimidated in the American Home like we do in our regular foreign language classes.  When the class is over each day we don't want to leave...                                      

The relaxed system of teaching, the humor, the willingness to answer all of our questions--all of this helps to break down the language barriers...