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Teach English as a Foreign Language in Vladimir, Russia! [program
background] [teaching opportunity] [application
information]
Initiated in the fall of 1992--with 3 American teachers and 70 Russian students--primarily to generate income to help cover the cost of operating the American Home, Serendipity's English school has developed into a very respected program that emphasizes "effective communication" based on the "international standard" for English. The combination of formal classes and informal interaction between the students and the combined American and Russian staff benefits everyone directly involved--as well as the community at large. The English Program at the American Home is licensed by the Russian Government as a "non-commercial" educational institution. The Program currently averages more than 400 students a term, with a waiting list for the lower level classes. We now employ eight full-time American teachers and two experienced Russian supervisors, both of whom also teach the first semester of the lowest level course. Eleven semesters of regular classes are offered from beginning to advanced. The classes meet twice a week for an hour and a half each meeting. Conversation classes are also offered which meet once a week, and a special TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) class can be provided when there is sufficient demand. Supplementing the formal classes, the American teachers present a series of lectures on various aspects of American history and culture. In addition, special Saturday activities include the showing of American movies, and, depending on the interests of the teachers and students, the playing of outdoor and indoor games (e.g., flag football and chess and poker tournaments), and the celebration of Halloween, Christmas and either Mardi Gras or Valentine's Day. Finally, when there has been sufficient interest, the School has sponsored a Music Club and has informally staged several plays.
• The School offers free or reduced cost classes to a number of low-income students. • About 75 percent of the School's students have been studying at the American Home for more than one semester. • Generally 40 or more students are in at least their 5th semester. Some students have completed the entire program. •About half of the students are in the equivalent of Junior High or High School, or are in "post graduate" programs (roughly the equivalent of American junior colleges), or are University students. • Over the years, many business people, medical and other professionals, and a substantial number of government officials have taken classes at the American Home. • In one of the program's early semesters, before the passage of a law on "privacy" which bans the collection of "personal information," there were 11 teachers, 8 lawyers, 14 medical professionals, 6 military personnel, 24 engineers, 12 secretaries, and people from many other professions. • Since the beginning of the program in September 1992, a significant number of our students have told us that, thanks in large measure to their improved command of English, they had been promoted--or had found better jobs. Be sure to check out The American Home English Program: Participant Comments & Observations! English Teaching Opportunity at the American Home in Vladimir, Russia *Application deadline is March 1st of every year!* The 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 doing business as Serendipity-Russia. Demand for English lessons from native speakers remains very strong. In addition to classes, as noted above, our teachers offer lectures on topics of special interest to Russians. 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. A significant number of our teachers have parlayed their experience in Vladimir into employment in Moscow or stateside—or into admission to major graduate programs, including top ranked law schools. (See the comments below.) Contract period: First or second week of August--depending on the start of the fall term in Russia--through the end of June (2nd year renewal possible) Benefits include:
• A stipend • Room and board with a Russian family • Three hours per week of customized individual Russian lessons taught by trained native speakers • Pleasant, well-equipped working environment in the "first American home in Russia" • Substantial assistance from the very knowledgeable and supportive Russian staff Teacher Responsibilities:
• Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree (at a minimum) by the end of June before the beginning of the contract period. • Teachers must cover the cost of their airfare to and from Moscow • Apply for the required Russian visa. Serendipity will provide full visa support, including assistance with filling out the online visa application, and will pay the visa fee on the Russian side - teachers are responsible for paying the visa fee on the American side • Have health insurance coverage valid in Russia, including emergency medical evacuation coverage. (American Home staff will provide all possible assistance with dealing with any medical problems that might arise.) • New teachers who do not already have an acceptable TESOL certificate will need to take at least a 40 hour online course such as the one offered by i-to-i. This course will have to be completed by no later than the middle of May before the beginning of the contract period. NOTE: An Apostille is an internationally recognized certification of the legitimacy of a notarization. It can be obtained from the Secretary of State in the state where the documents listed above are notarized. These documents are needed in order to initiate the process for obtaining the required type of Russian visa and the required work permit. • Each teacher is required to fulfill all teaching obligations in accordance with the contract, which includes teaching summer school or working on an assigned project if asked. •While some knowledge of Russian is recommended, it is not required. (As noted above, one-on-one tutoring in Russian is a part of the compensation provided in Vladimir.)
Teaching at the American Home was an invaluable experience. It gave me the opportunity to greatly improve some very important practical skills like public speaking, thinking on my feet, and tailoring a message to an audience. The following is a response to the question, "What are the best things about your present job?" 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. For more information, be sure to check out 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... (NOTE: With the addition of a third semester at the A level, we now have a 5 1/2 year program.) 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... Everything we talk about is very interesting, as are all the videos. I think they have found the best way of teaching here at the American Home... The discussions in class, the home work, the audio and video materials--all of this provides a solid foundation for learning.... Our son is confined to a wheelchair, but thanks to his English classes, he has been able to enter a new world and to be with others. He is able to study a different culture and to feel the warmth and caring of the people who work at the American Home.... We want to thank the administration of the American Home for giving him a chance to study here. *** Dear Ron Pope! It would be great if you could open branches of the American Home in Moscow and other cities. [program
background] [teaching opportunity] [application
information] [about
us] [teach english] [study
russian] [travel russia] [special
projects] Website maintained
by Jane E. Keeler |
