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Teach English as a Foreign Language in Vladimir, Russia! [program background] [teaching opportunity] [application information] [notes from teachers] [student comments]
Initiated in the fall of 1992 primarily to generate income to help cover the cost of operating the American Home, Serendipity's English program has developed into a prominent school that benefits both its students and young American teachers--as well as the community at large. The English Program at the American Home opened its doors in September 1992. It is registered with the Russian Government as a not-for-profit educational institution. The Program currently averages 400+ students a term, with a waiting list for the lower level classes. We now employ nine full-time teachers and two experienced Russian supervisors. 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 is also available, along with a series of lectures by our teachers on various aspects of American history and culture. In addition, the School sponsors an English Speakers Club which meets once a month during the academic year, and American movies are shown the other three weekends each month. Finally, when there is sufficient interest, the School sponsors 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 about 40 students are in at least their 5th semester. Some students have completed the entire five-year program. • Thanks to our program, some of our students have acquired better jobs or promotions. For example, out of a group of students from the Vladimir tractor plant, three were promoted to department heads and the rest moved to better positions. • About half the students are in the equivalent of Junior High or High School or are University students. • In a recent semester there were 11 teachers, 8 lawyers, 14 medical professionals, 6 military personnel, 24 engineers, 12 secretaries, and people from many other professions. • Over the years, many business people, including a group of specialists from the local gas company and more than a dozen government officials have taken classes at the American Home. English Teaching Opportunity at the American Home in Vladimir, Russia *Application deadline is March 15th of every 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. Contract period: Second week of August 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 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.) • 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. • Some knowledge of Russian is strongly recommended, although not required.
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. 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. 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.
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... 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.... I took the TOEFL test [Test of English as a Foreign Language--required of all students who want to study in U.S. or Canadian universities] at the beginning of our special class. After just two months I had improved my score by 30 percent! 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.... [program background] [teaching opportunity] [application information] [notes from teachers] [student comments] [about
us] [teach english] [study
russian] [travel russia] [special
projects] Website maintained
by Jane E. Keeler |
