Thread: China or Russia

Got 3 solid offers from China and one from Russia and I have to make a decision within a week or so. I'm only going to consider one of the offers in China. I'd be working in Qingdao for a "international" school- IB curriculum and I'd be the lead teacher/homeroom. Professionally, China ticks all the boxes. Looks like a nice city with plenty to do in my down time. Pollution is a massive concern- Qingdao was clocking in at an alarming 999 on the air quality index, which is hazardous by anyone's definition. Not worried about culture shock, it's never really been a massive issue for me.

Russia is a different kettle of fish, but it sounds interesting. Pay is not as good, but the air is clean. I'm passionate about teaching, but also passionate about not screwing my lungs up for life- not getting cancer-bonus!. I basically go from state school to state school offering active TPR style lessons for young learners. The company in charge of this is well resourced and has plenty of materials on hand. Accommodation is shared, but rents in Moscow are sky high, so begrudgingly understand it. Always been interested in Russian culture and literature so that is a strong appeal. Don't like the idea of not having my homeroom class and their doesn't seem to be much professional growth opportunities as a class teacher- good opportunities to move into management.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Accommodation is shared,

...deal breaker for me: it's difficult enough to adjust to a foreign culture without having a flatmate's preferences to think about as well...

Why aren't you teaching in Arab countries? You've been doing this for a while now. Just checked the air quality....Chiang mai is worse.

I'd move to Russia only for food.

Originally Posted by YourDaddy

I'd move to Russia only for food

...McDonald's has bkk outlets you know...

Originally Posted by tomcat

...McDonald's has bkk outlets you know...

But do they have beef a la Rus?

...Food Panda may have long distance motocy deliveries...

Originally Posted by YourDaddy

But do they have beef a la Rus?

Or in tc's case, do they have hot, hairy, beefy Russian bears?

Originally Posted by SKkin

do they have hot, hairy, beefy Russian bears?

...you are suspiciously familiar with sub-culture vocab...

Originally Posted by SKkin

Or in tc's case, do they have hot, hairy, beefy Russian bears?

Hot!

Don't knock the Russian job back yet,your room mate may be a Olga from the Volga,some hot women there and cleaner air.

Originally Posted by reddog

your room mate may be a Olga from the Volga

...or Yvonne from the Don: a heavy smoker who takes her vodka straight from the bottle...

Surely Russia allows one to select the room mate from a catalogue. That's the score on the numerous Russian web sites I visit.

Originally Posted by SKkin

Or in tc's case, do they have hot, hairy, beefy Russian bears?

Originally Posted by tomcat

...you are suspiciously familiar with sub-culture vocab...

has crossed my mind as well......

Originally Posted by SKkin

I've learned it all at your forum knee...now I'm about to graduate cum lau-de-da.

(my last full week off Professor Tom, forced schedule change)

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Got 3 solid offers from China and one from Russia and I have to make a decision within a week or so. I'm only going to consider one of the offers in China. I'd be working in Qingdao for a "international" school- IB curriculum and I'd be the lead teacher/homeroom. Professionally, China ticks all the boxes. Looks like a nice city with plenty to do in my down time. Pollution is a massive concern- Qingdao was clocking in at an alarming 999 on the air quality index, which is hazardous by anyone's definition. Not worried about culture shock, it's never really been a massive issue for me.

Russia is a different kettle of fish, but it sounds interesting. Pay is not as good, but the air is clean. I'm passionate about teaching, but also passionate about not screwing my lungs up for life- not getting cancer-bonus!. I basically go from state school to state school offering active TPR style lessons for young learners. The company in charge of this is well resourced and has plenty of materials on hand. Accommodation is shared, but rents in Moscow are sky high, so begrudgingly understand it. Always been interested in Russian culture and literature so that is a strong appeal. Don't like the idea of not having my homeroom class and their doesn't seem to be much professional growth opportunities as a class teacher- good opportunities to move into management.

A very good friend of mine has an English school in Moscow. It is highly regarded and he has many students going on the UK Universities. If you would like to PM me with the name of the Moscow based school then I would be happy to ask around for you.

Originally Posted by aging one

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

We'll see. Maybe I'll learn to post from a mobile. I tried a couple posts last week. It sucks...

^ What sort of mobile are you using? Is it a Samsung?

Originally Posted by happynz

^ What sort of mobile are you using? Is it a Samsung?

It's a cheapy Android...LG X Power. My hands/fingers too big to deal with small keys on a mobile. Frustrating as hell.

Originally Posted by SKkin

Frustrating as hell.

...and leads to nail biting, I see...