FAQ

Though the majority of our teachers are British and American, Language Link also employs Irish, Canadians, South Africans, Australians and New Zealanders. If your nationality doesn't figure in this short list, then Language Link is unable to obtain a letter of invitation for you. Admittedly, this seems strange, and one must ask, 'Why is this so'? The answer to this question is two-fold. First, and foremost, companies that are allowed to invite and employ 'foreign specialists' from abroad are usually limited to a given number of countries from which it may do so. Likewise, this list may vary from Language Link location to location. Secondly, there can be no doubt that there exists a certain prejudice when it comes to preferred dialect or accent. The average Russian has a preference for either 'proper English' a.k.a. British English or the somewhat more colourful American version. At Language Link, we do not condone such attitudes but must, through legal and economic necessity, tailor our hiring practices to conform to both, government decree and language market demands. It should be noted however that both of the above do and have changed over time. Formerly, Australians were excluded from employment. Therefore, if you are native English speaking, you are encouraged to apply regardless of your country of origin as these lists do change from time to time.

Though Language Link is primarily a school of English, it also maintains both a Department for Russian Studies and a Department for European Language Study. Therefore, in addition to native English speakers, Language Link also employs both Russian and European teachers. Russian teachers are hired by Language Link to teach either EFL or Russian as a Foreign Language. In either case, they must be highly qualified holding similar or higher credentials than native English speakers and be experienced teachers. Teachers who work within our Department for European Language Study must be native speaking (e.g. French, German, Spanish, Italian) and hold relevant teaching qualifications.

Language Link teachers are offered full-time teaching contracts by The Company. Though the contract is for 40 hours per week, teaching is to a maximum of 34 academic hours (about 25 clock hours) per week. In addition to a competitive salary on which Language Link pays all Russian taxes, teachers receive free accommodation, a travel allowance to contractual maximums, paid holiday and sick time, provision of medical services, full visa support and on-going academic support from our Head of Academic Department and Directors of Studies.

At Language Link, all teachers' salaries are paid in roubles. It is absolutely illegal for any company operating in the Federal Republic of Russia to pay salaries in any currency other than roubles. Companies that do so not only place their employees (in this case teachers) in jeoprady, but run the risk of company closure should such practices be discovered by the authorities. That said, however, it should be noted that the rouble is fully convertible within Russia. In fact, as any visitor to Russia will have discovered, there are banks and currency exchanges located on practically every street of all major and minor metropolitan areas. Therefore, teachers looking to exchange their salaries for hard currency will have no difficulty doing so. Teachers, however, are advised to consider their daily living needs prior to converting their salaries to hard currency as it is unlawful to pay for products (including foodstuffs) or services in any currency other than roubles.