Volunteer programme

Your participation depends on Language Link's ability to issue you with a visa invitation. We are able to offer visa support to citizens of the UK, the USA, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries. If your nationality doesn't figure in this short list, you may still be eligible for the shorter programmes (6 or 12 weeks). For more precise information, contact us (please indicate Volunteer in the subject title).

Applicants for the Teaching Assistant and Translator/Editor positions must be native speakers of English, French or German. All volunteers must have a good command of English. A basic ability to communicate in Russian is preferable (although not essential) for all positions except Teaching Assistant and for the Translator/Editor and IT roles a minimum of intermediate Russian is required.

The programme is open to anyone who has successfully completed their high school education, although graduates or undergraduates (any major) are preferred. Applicants for the IT positions must have experience or qualifications in their area of specialisation.

When recruiting volunteers, Language Link looks for confidence, enthusiasm and a committed attitude to work. Applicants should be highly motivated, with the ability to adapt to different cultures and to take the initiative whether working individually or in a team. In most cases, a strong desire to help young learners and adults reach their educational goals is essential.

The Language Link Volunteer Programme is open to the young and the young at heart. Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the start of the programme.

Applicants must be able to support themselves financially throughout their stay in Russia. Applicants for the longer programmes (24 and 36 weeks) may be eligible for a housing stipend; however, this should not be a primary consideration when applying.

• Visa support: Visa support Language Link provides the documentation necessary to obtain a Russian visa for your stay (i.e. official Letter of Invitation and Letter of Support), and takes responsibility for registering you with the authorities as required by Russian law.
• Accommodation: Language Link provides your choice of housing as part of the programme: choose from family home-stay (B&B or half board), shared apartment or choose to opt-out of Language Link accommodation.
• Return airport transfer: Language Link will meet you on your arrival and take you to your accommodation. We will also arrange your transport to the airport at the end of your stay.
• Orientation materials
• Administrative fees

Costs NOT included in the programme fee: Travel to and from Russia; visa processing costs at Russian embassies outside Russia, living expenses in Russia; health and travel insurance (please note that Language Link cannot be held liable for any illnesses contracted by Volunteers residing in Russia, and purchasing comprehensive health & travel insurance before arrival is strongly recommended).

Orientation is provided upon arrival in Russia, and all volunteers may attend up to 4 academic hours of free Russian language lessons per week during their stay (on the condition that a space is available in a class of the appropriate level).

Volunteers participating in programmes of 24 weeks or longer are eligible to apply for a monthly housing stipend from Language Link, which covers the cost of accommodation in one of the school's shared apartments. Provided the volunteer is deemed eligible and a space is available in one of Language Link's apartments, the stipend commences from the 13th week of the programme. To qualify, the volunteer must have:

• successfully completed 12 weeks of the programme

• worked a minimum of 30 hours per week and

• completed the assignments set by his/her supervisors to a high standard

If you would like to participate in Language Link's Volunteer Programme, please apply online. For more information, please write to us (indicating Volunteer in the subject title).