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Testimonials

This year's Teacher Internship Programme has seen participants from the USA, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Here's what some of them had to say about the programme. Justin N. Yeager - 2007-08 (from the USA) I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive about relocating to Russia for a long period of time, as well as being a teacher of English. However, I have been pleasantly surprised many times. Aside from the constant effort of trying to overcome the language barrier, and surviving a LONG winter, all has been well. I have many friends who have traveled overseas to teach EFL, and upon their return, I have heard many horror stories about cultural rifts and the disorganized state of the company in which they were working. After seven months teaching for Language Link, I could not be more satisfied. From the very beginning, the training program that I was involved in helped to prepare me not only for teaching but how to focus on the most commons problems that one encounters while teaching Russian students. The teacher trainers were ready with an answer for any questions the intern teachers had, not only about teaching, but also about life in general in Russia.... and as could be expected, there were many questions! I was sad to leave the Moscow school to go onto my teaching post, but I have enjoyed my entire time living in Yekaterinburg. I love working in the Language Link school in Yekaterinburg. The teachers and staff here are almost like a big family, and when I arrived I was treated the same. The DOS has been on maternity leave since my arrival, but the Assistant DOS, Tanya, has been brilliant! The native-English teachers have taken to calling her "Super Tanya!" If you need anything, Tanya will find it for you! If it cannot be found, maybe it simply just does not exist. She was even able to find a Russian language teacher for us to make the transition a bit easier. At least now, I know what I am buying when I go shopping for food! The other teachers are just as helpful, and always willing to tell a short anecdote about teaching or living in Russia. I have decided that I definitely want to return for another year with Language Link. It has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them. If you're thinking of teaching EFL, this is the place, and maybe I will see you next year! Tara Ingman - 2007-08 (from the USA) Language Link is a great opportunity: you get training, real teaching experience, and a home in a foreign country; and you even get paid for it! What attracted me to Language Link initially was that, unlike so many other programs that ask you to pay for your training or are volunteer programs only, Language Link offers you a job that will actually pay you to learn to teach in a foreign country. Not many programs will do the same. Once I arrived and began the program, I was pleased to discover the close-knit and supportive atmosphere here. I have always felt that if I had a problem, either about teaching or just general problems about living in Russia, there were always people I could go to for help. The staff and the senior teachers have always made themselves available to answer any questions and offer help of any kind. I was able to focus on becoming a better teacher and adjusting to life in Russia knowing that I could go to them. Ed Bently - 2007-08 (from the UK) Arriving in Moscow is pretty nerve-wracking for most people. However, pretty soon the training starts and then you are too busy to be nervous. The training is excellent and without it I would have been completely lost when I started teaching. Moreover, people are always available to help by offering advice or suggested class room activities. After a while you begin to feel your classroom is your own but the help is still there if need. Harry Collier IV - 2007-08 (from the USA) If you are reading this you probably have a strong desire to teach English in Russia. Furthermore, it stands to reason that you have done a lot of research on teaching overseas and more specifically Russia. Fresh from college, with teaching degree in hand, you have undoubtedly looked into several training programs as well as schools and are trying to decide the best route to go. Then again, maybe you are much like myself a year ago... You have no teaching, or for that matter college credentials but you are really bored and clicking on random internet banners. Either way I would like to tell you about the intern program at Language Link. When I arrived in Moscow last August I knew nothing about Russia or Teaching. I just knew that it would be an adventure, and frankly I'm the kind of guy who loves an adventure. During the first two weeks in Russia I spent around twelve hours a day, five days a week training. Yes it sounds like a lot, but believe it or not, it was some of the most fun I have ever had. The training classes are taught by people who really care and want you to be a good teacher. And better still, they are taught by people who know that the best way to learn is by having fun and enjoying yourself. After the training I was placed at one of the Language Link schools and began my career as a teacher. My first day I was very nervous because, as I previously mentioned, I had just spent two weeks having fun and playing games for 12 hours a day and now I was supposed to teach. Horror struck me as I looked out at all the foreign faces in the classroom. What was I doing here? Did I really think I could be a teacher? What an idiot I had been. But a split-second before I ran for the door to hop on the first plane back to America I decided to give my training a try and started playing one of the fun language games I had learned with the class. Before I knew it I WAS TEACHING, and unbelievable as it may seem I was not THAT bad at it either. In the 7 months since this first experience I have changed locations and am now teaching at the Central School in Moscow. Everyday I learn something new and everyday I teach something new to my classes. It is a great system. There are still a few times, ok... honestly a LOT of times, when I have trouble preparing a lesson or figuring out a grammar point, but that is what is so great about Language Link's Internship Program - whenever I have trouble there is always at least 5 experienced teachers available, usually a lot more, willing to jump in and help. Though it is hard to believe, I am coming to the close of my internship at Language Link and will be a full-fledged teacher. Was it easy? No, but it wasn't that difficult either. Am I glad I didn't run out of that first class? Extremely. Cara Roney - 2007-08 (from the USA) This program has made me appreciate the complexity of the English language, something that I'd always taken for granted. It's also given me greater confidence speaking in front of people and the courage to tell someone when they're flat-out wrong (but to soften it with how and why). I also appreciate the ready support for any and all problems that I've encountered, academic or otherwise. Josephine Cox - 2007-08 (from the USA) Coming to Russia, I decided not to have any prior ideas of what I should or should not expect. Having traveled before, I have found that prior biased opinions about a culture seemed to have hindered my experience while visiting that country. This is also true of any new experience, be it a new university, a new scholastic summer festival or a new place of employment. With this being said, my time at Language Link has been a positive one! I did not expect, though, that teaching English would be such hard work. Nevertheless, I really do love my job and have learned so much, not only about teaching in general, but also about people and, more specifically, the Russian culture and mind-set. Even though I am a new EFL teacher, I am not new to the teaching field, having taught music before coming to Russia. EFL has challenged my teaching abilities, being outside of my comfort zone. I did not expect to have so many different classes, ranging from Elementary to Upper-Intermediate and FCE, children, teenagers and adults, groups and individuals. Being forced to plan so many different classes has improved my teaching methodologies and techniques and has taught me how to better prioritise. I also feel as if I can communicate better with people of all ages and speaking abilities. Never again will I be impatient while speaking with a foreigner! Aleisha Bald (from Australia) Having the opportunity to participate in the Language Link internship has really given me the confidence to head off to my current posting and feel I can do well. Being able to observe experienced teachers and practice teaching ourselves really gave us an insight into the whole teaching experience. Being looked after in regards to our visas, registration, flats (fridges & phones) and future placements really makes the whole daunting prospect of moving to another country (where you can't speak the language) much more manageable. Amy Van Dyke (from the USA) The training Language Link provided me with was very helpful. Never having taught before, the idea of teaching grammar was a bit daunting at first. After our classes and practice teaching, however, I'm actually looking forward to having my own students. I should mention, also, that the transition to life in Russia went rather smoothly. Someone was there to meet me at the airport, and if I ever have a problem, there are a number of people I can contact to help me. Jennifer Kelly (from Canada) Having 3 weeks to learn how to teach was great. I found it really helpful to have shorter practice teaching sessions, especially considering you're surrounded by experienced teachers. I definitely think this was a worthwhile experience, and would recommend this program/school to anyone interested in living in Moscow. As for the 3 weeks of learning to teach - it was fun. I was always excited to come in, and all of the classes were fun and energetic! All in all, I'm very pleased with this program and highly recommended it! Thanks. Jim Nockels (from the UK) Coming to Russia as a new teacher was a daunting experience, but Language Link made it so much easier. All the staff are really helpful and supportive in every area from visa support to accommodation. The internship scheme is a great introduction to teaching. Joseph Bilz (from the USA) The internship program at Language Link is a wonderful opportunity to learn to teach English. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Not only did they arrange to pick me up at the airport (at 4:00 am) but they drove me to an apartment and took care of everything. Nathalie Cooper (from the UK) I really enjoyed the Language Link internship program. The whole thing was a very useful experience and we were taught in a fun and dynamic way. It's a shame I was unable to be here for the first week of the course! There were no bad sides to it at all. Everyone who works here and studies here is a very friendly. The course teaches people not only to teach but also to be more confident - it has helped me a great deal. Rachel Lunan (from the USA) Could Language Link be any more accommodating? Flats, visas, facility tours, hours of training plus advice. My first time in Russia has been smooth sailing so far, and, with the phenomenal assistance of faculty and staff alike, I'm sure fulfilling my contract now will not be a struggle. Vanessa Knauf (from USA) The teaching internship at Language Link was a good experience. If I'd started teaching without taking the course I'd have been completely lost! All the faculty and staff were very helpful and patient. And being picked up at the airport and given your own flat doesn't hurt either! Veronica Armendariz (from the USA) The people at Language Link really take care of us well. Everything was done and organized in a way that would best fit each individual. Anything that I needed or had questions about was addressed. I could not have asked for a smoother process, or more caring people. Thank you Language Link!