On the other hand, economic crises in Russia and its former satellites mean that neither state schools nor private language institutes can afford to pay expatriate salaries, so there are still opportunities for nonprofessional teachers. The easiest way to become employable is to acquire TEFL qualifications, which can be cheaper to obtain in Eastern Europe. ITC Prague and Via Lingua offer their own four-week certificate course monthly in Prague. While organizations in the U.S. are able to send volunteer teachers without a TEFL qualification, a university degree and some teaching experience is expected. TEFL certification and experience are generally not required but are very helpful.
Most appointments are for an academic year, though one-semester placements are possible.
Hours, especially in the state system, are not excessive, perhaps 20 classes a week. Although salaries are universally low, they are usually considerably higher than those of local teachers and may include free accommodation and a range of benefits. Russia Russia is in its worst political and economic crisis since 1991. Businesses everywhere are closing temporarily or permanently. Many English language schools have been forced to close or shrink as fewer and fewer Russians can afford to pay for lessons.