TEFL Certification Course

St Petersburg is quite rightly known throughout the world for its beauty and culture. So unlike the Russian cities that came before it, with its strict geometric lines and an elegance reminiscent of Europe's most alluring capitals, St. Petersburg is in many ways Russia's adopted child: too European to be Russian, and yet too Russian to be European. A powerful combination of both East and West, St. Petersburg is, more than anything, a city born of the passion of its founder, Czar Peter the Great, to bring an unwilling Russian nation into the fold of Europe and into the mainstream of history. Built on more than a hundred islands in the NEA Delta linked by canals and arched bridges, it is often called the "northern Venice," and its elegant embankments are reminiscent of those of Paris. The city's focal point is the Admiralty; its most-visited attraction, a stone's throw away, the Winter Palace. Three major avenues radiate outward from the Admiralty: Nevsky Prospect (St. Petersburg's main shopping street), Gorokhovaya Ulitsa, and Voznesensky Prospect.

The largest country in the world, Russia covers an area of approximately 17,075,400 square kilometers and is populated by the world's ninth largest population. Bordering over 12 countries - from Norway and Finland to Mongolia, China and North Korea - the massive country of Russia offers a taste of just about every corner of the world. From the high-speed, big city life in Moscow to the relaxed pace of the smaller, surrounding towns, Russia mixes the beauty of the old with a taste of the new - from the cosmopolitan life within the walls of some of its massive cities (i.e. Moscow and St. Petersburg) to the rural settings of the quaint, Russian countryside.

However there is much more to the city than this. There is a huge variety of cultural and non-cultural entertainment, all of which is available on a limited budget. The food and transportation in the city are relatively inexpensive.

The School

Earn your TEFL certification in St. Petersburg - former capital of the Russian Empire for over 200 years and the third largest city in all of Europe. Located in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia, St. Petersburg is located on the Neva River and the Baltic Sea and boasts an amazing population of over 6 million people. Known as "the most European city of Russia" and "the Northern Capital," locations within this cosmopolitan city offer modern day amenities amongst echoes of Russia's multicultural past - the center of St. Petersburg being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread out over more than 100 islands spider-webbed by a matrix of rivers, creeks, canals, gulfs, lakes and ponds, St. Petersburg is awash with a plethora of palaces, beautifully-built bridges, cathedrals, temples, museums, monuments and parks - a city suited for anyone looking to observe the beauty resulting from the co-existence of architecture and nature, all while gaining an internationally-recognized teaching certification.

Tuition does cover:

• TEFL course 4 weeks tuition and 120 hour certification
• Course materials
• Job placement facilities
• Basic "survival" Russian language lessons
• Airport pick-up/transfer to accommodations

Tuition does not cover:

• Living accommodations
• Meals
• Personal expenses
• International flights
• Visa, immunization

Living Accommodations/Meals

Accommodations/Meals

TEFL Institute's school in St. Petersburg can assist in locating appropriate living accommodations to best suit the needs of TEFL participants - all available at very competitive prices. All student accommodations in St. Petersburg are either in or near the center of the city. Accommodations are usually in fully-furnished, shared apartments. Home-stays and private apartments can also be arranged upon request.
The starting price for accommodations in St. Petersburg starts at approximately €240.

Typically, participants are housed at our partnering institute's hostel within a 3-room apartment with fellow trainees. If preferred, participants may be placed with a Russian host-family where breakfast is provided (usually for the same price as the hostel-based accommodations).

NOTE: a refundable deposit is required from trainees to cover possible damage to the living accommodations. Usually, some or all of this deposit ($75) is returned upon vacating of the accommodations.

Meals are the responsibility of the participant. Affordable meals may be purchased throughout the city of St. Petersburg at very reasonable prices. Russian cuisine is derived from the vast number of cultures contained within its (Russia 's) expansive borders. With Eastern cooking methods (derived from the country's close proximity to the Silk Road) and staples such as fish, poultry, game, mushrooms, berries and honey with various breads supplemented by crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet (also serving as the basis for pancakes, cereals, kvass, beer and vodka), the country's flavorful soups and stews are the perfect defense against Russia's often-harsh climate. A variety of soups (both hot and cold) grace numerous, Russian dinner tables as well as various meat-based dishes (using any and all kinds of meat).

Arrival Information

Trainees should arrive at the Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Transfer from Airport to Host Family/Hostel

Program fee covers airport transfer/pick-up and reception

How can I contact the TEFL institute (if I arrive before the start of the TEFL St. Petersburg program)?

In the event that a participant arrives before the start date, it is advised that they arrange their own accommodations and contact someone at TEFL Institute's office who will then provide participants with instructions. Details, such as the address and telephone numbers of TEFL Institute in St. Petersburg, will be provided to participants in their in final placement details/pre-departure booklet.

Internet/Telephone/Medical Facilities

The city of St. Petersburg offers a variety of telecommunication and medical facilities/services. Phone and internet services are also available in various internet cafés throughout the city (some within a 5-minute walk from the TEFL Institute).

Climate

The climate of St. Petersburg is classified as "humid continental" of the cool summer subtype. Summertime is usually cool, humid and short while winters are long and cold but with frequent warm spells. The month of July sees average temperatures of 22°C (72°F) with the highest temperatures reaching 34°C (94°F). Wintertime sees minimum temperature averages of -27°C (-17°F) with the lowest ever recorded as -35.9°C (-33°F). The city of St. Petersburg sees somewhat slightly warmer temperatures than the suburbs with varying weather conditions year-round with an average of 165 overcast days out of the entire year.