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wailing_imam
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Malaya
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 Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:18 pm Post subject: Middle East - should I bother? Where? |
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Hi,
UK citizen, male, 35, Trinity DipTESOL, half way through MA TESOL, 10 years teaching (inc 1 in KSA).
Currently working in Singapore earning around US$60k per annum tax free, 20 hours contact time at Australian Uni.
Is it worth thinking of relocating to the middle east? Are salaries that much better given the sacrifices to lifestyle one has to make? If so, where?
Cheers[/list] |
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2buckets
Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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No.
No.
With your package, stay where you are, unless you want to experience the frustration, lack of academic integrity, hypocrisy, and lackadaisical attitude of ME students.
The only reason for you to leave Singapore is if you have an inordinate desire to chew gum. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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Wailing Imam:
Singapore's cost of living is high. Do you get any allowances or employer-provided benefits for transportation, housing, medical, children's education? |
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wailing_imam
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Malaya
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| Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:33 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
Thanks for your answers.
I don't get much in the of benefits, other than health insurance. I am a PR here so get the same benefits as a local. My son is Singaporean so will get into local schools, which are generally of a high standard. Housing is a pain as renting is expensive. I have bought a flat but it is still being built. |
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Gulezar
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:37 pm Post subject: No Masters? |
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| Without a Masters, you might get something in KSA. Once you get your Masters, post Masters degree experience is what counts. In another few years, the EFL market may be drying up in the Gulf. We might be standing in line for jobs in the Far East! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: No Masters? |
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| Gulezar wrote: |
| In another few years, the EFL market may be drying up in the Gulf. |
Why so? Based on what data? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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I'd say that this idea is based on the Qatari experiment with switching the majority of departments to Arabic. And then there is the possibility of war with Iran. So the US election might matter for TEFL education. 
VS |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
I'd say that this idea is based on the Qatari experiment with switching the majority of departments to Arabic. And then there is the possibility of war with Iran. So the US election might matter for TEFL education.
VS |
Thanks for the clarification, VS. I see there's an extensive thread about Qatar U. moving towards Arabic instruction and the elimination of the foundation program (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=94304). Certainly worth reading. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:17 am Post subject: |
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| My advice is to stay put. Of course coming to the Middle East will give you a close-up view of the outbreak of WW3. Seriously........you will find it diffioocult to get a deal like you have anywhere in the GCC area. |
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jargonscott
Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| 2buckets wrote: |
No.
No.
With your package, stay where you are, unless you want to experience the frustration, lack of academic integrity, hypocrisy, and lackadaisical attitude of ME students.
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Agreed.
Nearly all of my old colleagues in the ME would drop their jobs in a heartbeat if they were offered your position (even when you consider the difference in cost of living).
Personally, I'd take a up to a 50% pay cut from my former KSA salary if it meant actually enjoying life again. It's just one of the many, many, many reasons I didn't sign a contract extension. Working a contract in KSA was the right decision at the time and it opened up a lot of doors for me. That being said, I'm beyond excited to be done working in the ME. |
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Kipling
Joined: 13 Mar 2009
Posts: 371
Location: ...Ah Mrs K peel me a grape!!!....and have one yourself!!!!
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| Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:55 pm Post subject: The Singapore Grip....................... |
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Stay put.............
The grass is usually not so green on the other side
..................and erm..if you need any teachers can you pm me???
Mr K
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