Job Discussion Forums

fustiancorduroy · Joined: 03 Feb 2013 Posts: 1 Location: Seoul, Korea

Hello,

Does anyone have any info about test-prep teaching in Dubai? I've looked online for jobs there and it seems that most positions are for international schools. Are there any institutions which focus on teaching IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, AP test prep and the like?

A little about me: I have been working in South Korea for six years. I taught at the top foreign language high school, which is South Korea's number one feeder school to Ivy League universities in the US and the SKY (top three) universities in South Korea. I currently teach at a TOEFL and SAT academy in Seoul. I am also the author of several TOEFL books, debate books, and other test prep books, each of which have sold thousands of copies. Additionally, I posses a B.A. in English composition from the University of South Carolina.

So are there any jobs for someone with my experience? If so, do they pay well? I currently make about US $6,500 a month for 20-25 hours of teaching per week and, if I go to Dubai, I would like to make a similar or greater amount.

Thank you for your insight.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I'd say to stay where you are. I don't see you duplicating this money doing "test prep." To be honest, I've never seen an ad looking for anyone with this skill in the Gulf. It seems to be more common in Asia.

I would think that there might be some test prep positions in the bigger International Schools, but we hear little about them here since this is an ESL/EFL board. The job fairs that are held around the US by the ISS (International Schools Services) may be the place to go for this type of job. Check out higheredjobs.com and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The universities may have TOEFL or IELTS prep classes, but they require an MA + 3-5 years. Normally the teachers in the Foundations department do these courses if needed.

VS

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I have met a very few test prep teachers, but they are working under the table for dodgey employers. No protection against non-payment and certainly always the possibility of deportation.

Keskaa · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:48 am Post subject:

I've also never heard of anyone doing test prep courses. I do know that IELTS is highly valued here, but I never seem to see anyone taking any actual courses for it.