Job Discussion Forums

[Gman-eire]

Hi Everyone,
I have been lurking and reading many posts in here this past week about teaching jobs in the Middle East. Now I would like to run my situation past you please, and hopefully can get some kind advice.

I am currently teaching primary school in Thailand in an English Program in a private Thai school. I have several years experience, I teach a full schedule of classes each week as Homeroom Teacher and I am also the Deputy Head of the English Program. I am married, I have one nearly 4 year old son, and son number 2 is due in mid-April. I really love teaching, and I love Thailand, but the problem is it is impossible to save any money here month to month, (I even own my house outright, and have a second job at night and still I break to zero financially towards the end of each month.

Since baby number 2 is due in April coming, I am now currently researching a move to the Middle East in approx 3 years time. I am considering moving the family lock stock and barrel, and making a long term commitment perhaps 5 - 10 years. The goal will be to save money over this period, then return to Thailand to teach again.

I am Irish and also a Canadian Citizen

My educational qualifications are as follows:

B.A. Degree (Major: Anthropology) from UPEI in Canada
Post Graduate Dip in Business Studies UCD Ireland
TEFL Cert with teaching experience.
PGCEi University of Nottingham (I will be finished this next month)
I plan on continuing on from my PGCE with Uni of Nottingham to complete an M.A. in Education projected end date mid 2015. (I aim to have the Masters finished before I would make a middle east move).
I will have 6+ years teaching experience by the time I am ready to move on this.

I am not a certified teacher unfortunately (Ok, I will have a Thai Teachers License mid this year, but I think I am right to assume being a certified teacher in Thailand will mean zero for jobs in the ME)

I take a long term view of everything in life. I am prepared to work my way up the ladder over the first few years. I have a very positive attitude that way.

My questions relate around what sort of job would I expect to aim for in the Middle East?
What sort of salary and is there prospects increasing salary over time? Which location would be best for me to target with a Thai wife and young children?
Do people think financially this could be a viable move?
Not being teacher certified from my home country (Ireland) I know there would be no/very slim chance of getting into a top pay international school. But is there still hope for me somewhere not bring certified?
I also would considering teaching adults.

Any additional insight re my own personal situation here, would be greatly appreciated, and offer thanks in advance.

Kindest Regards
G

[nomad soul]

To get an idea of jobs and requirements in the region, periodically check out the job fair offerings posted on TESOL Arabia's site.

[scot47]

Try KFUPM/DDC

[douglas1969]

[Gman-eire]

Thank you for the feedback so far. Yes that is what I am trying to get a feel for, is with me and a wife and 2 kids, qualifications etc, would be it worth if moving to the ME to save money based on my situation? In Thailand the pay is not good at all to be honest, unfortunately rearranging finances won't do it.
Having dependents, I am really trying to research the ME job opportunities to find out if the ME could work for me?

[douglas1969]

[Gman-eire]

Regarding potential savings in ME especially Saudi maybe, considering I have a wife and young sons, I would in very happy at saving $700-800 p month/$10,000 per year. 6 - 7 years of that would allow me to come back to Thailand with a nice sum of money for buying rental property etc.

I gather from reading on this forum, that usually if one is discreet, there seems to be plenty of opportunity for moonlighting as a private tutor in the evenings/weekends. Or indeed day job overtime for those who want it?
I already work 3 jobs here in Thailand, sometimes 14 hour days, so certainly I am willing to work as much as possible if I go the the ME.

It appears Saudi Arabia may be the best country to target, head down, work as much as possible and save.

[scot47]

I have met lots of EFL teachers in Saudi with Thai and other S.E. Asian wives. Many of them yo-yo to and fro. Typically they like the money but not the lifestyle. Some do two years, go back to Thailand and then regret it.

Diiemmas !

[douglas1969]

[Gman-eire]