Job Discussion Forums

[ChloeJoe]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and have very much been enjoying reading through all of your posts about teaching in SA. (And scot47, I love the 'Magic Kingdom' phrase.

I was really concerned, however, to read comments about pre-MA teaching not counting towards job requirement counts. Is this really always the case? That's pretty disheartening.

A little about me: I'm 27 now...when I was 23 I went to Prague to teach English for a year, only to decide I wanted to make a career of it. On advice of a seasoned TESOLer, I spent another year there to gain experience and then I went back to the USA to get my MA (Applied Ling, TESOL emphasis). I'm finished with it now and am looking for my next stint abroad. I've been looking at jobs and congratulating myself on not being a total newbie..until now...

The job in Prague was a real position--I taught 10 90-minute classes per semester at a university in Prague and got myself a few private students. I was given a textbook but I created most of my own materials. I think I came in on the last 'glory days' of accepting BA holders.

The above information is on my resume, so all this is to say, am I basically still going to be considered as having no experience? I was hoping to get a moderately well-paying job so I can pay down my behemoth $90,000 in student loans (BA, MA, and online MBA because I'd like to teach Business English again one day).

Apologies for the long post, but I've seen other responders want newbie posters to be more informative with their situations. Could someone give me advice on how my experience will stack up in Saudi Arabia? I was looking at PNU (bureaucracy and 'enthusiastic' students I have certainly experienced and do not fear...much). Or should I be looking at other places in the Gulf? I've been thinking about Asia too but it seems I could save more in the ME.

Thanks so much in advance. [/i]

[veiledsentiments]

It is not that pre-MA experience is ignored completely. It may help you get a job, but if an advertised positions says MA + 2 or 3 years of experience, they mean AFTER the MA. Will they hire you? Maybe or maybe not. The more desirable the job, the less likely they will accept the pre MA stuff. (because there will be more competition that CAN meet the requirement)

Private students don't count. (I wouldn't even mention them unless they happened to be Arabic speakers) On any application you want to emphasize that you were teaching at university level... Academic English (preferably)... reading and writing being Arabic speakers weak skills. If you can tell them that, your two years might get your CV considered.

But your pay will be lower than someone who meets the criteria exactly.

It kind of makes sense... and actually US universities use the same type of pay scales.

So, send out applications and see what happens. Come back and check out the employers that make any offers.

VS

[SENTINEL33]

I was really concerned, however, to read comments about pre-MA teaching not counting towards job requirement counts. Is this really always the case? That's pretty disheartening.....

I was hoping to get a moderately well-paying job so I can pay down my behemoth $90,000 in student loans (BA, MA, and online MBA because I'd like to teach Business English again one day).
=====================================

Unfortunately for you, you are a prime candidate for one of the military ESL jobs in KSA (KSA=Saudi Arabia). Why? Let me count the ways:

1. They (the military) aren't in the least concerned about "when" you obtained your experience. In other words, your time in Prague would probably "count". (The military aren't restrained by academic rules and regulations as is the case with universities). They just want you to have an MA in TESOL or some such. Couldn't care less about when or where (or even how).

2. It's going to take several years to work down that massive student loan you have. You can actually cut that down to 2 years (if you are determined enough) with one of the military jobs. Anyplace else, you're looking at 5 or more years. (Some of these jobs not only give you a salary, but provide you with clothing and 3 meals a day.....basically, you're "in the military" except you don't have to salute except around contract renewal time....then, anything goes).

3. You're the right age to put up with the daily grind of one of these jobs. Better do it now while you still can. Once you start approaching 40, it's a different kettle of fish.

4. You could probably get hired almost immediately and be in KSA within a couple of months.......why wait till Sept? Plus, they take care of "everything"....in other words, the paperwork you have to be involved with is kept at a minimum.

As I said above, this is unfortunate for you because these jobs are quite "brutal", I would say. When I think back at what I put up with during my time with them........but I could do it then....I certainly couldn't do it now.

Remember that these jobs are not "academic" except very remotely. You'd likely be doing DLI materials (check google if you don't know what that is).

But if you're really out to get rid of that debt, I strongly recommend this way out.

[nomad soul]

[SENTINEL33]

[nomad soul]

[sicklyman]

not sure many guys would go for that username either... esp guys who want to work in Saudi

[nomad soul]

[ChloeJoe]

Thank you for the tips, VS and nomad soul! Yes, after reading the boards I was coming around to accepting the idea. It's just nice to have further advice on the matter. And nomad soul, I'll definitely check out Abdulazziz.

Sentinel, I also appreciate the information...and am happy to provide you with the amusement of a newbie poster posting a newbie post... I'm sure you'll continue to see it.

Yes, the loan amount is large, but at least I've been seeing it coming. For a while now, I've been thinking about paying some of them off via jobs in the ME. I'll keep looking, but I may need to do a couple of years in Asia first.

The MBA is partially for Business English, and it's a long-term career move. I followed the advice of several seasoned TESOLers who teach Business English now. It's another resume enhancement. However, I am done racking up debt now and am focused on finding a good job! I really appreciate all advice!

[D. Merit]

[scot47]

US$90,000 in debt ? And you are going to pay that off in a job earning less than $4,000 a month ? Wow !

[ChloeJoe]

Merit: Haha..well at the moment I could go either way.

Scot: Yep. I've decided to consider it a challenge. I'm single, frugal and a workaholic. The more someone says something will be hard, the more I want to try it.

Bring it on.

[cultofpersonality]

She's gotta start from somewhere, lol

90,000 dollars...Americans really have to spend a lot on education! I thought we had it bad in the UK...obviously not!

Some places care about pre-MA experience and some don't.

[SENTINEL33]

[veiledsentiments]

She has a BA and an MA and an MBA.

Lots of us change horses in the middle of the stream and end up taking more than 4 years to finish the first one. Few HS grads are practical enough to do it the way you recommend - the whole idea for most of them is leave home and have the full experience. (and have a car, iPhone, and all the other frills )

My MA was free under a Fellowship, but when I returned to the US, I was considering a second MA from the University of Maryland in 2002... until I added up the numbers and found that it would cost me $25K plus books. At my age, that wasn't financially feasible.

Sadly, I don't think our poster's experience is unusual financially speaking.

VS