Job Discussion Forums

[waunwenner]

Hello,

I'm interested in teaching adults in Doha and would appreciate any advice you could offer me.

I'm a 30 year old (male) CELTA qualified teacher from the UK with about 6 years experience of teaching adults including 3 years at a Korean university. My current job is in New Zealand at a school which has recently been voted the best in the Southern Hemisphere and I absolutely love it...however....

My girlfriend works for Qatar Airways in Doha and I've decided to join her next year sometime. As long as I'm teaching adults in a reasonably professional, well-resourced school I'll probably be happy. From what I've read I take it that accommodation/flights and a reasonable income can be expected...is this accurate in your view?

Any specific recommendations for schools would be particularly appreciated but like I say, any help would be great. From what I've read about the Middle East it seems like a mixed bag regarding the quality of employers so a bit of inside info would be ideal.

Cheers for your help in advance,
Scott

[lukey]

You work at one of the best schools in the southern hemisphere and you love your job?My advice is to stay there. - unless you need the money don't come to qatar - i think you will be disappointed with jobs here - working for employers in the Gulf is very difficult. Maybe you girlfriend could get a job with New Zealand airways? I hear Qatar Airways is difficult to work for also, i knew a couple of "runners" who fled that outfit.

[waunwenner]

Thanks Lukey.

But I'm definitely coming as I've already promised her so I could really do with a bit of advice on schools.

I'm only going to be there from March until December, when her contract finishes with Qatar Airways so I'm not bothered as long as the school isn't pure evil and I'm teaching adults.

She loves her job with Qatar Airways, by the way, so don't assume that it's a bad employer. Some people are just never happy and employees can often be as bad as employers.

Anyway, thanks again for the comment, it's more than the other 109 people who've read my post managed to do, but any more specific advice would be more appreciated. I say this as someone who hated Korea after a year of teaching there but after getting better jobs and employers I started to realise that there are excellent jobs in every country if you know where to find them. That's why I'm posting this message.

Cheers,
Scott

[Mine's a pint]

Well now the count is up to 167 and there still isn't much that has been said. I have to admit I'm at a loss. So why respond? Because I think most ELTs in Doha work at colleges or universities on extended contracts of a few years. There is a British Council and a Berlitz, but I'm not too sure about the possibility of just going into the country to work for six months then leave again. I don't think you'd get hired for that.

The paperwork to get into the country once successfully interviewed and offered a job takes some time (health, security check, etc. etc.), but your qualifications would probably limit you to conversation schools - of which I have no knowledge in that particular location.

Then there's the bit about coming to be with your girlfriend. Unmarried couples are not the thing in the ME. You'd need to keep that private.

I think your aspirations are a little too casual for coming to that part of the world, but then that's perhaps because I've never encountered anyone who's doing, done or attempted to do it that way before.

[scot47]

What IS the penalty for cohabitation and immorality ?

[johnslat]

Dear scot47,
All too often - marriage and parenthood.
Regards,
John

[waunwenner]

I don't want to live with her- she's got her own apartment and I'll get mine.

Immorality - well....define that...

[wilberforce]

.