Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

Obviously you have entered this thread late, and have no idea what her original post looked like. She edited and completely re-wrote it. No one suggested that perfect grammar or punctuation is required since even native speakers make plenty of errors. I taught Arabic speakers writing for many years, and I gave her an honest assessment of her original posting. There was barely a correct grammatical sentence in the original, at least a third of the words were misspelled, random capital letter usage (in the middle of words... found that odd) and almost no punctuation at all. (you may note that Spicegirl suggested that it might be a troll..) I suspect that she may be weak at keyboarding.

She accepted my criticism gracefully and corrected it. She showed that she knows the correct usage. If you put a post on a board asking for employment in English teaching, you would want to put your best foot forward. Lots of us forget that proofreading is the most important part of writing.

VS

[ps2_machine]

"i would like anyone with information about a job/volunteer work in kuwait " (She said)

eventually ....
"I really can't help you out with schools. I have always worked university level and not having children myself - and not being interested at all in teaching lower levels, I have paid no attention. I know that the students in the lower grades are a handful and you need to know what you are doing.

Your best chances are using family contacts to learn about the various schools - which are good to work for and which are bad. When it comes to teaching in the Middle East, wasta is important and useful. " (You said)


I don't know why you think I came into this thread late. She ought to start looking for something herself.

Whether I am late or whatever, how was your first teaching experience?

[veiledsentiments]

Duh... I answered her with at least more information/advice than anyone else did...

...don't see you adding anything helpful here for her or are you just trolling?

VS

[Sekhmet]

At the risk of being flamed for my mis-information (again), I thought it was almost mandatory to have AT LEAST a BA before coming to the Middle East. I have also heard (although not from any schools), that an MA is the only way to get any sort of teaching job in some parts... Am I right?? Every job I have applied for in Egypt (and a couple in Saudi and Jordan) have asked for transcripts of my degree.
Just a thought.....

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Sekhmet,

Yes, the vast majority of jobs require a degree. But, some of the smaller elementary and secondary schools may consider a woman like this who has family ties in the country. It would not be a high paying job, but she seems to want to contribute in some way, and in her situation, she may be able to find something. I believe that she is also willing to volunteer.

VS

[spicegirl]

I still suspect that all might not be what it seems to be with the OP. As VS says, her original post was edited (note the use of the passive), and the seemingly indiscriminate use of capitals strewn randomly throughout the original message strongly resembles what some of my less able students produce when writing by hand. This rarely occurs when they submit typed work. The OP's most recent post contains basic errors which could, at a stretch, be attributed to a lack of keyboarding skills.

As to whether teachers know perfect grammar and punctuation when they begin teaching .... probably not, and nor do we always after teaching for many years. However, we should be able to identify our students' errors. This would mean that we should also be able to identify our own errors. If this lady really exists, then I would suggest she might like to begin with teaching oral skills to young children, or as a classroom assistant in a primary school. If she has roots in the country, then as VS suggests she may have some contacts who could help her to get this kind of job.

Personally, I'd be rather miffed to find someone with this level of English teaching side by side with me, and earning the same salary as I do. I have colleagues who are Arabic first-language speakers, and their knowledge of English grammar and punctuation is extensive and accurate. The OP's language seems typical of someone who has learned English aurally, but has little formal education addressing her written skills. I still find it difficult to believe that this isn't a wind-up.

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Spicegirl

I must say that I thought at first it might be a troll, but I think that she probably learned her 'academic' English later in life and appears to have many of the usual fossilized errors that seem to come from too many English classes in Middle Eastern countries. They do tend to skip the writing part, tell the students spelling doesn't matter, and never seem to even touch on capitalization and punctuation. (though in all my years I had never seen such quite random capitalization... which was what made me suspicious...)

Assuming that she is sincere, she has also now learned that when you put your writing in front of native speakers, they can be rather blunt, and learning to proofread is a must to keep from embarrassing oneself. A good skill for the job hunter in any field.

VS

[rebuilding_a_woman]

Thanks all for replying, I came to Canada with no knowledge of any English words spoken or wrighten. As i came at a young age and the younger the easier it is to learn and pick up words.


My first thread I have written an unprofessional post and I have edited it.
( Because I was used to internet language)


I am starting volunteer work in a Catholic Public School in Ottawa, hopefully I well gain experience that will help me in my job hunt in Kuwait.


Thanks

[dmb]

Quick!! Hit the edit button before they attack again.

[ps2_machine]

wait for him, wait for him ............

[veiledsentiments]

Good idea, rebuilding a woman,

Volunteering is how I started out in ESL too. Good Luck!

VS

[rebuilding_a_woman]

dmb >>> hehehehe thanks


veiledsentiments>> Thanks hon,