Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

Hey Byro,

Don't feel bad - look at how many posts I've made and I still don't know how to make the quote thing work either. I'm sure it's easy, but I just put "quote" marks to cover myself.

Chris

You'll have to just watch this space to see what happens with DDs. Right now if you are after one of the tertiary jobs, there is no problem. Another note for you is that they tend to count experience 'after' the MA, and normally look for 3-5 years after MA for the best paying jobs.

Just be sure that your distance degree is from a legit, recognized university and hopefully, there will be no problem.

VS

[Chris_Crossley]

veiledsentiments wrote:

[veiledsentiments]

Thanks Chris,

But, somehow I think it is just easier to copy, paste and put in quotes. just lazy I guess.

As to the MA+experience, they are rather obsessed with degrees in the ME. The one time they do consider pre-MA experience (though it will not raise your pay - only help your being considered) is if you have direct ME or experience with Arabic speakers. Other experience that can be helpful is direct experience in Academic English (not test prep).

Good Luck

VS

[Chris_Crossley]

veiledsentiments wrote:

[Bindair Dundat]

[veiledsentiments]

Chris,

The Gulf job market for the highest paying jobs is naturally VERY competitive. And, of course, there is the question of what 'you' consider 'high-paying.' From what I hear salaries and benefits in China are mostly very low.

To be realistic, your first job in the Emirates will certainly not be one of the plums. You will find that most Middle East teachers are older (35-60), married, and have been in the field for years. That is your competition.

But, why restrict yourself to the UAE? You may even want to look at some of the other countries like Oman to get Middle East experience. You need to get your foot in the door, and manage to avoid the really bad places. Getting that first job when you have a freshly minted MA can be difficult.

Then once your experience matches the majority of applicants, you can move up to the best paying jobs. Just like in any field.

VS

[Chris_Crossley]

veiledsentiments wrote:

[veiledsentiments]

Chris,

My crystal ball as to the employment situation three years from now is a bit cloudy, but assuming the world doesn't get even worse, I would think it would be just as I said.

You can probably get a job, but also probably not at your first choice --- or maybe not even your second. Like I said, don't restrict yourself to just the Emirates, but look at the whole Gulf area, your minimum salary should be in the US$2000-2500 range plus free furnished housing, tickets for the family, health care, and 6-8 weeks paid vacation plus holidays.

So, get that MA and more experience - your age and family status will count in your favor, and keep reading here to get familiar with the names and reputations of the various institutions so that you know which you want to apply to. Not much more that you can do related to your situation three years from now.

VS

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

I'd avoid distance degrees.

sheet, they can be done on-campus in about 8 months or so nowadays if you don't do a thesis.

8 courses for an M.A. TESOL in Australia - 4 courses a semester.

don't risk all that time, emotion and money on a degree that may not be recognized in certain countries.

[Chris_Crossley]

Rice Paddy Daddy wrote:

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Crossley,

Your comments are not untrue.

However, dropping $15,000 or even more on tuition to have a degree that is only accepted by some governments and institutions doesn't sound so great to me and, I imgaine a lot of other people.

Everyone's life circumstances are different and you can only do what you can do.

I'm still trying to determine which M.E. countries do not recognize degrees obtained by distance.

[well-travelled]

The Ministry of Education in UAE does not recognise distance MAs, but the Ministry of Higher Education does (hence the discrepancy between, say, MLI and UAEU).

Kuwait University is another body that does not recognise them - but since the latter only pays about GBP16,000 per year and Kuwait is hardly the most prepossessing location to live in, they can keep it.

It's been said before on Dave's, but it bears repeating: Distance MAs have as much validity - and I would argue greater validity - than non-distant MAs - especially if we are talking about /b]APPLIED linguistics. It means you can relate theory to practice and vice-versa at the chalk-face as you work your way through the various modules. Your immediate work situation provides a focus for action research etc..

It's also hard work; mine took two to three years in total.

The failure of certain Middle Eastern bodies to acknowledge the above is more a reflection of their own ignorance than on the lack of validity of distance degrees per se.

well-travelled

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Well-travelled,

Thanks - a lot of hard-workng people save up a lot of money and spend a few years of their lives earning these distance degrees only to find out that the degrees are not recognized by some governments/institutions.

Taiwan is another country which does not recognize degrees obtained by distance (see Taiwan forum for more on this subject and Scott Sommers interpretation of the situation in Taiwan).

Korean universities have also reportedly been biased against distance M.A. degrees (see Ryst Helmet's posts on the matter on the Korean forum).

Again, it's probably more a reflection of ignorance by those who draft such policies which fail to recognize distance degrees.

[well-travelled]

Rice Paddy Daddy -

Thanks. I was unaware of the situation in Taiwan & Korea. Interesting that the phenomenon is so wide-spread.

Why so many regard distance MAs as Mickey Mouse degrees is hard for me to understand. I suppose there is the notion that distance MAs can be faked more easily than non-distance degrees, but 'real' distance MAs can easily be verified by checking with the claimed issuing institution. And there's no reason why non-distance MAs can't be forged either. I get daily Spam emails offering me degree certificates!!

well-travelled

[Rice Paddy Daddy]