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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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 Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:15 am Post subject: |
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"Could be an issue, especially for direct-hire, university positions if it's obvious to the employer that your master's degree included online coursework. If it's not brought up during the interview, it's likely to be asked on the employment application."
I'd much rather be on the "up and up." But in my case, only 10% of my degree will have been done online. Will this totally disqualify me from Uni jobs in the Kingdom? And how about decent contracting companies? There must be ex-pats who have been in the Kingdom their entire careers while also completing some online work?
Insofar as quality of companies . . . I've heard from some ex pats working in pretty high paying jobs, good compounds, reliable pay . . . I'm hoping to meet some people out there who are in the know about such places. If you get me on "your team . . ." you wont regret it  |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:08 am Post subject: |
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| EricinAsia wrote: |
| I'd much rather be on the "up and up." But in my case, only 10% of my degree will have been done online. Will this totally disqualify me from Uni jobs in the Kingdom? And how about decent contracting companies? There must be ex-pats who have been in the Kingdom their entire careers while also completing some online work? |
Frankly, it's up to the employer to either reject or accept your degree. Some may have no qualms about it being a hybrid (a combo of both distance/online and on campus coursework), while others give it a big no. Private universities tend to be more flexible compared to government unis, and I'm sure it helps to have some highly-desirable skillset that makes employers salivate. Anyway, these degree requirements can change---perhaps by the time you finish your degree it will no longer be an issue. But as I said, you won't know unless you apply.
As for those completing their degrees while working in the Kingdom, yes, there are teachers (including some forum members) who did their studies online or who are presently working on a degree program via distance learning. However, they were already hired versus someone trying to get a position while outside KSA.
| and wrote: |
Insofar as quality of companies . . . I've heard from some ex pats working in pretty high paying jobs, good compounds, reliable pay . . . I'm hoping to meet some people out there who are in the know about such places.
If you get me on "your team . . ." you wont regret it |
Then keep connected with those expats you're hearing from since they seem to be a source of first-hand info about those plum employers who offer good compound living, high pay, and such. Hmm... there may be a few places that still fit that criteria... But if you hope to be directly referred to employers by members on these forums (AKA professional contacts), I'd say don't hold your breath unless you personally know someone either working or who as worked in the Kingdom. The "system" works differently here in Saudi Arabia. And then there's the issue of physically and mentally managing life and work in an ultra-conservative culture.
Use these forums and the Internet to research employers and teaching situations that fit your personality as well as your specific needs and goals (and that will accept your MA). Research is key. That's how many of us started our job hunt and ultimately, applied and got hired.
By the way, you mentioned your undergrad is in social studies education and that you have a k-12 ESL endorsement from the US. To date, what have you specifically taught in both the US and Korea? What has your teaching experience entailed? |
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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:35 am Post subject: |
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My teaching background?
Licensed 5-12 Social Studies (need to renew . . . left the field after seeing the realities of urban teaching. Worked for an alternative school for several years. Left on poor terms when new management came in. Not very professional by either party.
3.5 years teaching Adult ESL in States. Taught all levels.
k-12 ESL as part of MA. Need to renew (this spring).
2 years adult teaching at private center here in Korea. Taught all levels.
2 years teaching at a Korean Uni. Have taught all levels.
Have now taught several English camps for upper elementary and middle school students.
Remain a poor speller and proofreader to date. Considered becoming a Special Ed teacher in the states for "Specific Learning Disabilities" (dyslexia, spelling and math issues). Found out the field is a nightmare insofar as constant paperwork and challenging children.
There's really a few settings I'd consider teaching in in the States . . . so called "sheltered ESL" in the schools. Usually more work than EFL in that there are higher standards to follow (state and national curriculums) and more paperwork generally. Just read an article about a riot at my old high school between a large immigrant population and "American" kids. Don't want to go back. |
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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| 120 Hour TEFL Cert at the grad level as well |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I am not sure I understand "Professional Contacts". Do you mean you want a job ? |
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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| I am not sure I understand "Professional Contacts". Do you mean you want a job ? |
Yes and no. There are people, I'm sure, who are part of the EFL ex pat community who may or may not have direct lines of jobs. I guess I'm attempting to network for jobs and future associates in the region. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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| EricinAsia wrote: |
| 3.5 years teaching Adult ESL in States. Taught all levels. |
Was that experience 1) at a community/conversation English language environment (with immigrants/newcomers); or 2) at a US university ESL program that preps foreign students for the TOEFL and university studies?
| and wrote: |
k-12 ESL as part of MA. Need to renew (this spring).
Have now taught several English camps for upper elementary and middle school students. |
Having an ESL endorsement is a plus, especially for teaching kids. However, your lack of teaching experience in a k-12 public school setting is also why teachaway said you didn't qualify for their Mid East positions. Additionally, teaching youngsters in English camps won't impress employers requiring teaching experience at the tertiary/adult level.
| and wrote: |
2 years adult teaching at private center here in Korea. Taught all levels.
2 years teaching at a Korean Uni. Have taught all levels. |
But what specifically did/do you teach? Conversation English? Writing? Intensive English? ESP? (The latter three are what university employers in the Mid East want to see.)
When you apply for positions in the Mid East, you'll need to be clear on your CV/resume about what your teaching experience entailed. If employers are having to guess about what you did/do, then your application risks being quickly deleted. |
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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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| and wrote: |
2 years adult teaching at private center here in Korea. Taught all levels.
2 years teaching at a Korean Uni. Have taught all levels. |
But what specifically did/do you teach? Conversation English? Writing? Intensive English? ESP? (The latter three are what university employers in the Mid East want to see.)
When you apply for positions in the Mid East, you'll need to be clear on your CV/resume about what your teaching experience entailed. If employers are having to guess about what you did/do, then your application risks being quickly deleted.[/quote]
Thanks for the feedback. On A CV I'd be a lot more specific.
FYI
3.5 years teaching immigrants at a community center ran by a school district.
Taught high beginner to advanced communication.
Intermediate to advanced writing.
Intermediate to advanced listening (my weak area as of now)
Public speaking, debate and presentation classes.
Have not taught graduate students as of yet.
At the adult school in Korea I taught communication (false beginner to high advanced)
Business English (not the best of curriculum, but I taught it).
Writing . . . listening . . . I'd need to think about the rest.
Again, I'd have a better "sounding" CV with decent cover letters when it's time to look. |
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abayababy
Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 109
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I think you are way too concerned about the 10% online degree. If the university is an accredited, brick and mortar institution, your diploma won't mention anything about online or distance and it will pass the "degree verify" process, no matter what percentage was completed online. You shouldn't even mention the online component unless you want to talk yourself out of a job. |
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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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| abayababy wrote: |
| I think you are way too concerned about the 10% online degree. If the university is an accredited, brick and mortar institution, your diploma won't mention anything about online or distance and it will pass the "degree verify" process, no matter what percentage was completed online. You shouldn't even mention the online component unless you want to talk yourself out of a job. |
Thanks for the feedback. I think it might show on my transcript that some of the classes are "online." But certainly a brick and mortor institution. |
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abayababy
Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 109
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| The university that hires you may not even look at your transcripts or ask you to present them. When you apply for your employment visa to Saudi from your home country, that is when you have to send in your transcripts. The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission will determine if your credentials are adequate, and frankly, I believe they just want the transcripts as further proof of degree completion in addition to the diploma. At least that is the process for government universities. It may be different for private ones. |
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EricinAsia
Joined: 06 Jan 2013
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:09 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the insight. Now I'm just wondering how much a physical will cost me back in the US. I wonder, how long are those physicals good for? Do a need one for each new job I apply to? Or, will I just need one . . . I'm sure it's on one of these threads someplace.
Cheers |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| EricinAsia wrote: |
| Now I'm just wondering how much a physical will cost me back in the US. I wonder, how long are those physicals good for? Do a need one for each new job I apply to? Or, will I just need one. . . I'm sure it's on one of these threads someplace. |
Whoa! You're jumping ahead of yourself; the visa process doesn't start until you've actually accepted a written job offer. (First, you have to apply to see if they'll take your quals.) Moreover, the type of visa---employment visa versus business visit visa---depends on the employer/sponsor. For example, an employment visa is typical for direct-hire positions; whereas, numerous companies contracting with universities and other such entities prefer business visit visas for the teachers they bring over. The employment visa process involves a med exam and lab tests (valid for 90 days only), a criminal background report, and degree authentication; however the business visit visa application process does not which is why it's quicker to obtain. You can read about both visa types within this forum. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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| i am still unable to comprehend "Professional Contacts" and what purpose these might serve. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| i am still unable to comprehend "Professional Contacts" and what purpose these might serve. |
My understanding is that the OP wants to connect to others on this forum who can directly or indirectly refer him to hiring managers---in other words, help him get a job. For example, you teach at Wasta University* and are aware they're looking to hire a dozen more teachers. (Wasta U. is known for its great pay and employee benefits including a villa on a compound, free utilities and Internet, lovely expat neighbors, etc.) You would give the uni's recruiter the OP's name and contact info as a potential candidate for one of the teaching spots and voila! he's hired.
The problem is that we don't know the OP professionally or personally nor have a clear sense of his qualifications as well as whether he can handle the job and/or living in conservative KSA. Frankly, networking at yearly conferences like TESOL Arabia and TESOL Int'l would get him the connections he's looking for. But he'd have to do some serious traveling in order to attend either event.
*Disclaimer: Wasta University is fictitious. Please don't ask if they're hiring.  |
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