Job Discussion Forums

JohnRambo · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 183

I would like to get some information on trying to land a uni job in the U.A.E.
I'm an American citizen with an M.A. in TESOL and about 2 years of experience in South Korea at a university, and I taught ESL before that at private academies. I also speak English, French, and Arabic. I wasn't sure where to look for the jobs and what my prospects were.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Right now you have about the least that most of the unis want. You would need to match up your experience to their requirements. The unis want someone with Academic English teaching experience... reading/writing is preferably as that is the weak area for Arabic speakers. Naturally stress any experience that you may have with Arabic speaking students.

If you are looking for this coming academic year, now is when they are interviewing and hiring. Check their websites...

VS

teachlife · Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Posts: 11

Dear VS;

I'm currently teaching in the Middle East and planning on doing my masters full time in the UK in 2015. By then I'll have 4 years full time teaching experience. What MA do you recommend specifically for Dubai? Emirates?

Thanks

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Get an MA that will match your future needs. If you plan to continue to teach ESL/EFL around the world, get a related MA: Applied Linguistics or ESL/EFL or TESOL or whatever the institution calls it.

VS

teachlife · Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Posts: 11

Thank You VS,

Matching my future needs: I would like to continue teaching while being able to demand a higher salary!!! Hence the inclination to move to the UAE with an MA. Recently I have looked at some MA's in Education Management. Would you recommend the MA in TESOL/Applied Linguistics or something that qualifies one for managing the department?

Thanks

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Management openings are few... and teaching opportunities are many. (50 to 1? 100 to 1?)

The Gulf in particular is focused on putting their own citizens into management positions. Expat managers tend to be older with extensive management and teaching experience. They are not hiring "entry level management" from outside the country.

Why not try to find a university that offers both... and some of the courses may count towards both. Then get the ESL/EFL MA first and work on the other by distance while you teach. Don't know if that would work, but would perhaps help you move into management eventually.

VS