Job Discussion Forums

[eihpos]

Hello,

I am looking into positions in The UAE, Qatar and Oman for next year. I am interested in working in a university or college and know that these positions generally require a good deal of experience and a relevant MA. I would love to do the MA TESOL but simply can't afford it. However, I do hold an MA in English Literature which I enrolled on, somewhat hastily, a few years ago (I had just come back from Korea and had more money than sense!)

I'm just wondering if this MA would be of any use to me in applying for positions in these areas.I know that I could probably find a position in Saudi quite easily but I really don't want to go there!

Advice would be great!

[nomad soul]

A degree in English literature (versus one in English Language & Literature) isn't considered relevant to English language teaching and therefore, isn't likely to impress employers in this region. If you go to the major UAE univeristy websites and look at the academic profiles of their English language instructors, you'll be hard-pressed to find any with an English lit degree.

I also recall seeing a TEFL job posting (for Saudi Arabia) that explicitly stated English lit degrees were not acceptable. Plus, there's this thread in the Oman forum: "Related Degree Rules" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=97940). Anyway, you'd be competing against MA holders with relevant degrees. However, your chances for employment in this region might improve if you got a Delta (a CELTA isn't likely to be enough).