Job Discussion Forums

[aot531]

Hi... I posted this a little earlier on the Saudi Arabia forum (because that's where I'm most interested in going), but it really is kind of a general question, so...


I'm wondering if anyone here can give me some advice on my particular situation...

38 y/o female, American, native English speaker, single

BA in "English and American Literature and Language" from Harvard

MD with a few years of residency (didn't finish residency and not currently practicing); also some post-doctoral laboratory research experience with a few publications

100-hour onsite TESL/TESOL certificate course

2.5 years teaching ESL in Korea (I gather experience in Korea is generally worthless, and mine was to elementary and middle school kids, but I am able to say I was Head Teacher at one school and did a lot of curriculum development at the other school... better than nothing, right?)

Also a few years of experience doing medical/scientific editing

So... are these credentials worth anything in Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere in the ME? I do have a desperate need for money, but I also really do want to experience living in the region.

I'm wondering if there's some way I can use the medical/scientific background... perhaps teaching pre-med students in a prep-year program? Anyone know about anything like that? Or anything involving students at a more advanced medical/scientific level that I might be qualified for?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[nomad soul]

As stated in your other thread, an MD has nothing to do with teaching English. Plus, employers are likely to scratch their heads wondering why you didn't continue in such a "prestigious" career. That doesn't bode well for you if you're trying to make a favorable impression.

Focus on presenting/promoting your relevant qualifications when applying for TEFL jobs. However, be aware your quals are too minimal for most university positions in the Gulf, with the exception of Saudi Arabia. And even those Saudi jobs aren't likely to be with the better direct-hire situations. In other words, you can probably get a position via a contracting company versus directly with a university.

[aot531]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, nomad soul.

What you said agrees with my feeling about my qualifications -- probably good enough for one of the Saudi contracting companies, but not much else in the Gulf at this point. That's fine for now, I think.

[veiledsentiments]

Did your onsite ESL cert have supervised teaching of real students?

If not, what I see is your lack of credentials and experience. A university would see it as no cert... no related MA in EFL... and no experience teaching adults.

That said, I would take a look at the Gulf universities that have medical programs. I hit wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_schools_in_the_Middle_East

Some of the smaller private colleges like Oman Medical College might be interested in your medical background. (they are affiliated with a West Virginia university and have a nice location in Muscat... which would be much more pleasant than anywhere in Saudi Arabia... less pay, of course)

If only you had a related MA (yes I know... more education loans... ugh), I think your medical background could become a real plus in one of the bigger Gulf universities like SQU in Oman or Kuwait University or United Arab Emirates University... at your age, it might be worth considering. (search US universities for a teaching Fellowship or Assistant-ship program)

VS

[aot531]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice, veiledsentiments.

Sadly, the ESL cert only involved teaching practice with each other, not anything with real students. (I did actually teach real adult students in the US, but didn't mention it before, cause it was only for about 3 months.)

I will check out the Gulf universities you mention -- thanks again!

I wish I could do an MA, but I really can't see any way I can take on more loans right now... maybe when I've paid off some of my current debt

[veiledsentiments]