| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
ejvande
Joined: 19 Apr 2013
Posts: 7
|
 Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:48 am Post subject: Question about Saudi Arabia |
 |
|
Hi all,
I'll be graduating from college in May of 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in English studies, and I'll have my TESOL certification (which I'll be getting online outside of school) by that time as well. I'd love to teach in Saudi Arabia for a year once I graduate because I've always wanted to experience that culture, and I want to get my ESL feet wet. Most of the job postings have fairly high degree and experience requirements, but I was wondering if I'd potentially be able to land a position even though I don't have experience. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks for the help! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Before the ME experts get here, just a note about online certs. They're not accepted in many parts of the world, because they don't include an element of supervised practice teaching with feedback on how you've done by experienced teachers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 12:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| ejvande wrote: |
| I'll be graduating from college in May of 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in English studies, and I'll have my TESOL certification (which I'll be getting online outside of school) by that time as well. I'd love to teach in Saudi Arabia for a year once I graduate because I've always wanted to experience that culture, and I want to get my ESL feet wet. Most of the job postings have fairly high degree and experience requirements, but I was wondering if I'd potentially be able to land a position even though I don't have experience. Any thoughts? Suggestions? |
Frankly, Saudi Arabia is not the country to head to as a TEFL newbie, especially if your goal is to "experience the culture" and "get your feet wet" as a new teacher. But that aside, the bigger issue will be your lack of both experience as well as a TEFL cert that's acceptable to employers in this region (e.g., a CELTA, SIT TESOL, Trinity CertTESOL, or even a generic, 120-hour onsite TEFL course that included supervised practice teaching with real students). Seriously, with such low qualifications, your only option will be employment with a sketchy contracting company, if at all. Plenty about these outfits on the Saudi forum. I doubt that's the kind of cultural and first-time teaching experience you're seeking.
You asked about suggestions... Generally, newbies go to Asia (e.g., Korea) for their first teaching job. Once they've built up a few years of experience, they head to the Kingdom. Even then, that might entail getting a TEFL-related MA as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Generally speaking, Middle East employers do NOT recognize online certs. In some countries in this part of the world, even online MAs are not recognized.
I agree with Nomad... this is not the part of the world for newbies to the field or to overseas teaching. I used to suggest that those who were seriously interesting in experiencing 'Middle Eastern culture' head to Egypt... but with the situation there, I now recommend Morocco.
With your lack of credentials and experience, you could only get the employers that no one wants to teach for... because they are abusive. One doesn't want to be with an abusive employer in a country like Saudi Arabia because it can be difficult to get out if you need to...
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DLIguy
Joined: 29 Jun 2013
Posts: 167
Location: Being led around by the nose...by you-know-who!
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
O.K., you two! You've been standing in front of the Arabian Peninsula ATM long enough! It's time to let untrained newbies at some of that easy money!  
Seriously! Working in Saudi Arabia is like a walk in the park.
Central Park.
During Superstorm Sandy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gulezar
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 483
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:26 am Post subject: Saudi, Male or female version |
|
|
| DLIguy wrote: |
Seriously! Working in Saudi Arabia is like a walk in the park.
Central Park.
During Superstorm Sandy. |
And maybe DLIguy is a guy. Saudi can be tough for anybody, but for a female and perhaps the first time out of country, it would be a real eye-opener. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DLIguy
Joined: 29 Jun 2013
Posts: 167
Location: Being led around by the nose...by you-know-who!
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:45 am Post subject: Re: Saudi, Male or female version |
|
|
| Gulezar wrote: |
| DLIguy wrote: |
Seriously! Working in Saudi Arabia is like a walk in the park.
Central Park.
During Superstorm Sandy. |
And maybe DLIguy is a guy. Saudi can be tough for anybody, but for a female and perhaps the first time out of country, it would be a real eye-opener. |
I second that emotion... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
