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habasambi
Joined: 30 Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Location: north of somewhere
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 Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 5:09 pm Post subject: What comes first? |
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Hi all,
I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts for the past few weeks. After all the informaiton I've absorbed I've got a question of my own.
I'm going to begin a TEFl/ TESOL certification class in 2 days and I've got 3 weeks to complete it along with some more hours in addition.
Qualifications: Bachelors degree unrelated to English, and teaching experience 1-2 years broken unrelated to Engish again.
I do understand it would be difficult to find employment in Saudi with my qualifications thus far but not impossible.
My question is whether or not since its coming to the end of Spring I should begin to apply now without having completed my TEFL certification letting recruiters/employers know that I am in the process strictly for timing purposes or complete certification (within the month) and then apply?
I also would like to add that I am a female Muslim native English speaker would this be in any way helpful to me especially considering part of my interest in this location is to be in a place that is more suited for a Muslim lifestyle, i.e. prayer breaks and hijab/abaya?
Really appreciate your help in advance!
Hanan
Last edited by habasambi on Thu May 01, 2014 5:47 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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Your lack of substantive EFL classroom experience could be a handicap.
What TESOL certification are you doing ?
Some employers will take advantage of the fact that you wish to come to KSA for reasons of faith. They will figure that they can give you a lousyt dealk and you will still come. |
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habasambi
Joined: 30 Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Location: north of somewhere
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Its Oxford Seminar TESOL/TESL/TEFL certification.
So don't mention that I am a Muslim?
My name kind of gives it away  |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| habasambi wrote: |
Qualifications: Bachelors degree unrelated to English, and teaching experience 1-2 years broken unrelated to Engish again.
I do understand it would be difficult to find employment in Saudi with my qualifications thus far but not impossible.
My question is whether or not since its coming to the end of Spring I should begin to apply now without having completed my TEFL certification letting recruiters/employers know that I am in the process strictly for timing purposes or complete certification (within the month) and then apply? |
Contracting companies hire year round, so it's best to complete your training before applying in order to show you already meet the requirement of a TEFL cert. By the way, Oxford Seminars' TEFL cert is crap and not well regarded nor does it prepare you to teach. I suggest you fork out more money for a CELTA, which is widely recognized and includes supervised teaching practice with real students. However, even with a newly-minted, top-of-the-line TEFL cert, your unrelated experience and degree put you at the bottom as a complete newbie. That means you'll only attract the attention of those contracting companies that have no qualms lowering the standards solely to get a warm body into the classroom. That said, be aware that many of these companies are sketchy, so if you're dead-set on heading to KSA, do your research and know what you're "stepping" into. Frankly, my advice is to head to Korea first to gain a couple of years of experience, but anyway...
| and wrote: |
| I also would like to add that I am a female Muslim native English speaker would this be in any way helpful to me especially considering part of my interest in this location is to be in a place that is more suited for a Muslim lifestyle, i.e. prayer breaks and hijab/abaya? |
That's one confusing, run-on question/sentence... If I understand you correctly, you're asking if being a female Muslim boosts your chances for employment. The answer is no considering there are plenty of non-Muslims teaching in the Kingdom and adjusting to the culture and rules. For example, I'm not Muslim and wore both a hijab and abaya without giving it a thought. Plus, from an employer's perspective, religion has no bearing on the person's ability to teach English. |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| I really think there should be a sticky on ALL of the forums on this site that points out that having the words Oxford/Cambridge.London/Winchester etc on a course certificate doesn't mean it's REAL! |
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cultofpersonality
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 94
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 2:45 am Post subject: |
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| Some of these contracting companies may take you on...best thing is to do a CELTA as mentioned by nomad soul. Tefl certificate...I'm sure someone like Al kale, ed ex etc will take you on...I wouldn't wish edex on my worst enemy though. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 3:25 am Post subject: Re: What comes first? |
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| habasambi wrote: |
Hi all,
I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts for the past few weeks. After all the informaiton I've absorbed I've got a question of my own.
I'm going to begin a TEFl/ TESOL certification class in 2 days and I've got 3 weeks to complete it along with some more hours in addition.
Qualifications: Bachelors degree unrelated to English, and teaching experience 1-2 years broken unrelated to Engish again.
I do understand it would be difficult to find employment in Saudi with my qualifications thus far but not impossible.
My question is whether or not since its coming to the end of Spring I should begin to apply now without having completed my TEFL certification letting recruiters/employers know that I am in the process strictly for timing purposes or complete certification (within the month) and then apply?
I also would like to add that I am a female Muslim native English speaker would this be in any way helpful to me especially considering part of my interest in this location is to be in a place that is more suited for a Muslim lifestyle, i.e. prayer breaks and hijab/abaya?
Really appreciate your help in advance!
Hanan |
Seems like you have already committed to the 3 week certification(?) course...unfortunately, these (quick fix)short courses do not give you much leverage as mentioned by others...you would be better off in the long run to take a course that is widely recognized such as a CELTA.
Finding a decent KSA job hinges on solid credentials and years of related experience. If you are thinking long term then better to fork out the cash to get properly qualified now rather than suffer the indignities of working for cowboy outfits that often just drag you down....every decision you make should take you closer to your goal, not further away from it...if you are young(under 40...?) then you have more time to develop a long term strategy that will get you where you want to go...think carefully and as Nomad Soul suggests get some solid related experience in Asia first before considering KSA.
As an expatriate Muslim you will be one of millions, so do not think that will be much of a boost on your CV. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 8:17 am Post subject: |
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You cannot conceal the fact that you are a Muslim. Just do not tell employers that you are desperate to go and live near Mecca and Medina.
You will probably have to go with a contractor because of your lack of experience . Try to avoid the worst ones.
Prepare to be shocked by the reality of life in the Heartland of Islam. |
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