Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Breaking into the Middle East > B.S. w/Celta +tutor exp
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Oman
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Argofoto



Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 6:05 pm    Post subject: Breaking into the Middle East > B.S. w/Celta +tutor exp Reply with quote

Hi, I am considering breaking into the ME as opposed to starting in Korea. The more I read about the situation there now, I no longer see it as a good step to start as before.

I have a B.S. in Marine Business and Humanities, as I went to a maritime academy, and have been volunteer tutoring one on one with local immigrants for the past year and a half.

My plan is to change careers 2 years from now. I know that is a long stretch, but by then I will have paid my college debt and have saved around 6K to 10K USD.

Ideally I would like to take the CELTA in the Middle East, then with that go to Oman, and then if all goes as well, take a MA in TESOL. I'm not sure if a background in English is required, as I've seen some local MA TESOL programs in my area not saying such (just a handful of extra courses at the start, if that).

So my question is would someone with a CELTA and 3 to 4 years tutoring English (with letters of recommendation) and a B.S. degree make it in Oman?

I don't think having the Humanities minor will count for much...

(If the above doesn't work, I guess I would have to go for the local MA night school program, but then I would be heavily in debt going into the ME :/ )
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TATI does a lot of hiring for Oman. Based on their recent job posting, your qualifications (unrelated degree and lack of classroom teaching experience) will be an issue.

Quote:
Education:
MA/M.Ed (English/Applied Linguistics/TEFL/TESOL)
(or)
BA English + Post Graduate Diploma in EFL/ESL
(or)
B.Ed (4 years program in English/Applied Linguistic/TEFL/TESOL)

Work Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years post degree in the field of ELT in College/University/ or in Polytechnic
Experience in Smart class, Multi-media and Self Access teaching.

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=33455
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 3:12 am    Post subject: Re: Breaking into the Middle East > B.S. w/Celta +tutor e Reply with quote

Argofoto wrote:
(If the above doesn't work, I guess I would have to go for the local MA night school program, but then I would be heavily in debt going into the ME :/ )

Your (unrelated) degree and no experience excludes you from nearly all Gulf jobs. Tutoring with or without letters of recommendation is not considered. After all, they are hiring you to teach a classroom full of students.

So, take your own advice and use the next couple years to finish the MA on campus. Even then you will encounter some problems as employers want to see 1-3 years of experience AFTER the completion of the degree. That first job is usually hard to find.

You will have more of a chance to get more quickly to a pay level that will allow you to pay off those education loans with an MA in hand.

VS
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
omanoman



Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

related degrees matter only for non-native passports. The letters are the final hurdle and must be from an employer, letterhead, signed and stamped so the tutoring, as Vs said, will not be considered 'full-time' employment experience.

2 years minimum required
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 7:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, the requirements of the ministry are pretty clear regarding the degree-having a UK, US, Australian, Canadian passport makes no difference-degree must be English Language or Literature related. For example, an American with a Science related PHD would not be considered for one of the MOM or MOHE colleges by either ministry or recruitment agency-for the position of English teacher. And, quite frankly, why would they apply in the first place? Now-'faking' qualifications and/or experience is another matter....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MuscatGary



Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tazz wrote:
No, the requirements of the ministry are pretty clear regarding the degree-having a UK, US, Australian, Canadian passport makes no difference-degree must be English Language or Literature related. For example, an American with a Science related PHD would not be considered for one of the MOM or MOHE colleges by either ministry or recruitment agency-for the position of English teacher. And, quite frankly, why would they apply in the first place? Now-'faking' qualifications and/or experience is another matter....


MOHE accepted me with a BSc in Psychology, a Masters in Educational Technology and a CELTA. I had a beer with one of the MoM guys who is responsible for managing the recruitment of English teachers for the HCT's the other night and he said they are desperate....When they are desperate the rules can be bent!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
omanoman



Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Min of Manpower and Min of higher Ed have different requirements. Manpower waives the English related degree stipulation for native speakers.

Of course, the goalposts move back and forth a fair bit around here.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

omanoman wrote:
Of course, the goalposts move back and forth a fair bit around here.

He said with a wink... LOL

VS
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Sleepwalker



Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 454
Location: Reading the screen

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 4:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try the Maritime College
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Argofoto



Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tips! So I really do need that MA before I go. :/ unless the maritime college is hiring Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

With regards the M.A.-anybody who has been through the Scottish education system will definitely see the benefits in applying here.... Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MuscatGary



Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tazz wrote:
With regards the M.A.-anybody who has been through the Scottish education system will definitely see the benefits in applying here.... Wink


Yep, a mate of mine found that out! Mind you he had some problems explaining how he had a Masters but no Bachelors....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sleepwalker wrote:
Try the Maritime College

Does the Maritime College hire teachers with no credentials at all? Neither education, nor experience? Presumably the pay and benefits are very low then.

VS
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Sleepwalker



Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 454
Location: Reading the screen

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Maritime College has a good reputation and pays a reasonable salary.

The first degree mentioned has a maritime connection and the college has hired native speakers before based on wider criteria than a TEFL degree.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Argofoto



Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia

PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Sleepwalker, I guess the best course of action would be send an email with my resume to the Maritime College. After being on the ground, I could work on a M.A. somewhere, maybe even gain some wasta! Knowing my luck though, they will want a MBA or something similar, or a Captain's license (I'm only at 3rd).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Oman All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China