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Argofoto
Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia
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 Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 6:05 pm Post subject: Breaking into the Middle East > B.S. w/Celta +tutor exp |
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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 :/ ) |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 3:12 am Post subject: Re: Breaking into the Middle East > B.S. w/Celta +tutor e |
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| 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 |
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omanoman
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:47 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 7:54 am Post subject: |
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| 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.... |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:08 am Post subject: |
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| 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! |
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omanoman
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:30 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| omanoman wrote: |
| Of course, the goalposts move back and forth a fair bit around here. |
He said with a wink... LOL
VS |
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Sleepwalker
Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 454
Location: Reading the screen
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Try the Maritime College |
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Argofoto
Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:54 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tips! So I really do need that MA before I go. :/ unless the maritime college is hiring  |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:37 am Post subject: |
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With regards the M.A.-anybody who has been through the Scottish education system will definitely see the benefits in applying here....  |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:32 am Post subject: |
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| Tazz wrote: |
| With regards the M.A.-anybody who has been through the Scottish education system will definitely see the benefits in applying here.... |
Yep, a mate of mine found that out! Mind you he had some problems explaining how he had a Masters but no Bachelors.... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| 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 |
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Sleepwalker
Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 454
Location: Reading the screen
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Argofoto
Joined: 28 Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Location: Philadelphia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:25 am Post subject: |
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| 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). |
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