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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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 Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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| AussieGus wrote: |
What's the reason for that Nomad, out of curiosity?
How come they can afford to be so fussy regarding teachers' credentials and experience when the ME is the most oppressive, inhospitable, intolerant and generally awful region on earth?
You'd think they'd take anyone with a pulse who can string a couple of words together. Ridiculous. |
MONEY. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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How come they can afford to be so fussy regarding teachers' credentials and experience when the ME is the most oppressive, inhospitable, intolerant and generally awful region on earth?
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As MG notes, the same reason you want to go there is why so many highly qualified teachers will go there.
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| AussieGus wrote: |
| nomad soul wrote: |
| Generally, the Mid East is the toughest TEFL market to get into in terms of qualifications and/or the hoops applicants have to jump through in order to meet the requirements. |
What's the reason for that Nomad, out of curiosity?
How come they can afford to be so fussy regarding teachers' credentials and experience when the ME is the most oppressive, inhospitable, intolerant and generally awful region on earth? |
Yet, that didn't deter you from contemplating work in the region and even having your family with you. But really, not everyone feels the way you do, nor do your stereotypes portray an accurate (and fair) picture of the entire MENA. By the way, I've lived just fine in four Mid East countries so far, including Saudi Arabia, and I'm a single female. I've also received hazard pay for one of my teaching contracts, and what you describe above in no way fits that category.
Anyway, those who can't reconcile living in certain cultures---regardless of the country---simply need to look elsewhere to more personally agreeable locations. It's not rocket science. We make adult decisions based on our own levels of likes and dislikes; no one is forced to teach in cultures and physical spaces they deem distasteful.
| and AussieGus wrote: |
| You'd think they'd take anyone with a pulse who can string a couple of words together. Ridiculous. |
That may be the situation where you've taught. But unlike other parts of the world, the Gulf, in particular, doesn't bring native speakers in to teach in private language schools---the majority of English teaching jobs are in university foundation year programs. Plus, the better-paying Gulf uni positions that require a relevant MA and university-level teaching experience typically expect faculty to get involved in activities such as curriculum design, test/quiz creation, focus groups, leading extracurricular student activities, ESP, facilitating in-service teacher workshops, presenting at conferences, mentoring pre-service teachers, and so on. I can't speak for others; however, this has been the case in each of my teaching positions. Therefore, just having a pulse and stringing a couple of words together doesn't cut it. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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Ozgus
Your negativity is going to sink you ! No one is obliged to offer you a job !
Keep pushing that wheelbarrow man !
Last edited by scot47 on Sat Dec 27, 2014 12:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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AussieGus
Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not saying that I fit that stereotype of having a pulse and being able to string a couple of words together by the way. I have a bit more going for me than that but I might as well, however.
When I first went to Korea in 2001 school owners were badgering any westerner in the street to come and work for them. They weren't exactly discerning! You should have seen the creepy, mentally divergent, pedophilic fringe members of the human race they had there. I thought I'd arrived on the set of star wars. They offered $2500 per month and free accommodation. You didn't need to plan for lessons really although the devoted teachers did. Every job I applied for I got!
Needless to say, despite its famous xenophobia, Korea is a FAR more agreeable place to live than anywhere in the ME. I have been to Kuwait once and I thought it resembled hell.
Scot you'd be negative too if you were in my shoes, believe me. I've got blonde hair, blue eyes and I'm a native speaker. Of course I'm entitled to a job in a desert wasteland! |
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AussieGus
Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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The other advantage Korea had back in the day was that they didn't behead young and single foreign educators for violating the local womanhood.
Although I got the distinct impression they would have liked to! |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| AussieGus wrote: |
| Needless to say, despite its famous xenophobia, Korea is a FAR more agreeable place to live than anywhere in the ME. I have been to Kuwait once and I thought it resembled hell. |
I forget... how many ME countries have you lived in? Are you under the odd impression that Kuwait represents all ME countries? That one small city-state sitting on the tip of the Gulf?
There is a very good reason why so many well-qualified 'married with family' teachers have been teaching in places like the UAE, Qatar, and Oman for 10-20 years. It is because there is no way that they could live so well... in such pleasant surroundings... in such a nice home... probably with at the least a maid to do the cleaning... drive a nice car... have two month summer holidays... if they were back home in Chicago, Sidney, Dublin, or London.
| Quote: |
| The other advantage Korea had back in the day was that they didn't behead young and single foreign educators for violating the local womanhood. |
Since I've been involved with the ME (the mid '80s), I haven't heard of one educator being beheaded. First off, ignoring the new fun group up on the Syria/Iraq border, only KSA does any beheadings.
The worst punishment that I have ever heard of for any expat teacher stupid enough to get involved with a local woman was being fired and deported.
VS |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 4:11 am Post subject: |
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| AussieGus wrote: |
I'm not saying that I fit that stereotype of having a pulse and being able to string a couple of words together by the way. I have a bit more going for me than that but I might as well, however.
When I first went to Korea in 2001 school owners were badgering any westerner in the street to come and work for them. They weren't exactly discerning! You should have seen the creepy, mentally divergent, pedophilic fringe members of the human race they had there. I thought I'd arrived on the set of star wars. They offered $2500 per month and free accommodation. You didn't need to plan for lessons really although the devoted teachers did. Every job I applied for I got!
Needless to say, despite its famous xenophobia, Korea is a FAR more agreeable place to live than anywhere in the ME. I have been to Kuwait once and I thought it resembled hell.
I've got blonde hair, blue eyes and I'm a native speaker. Of course I'm entitled to a job in a desert wasteland! |
What does Korea have to do with getting a position in the ME, or anything, for that matter? On other forum posts, you went on ad nauseam about how much you hated it.
Anyway, I never stated that you fit some stereotype of having a pulse and being able to string a couple of words together. You're the source of that phrase because you're under the impression employers in the ME hire anyone, which is not the case. Plus, having blonde hair and blue eyes counts for nothing in this part of world---this isn't China where some expats try to get by on their physical features. There's no entitlement in the MENA; you're expected to walk the talk. Frankly, this region isn't for you because you obviously lack tact, focus, and cultural awareness. Moreover, your qualifications fall way short.
Stop fooling yourself and making excuses by pointing fault at everything and everyone but yourself. The fact is, you're a father of two babies. Get real. You should be putting their needs ahead of your wants by doing whatever it takes to get work in a situation that allows your children and wife to live safely and reasonably comfortably (and not be subjected to your constant complaining). If that means heading to Korea, Vietnam, or China to teach, then do it. If that means getting yourself into a graduate degree program to upgrade your education, then do it. If that means following a different career path, then do it. If that means getting some counseling, then do it. That's where your focus should be rather than wasting time trolling these forums in order to drum up others' empathy and subsequently, slap down their advice. That well has run dry, my man. |
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AussieGus
Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:55 am Post subject: |
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MOD EDIT- Future personal attacks will result in permanent banning. Members are requested to advise the Mod Team of same by PM or Report Post modes as soon as possible.
Last edited by AussieGus on Sat Dec 27, 2014 11:52 am; edited 11 times in total |
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AussieGus
Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:04 am Post subject: |
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Btw I was never under the impression that employers in the ME would hire anyone. I was just saying they should.
I was also illuminating the perplexing fact that they can afford to be picky when Korea and China cannot. After all no one in their right mind would suggest that the former is a more agreeable place to live than the latter. Fascinating. |
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psychedelicacy
Joined: 05 Oct 2013
Posts: 180
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm a 38 year old Australian with an unrelated BA (Anthropology), TESOL and 7 years ESL teaching experience in Asia, mostly Korea. |
What is TESOL? Is that equivalent to CELTA? If yes, try the British Council or International House in the Middle East - preferably Saudi, Kuwait or Qatar because they pay better. I worked for the BC in one of those and staffing is always a problem, and it's the same in the other two, so register on their website and look at jobs.
These places do not pay as well as the universities, but it's enough to save substantially. Alternatively, you could try Saudi preparatory year programs, but all the ones I see these days require a degree in English, and these are dead-end jobs, whereas the BC/IH et al will offer a modicum of profressional development, up to and including doing the DELTA at a substantially discounted cost.
Regarding your opioid-based medication, I really don't know, but you can certainly take these medications into ME countries with appropriate documentation and they will also be available. If Oxycodone isn't, then morphine or methadone will be. However, you would probably need to discuss this with your employer, as they will be paying for your medical costs.
Finally, there is little need to worry about safety in the ME, other than on the roads. I lived in the ME for over three years (Saudi and Qatar) and find Arabs to be good, friendly people in general. Surprise yourself and give it a try. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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AussieGus
Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 107
PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:55 am Post subject: Reply with quote Report Post
Thanks nomad so much for such pearls of wisdom. There may be an element of truth in some of what you say but I recall a certain quote, something about judging others only when one's own life is sublime. All I can say is you must have the perfect life. For all my faults I don't scroll through forums looking for people who might benefit from my priceless advice. Why do you feel the need to do that?
I've noticed you meandering around the forum, Poland and the ME, offering your opinion at will to all (whether they asked for it or not) as if you're an expert on morality, ethics, cultural anthropology, human psychology, economics, parenthood, relationships not to mention teaching in the ME for good measure. How did we ever survive without your input? Maybe try the Korean forum too. I'm sure they could use your perspective.
You come across as a sanctimonious know it all or the answer to the question nobody asked. I wouldn't mind betting your own life is a shambles (probably far worse than mine) which is why you circulate all around the forum trying to sort everyone else's out. However I don't know you so I won't judge. Anyway I'm not trolling or looking for sympathy. I don't mind a cerebral debate with people who don't take themselves too seriously while gleaning some knowledge at the same time.
I was simply trying to acquire information and wind up some self righteous people who take themselves way too seriously.
Obviously my Aussie satire was lost on you so you must be a Yank (I was only kidding about the blonde hair and blue eyes). The fact that you thought I was serious is a real worry.
Did you mention you were a single female? No surprises there
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Not even going to bother with most of the above, but the final sentence is clearly beyond the pale.
You've also apparently failed to note that others have been equally critical of your approach to inquiring for information on jobs that might suit you and your family, and of your situation in general. |
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AussieGus
Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Ditto?
I'm sure nomad will appreciate your support. Looks like you also have a long history of popping up all over the forum offering wisdom regarding countries you've never been and know nothing about. Must be addictive.
Just had a couple of PM's from people also sick to death of sanctimonious moralizers. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Looks like you also have a long history of popping up all over the forum offering wisdom regarding countries you've never been and know nothing about. |
Countries I've never been and know nothing about? Such as?
Since when have you got a copy of my CV?
Very happy to learn that you have PM supporters. Maybe they can find you a job. |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| AussieGus wrote: |
Btw I was never under the impression that employers in the ME would hire anyone. I was just saying they should.
I was also illuminating the perplexing fact that they can afford to be picky when Korea and China cannot. After all no one in their right mind would suggest that the former is a more agreeable place to live than the latter. Fascinating. |
Don't come to ME. You wouldn't last a month. Not because of their ignorance but because of your own. |
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