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Kaching
Joined: 16 Dec 2014
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:03 am Post subject: Qualifications to teach in Saudi Arabia |
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Hello all,
I am a US citizen and I am trying to teach in Saudi Arabia. After speaking with a recruiter for schools in the KSA, I've found that I just about satisfy their requirements less a CELTA certification.
The position included a pretty standard list of benefits:
3000$ month
housing provided
30 days vacation+national holidays
health insurance etc
Here's what I've got:
B.S. Environmental Science
2 years ESL teaching experience South Korea
The recruiter told me that the CELTA course was more of a necessity with regards to obtaining a work visa than for the school's desires. He said that he would put my resume in with the others he is sending to his clients, yet he wasn't too optimistic about it being accepted. He then recommended that I go for a TEFL certificate of some sort and told me that he'd be in touch. So, now I'm thinking about getting a CELTA, and hoping that this will all pan out for the best.
Pretty much I would just appreciate your thoughts on the situation and where I stand. Has anyone been known to be accepted without a CELTA? because that might save me some time and money. Given my degree, experience, and hypothetical certification, does this position seem suitable or should I aim higher? I sincerely appreciate your input. Thanks!~ |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:41 am Post subject: Re: Qualifications to teach in Saudi Arabia |
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| Kaching wrote: |
| Pretty much I would just appreciate your thoughts on the situation and where I stand. Has anyone been known to be accepted without a CELTA? because that might save me some time and money. Given my degree, experience, and hypothetical certification, does this position seem suitable or should I aim higher? |
To see what qualifications Saudi employers are actually looking for, head to the Cafe's job board (http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/) to check out current employment ads.
Obviously, CELTA tops the list of teaching qualifications because it's widely recognized worldwide. And since your degree is unrelated to TEFL and you've been teaching without a TEFL cert, a CELTA would help you stand out. Your call. |
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Gerund
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 80
Location: Amerika
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:22 am Post subject: Re: Qualifications to teach in Saudi Arabia |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Obviously, CELTA tops the list of teaching qualifications |
Not so obvious. I'd say an MA in Linguistics/TEFL would top the list, but a CELTA would come in a close second. Given your limited experience and lack of credentials, I'd say you'd be lucky to get a job that pays $3,000 p/m. Geting an MA is long and expensive process, so going for a CELTA would be a good idea whether you need to do it before landing a job in KSA or if you manage to get a job even without the CELTA, then down the road. |
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Hatcher
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 602
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:17 am Post subject: |
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The quals are very low in the KSA. Some places will take anyone white with two feet and a heart beat like the Uni of Hail. But other places with more demand require a degree.
It is just "he is... she is... I am...." |
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Kaching
Joined: 16 Dec 2014
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot for the comments. I am leaning towards acquiring the CELTA and heading over there in the Fall.
Nomad Soul: After browsing job advertisements, I see it's a a bit murky as far as what the qualifications are exactly. It seems it's usually a BA in any field with a CELTA and at least 2 years experience (sometimes more) or a BA in an English related field and a slightly lesser amount of experience. I haven't seen any adds desiring less than that. Usually they demand much more so I can tell that it's strict.
Are there enough ESL teachers who satisfy those requirements that also want to come to Saudi Arabia though?
Hacher: I wonder how these under qualified teachers are able to obtain a working visa and get into the country. Are the places you are thinking of legitimate? Do they forge paperwork or something?
Gerund: would you say I would still be lucky to get a job that pays 3000$/month even if I had a CELTA, BA, and 2 years exp. or were you referring to my current status of having just a BA and 2 years experience?
Do you figure I have slim chances either way? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Kaching wrote: |
After browsing job advertisements, I see it's a a bit murky as far as what the qualifications are exactly. It seems it's usually a BA in any field with a CELTA and at least 2 years experience (sometimes more) or a BA in an English related field and a slightly lesser amount of experience. I haven't seen any adds desiring less than that. Usually they demand much more so I can tell that it's strict.
Are there enough ESL teachers who satisfy those requirements that also want to come to Saudi Arabia though? |
There are no exact qualifications because those ads represent a variety of teaching jobs with contacting companies across different industries and teaching situations. There are direct-hire opportunities with more rigid requirements (e.g., nothing less than a TEFL-related MA + experience); however, those ads aren't usually posted on this site. Anyway, KSA has the most TEFL job opportunities (and most the flexible) in the region, which is one reason for the constant hiring---there's always a need for teachers.
Once you finish the CELTA (i.e., proof you've passed the course), apply to those ads you feel your quals meet to see what type of salary you could get. It's likely to be at the low range of the salaries indicated in the ads since unrelated BAs are at the bottom, even with a TEFL cert. |
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