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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Was your TEFL completed online or in-class? I know you say you earned it in Thailand, but was that completely in-class? Apparently, Saudi cares (Korea, not so much).

As ESL teachers, our cover letters and resumes are so critical. Most other industries don't consider spelling or grammatical errors as deal-breakers, but ours does. Add to that, a weak cover letter demonstrates a lack of writing skills (regardless of your experience).

It isn't from an ESL source, but askamanager is a popular blog with great information about engaging hiring managers. I urge you to read this article:

http://www.askamanager.org/2014/02/heres-a-real-life-example-of-a-great-cover-letter-with-before-and-after-versions.html
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would also suggest using your cover letter to demonstrate how you know the market. For example, make sure Saudi employers know that you've taught university, what levels, how your degree in writing matters, etc.

I'm not sure if you have ever taught Saudi students before (I assume not), but writing is a struggle for them. Use your background to sell yourself. Expand on classroom management.

I teach in Canada, so I teach both Saudi and Korean students, obviously in an ESL rather than EFL environment. I find myself poking and prodding Korean students more to speak, whereas the Saudi students are not so shy, but have their own quirks Laughing Know that, and sell to it.
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wavelength



Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Posts: 151
Location: The Feel Good River of a Celestial Rainbow

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 6:15 pm    Post subject: Thanks Nomad and Santi84 Reply with quote

Quote:
Was your TEFL completed online or in-class?


Yes, it was in house, but my CV doesn't reflect this. I'm changing it now. Thanks... and thanks for the article link (haven't read it yet).

Quote:
Frankly, instead of asking why an offer is low, ask what you can do to improve the salary.


That's an excellent suggestion. I'm also reading the CV post now.

I got some advice from tefl.net on my resume, so I reworked it from a chronological format to a skills based format. It looks great and it's down from 2 pages to 1 (although it could be much longer as most people will probably say).

I took the questions that Reddevil79 posted and inserted them in the cover letter. I also beefed it up a bit without exaggerating.

(... maybe more after I read through the material I've been given.)

Thanks all. I'm sure this thread will help more than just me.
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wavelength



Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Posts: 151
Location: The Feel Good River of a Celestial Rainbow

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 6:33 pm    Post subject: Article Link Reply with quote

Santi89, about the "here’s a real-life example of a great cover letter" you sent me. I can see how genuine excitement and enthusiasm can essentially change the tone of a cover letter. At times, I do find positions that excite me, but they're usually with the BBC or Oxford Press or some other organization that would be really cool to work for.

I think most ESL teachers with three or more years behind them will admit that most ESL jobs are pretty much the same the world over, and they generally don't allow for vertical movement. (Before anyone jumps on me, yes there are exceptions, as always.)

The only thing that gets me excited about teaching ESL in a foreign country is the salary and benefits, exploring a new culture, and the personalities of some of the students I will one day meet. Also, I get a kick out of seeing the "Ah-ha" reaction when a student internalizes a lesson or part of the lesson. It feels good to know they got it.

I could try to write an enthusiastic letter, but it is a little difficult when you know that most schools fall short of their students and teachers needs. To be perfectly frank, as much as I do enjoy teaching, I find is very disheartening that I have to leave my country to gain employment while every business I walk into is operated by someone who speaks with a heavy accent or broken English.

Thanks for the link. It reminded me of how I've felt in the past when applying for jobs I consider 'dream' positions.
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Article Link Reply with quote

wavelength wrote:
Santi89, about the "here’s a real-life example of a great cover letter" you sent me. I can see how genuine excitement and enthusiasm can essentially change the tone of a cover letter. At times, I do find positions that excite me, but they're usually with the BBC or Oxford Press or some other organization that would be really cool to work for.

I think most ESL teachers with three or more years behind them will admit that most ESL jobs are pretty much the same the world over, and they generally don't allow for vertical movement. (Before anyone jumps on me, yes there are exceptions, as always.)

The only thing that gets me excited about teaching ESL in a foreign country is the salary and benefits, exploring a new culture, and the personalities of some of the students I will one day meet. Also, I get a kick out of seeing the "Ah-ha" reaction when a student internalizes a lesson or part of the lesson. It feels good to know they got it.

I could try to write an enthusiastic letter, but it is a little difficult when you know that most schools fall short of their students and teachers needs. To be perfectly frank, as much as I do enjoy teaching, I find is very disheartening that I have to leave my country to gain employment while every business I walk into is operated by someone who speaks with a heavy accent or broken English.

Thanks for the link. It reminded me of how I've felt in the past when applying for jobs I consider 'dream' positions.


Well, I will have to disagree with that a bit. I find that teaching English can vary a lot, depending on location. Obviously, the basics can be the same - it's the same language, right? But students come from different cultures and backgrounds, and that can completely change how you teach to them. You have taught in a lot of different Asian countries, but there a lot of similar cultural practices in a classroom that will be reflected in what is expected of an instructor.

Here in Canada, experience abroad in Asia isn't even considered "real experience" for many ESL positions. It is well-known that some ESL schools in Asia will hire anyone with a pulse and degree in political science. Now, remember, when you are dealing with non-Asian countries, some of them will have the same impression. You have a degree in writing (which many Saudis struggle with), you have a 160-hour TEFL *on-site* (critical because online is a no-go), and you have university experience. You have what it takes, in terms of minimal qualifications.

The problem is that if you don't know your market (you don't know how teaching DIFFERS across the globe), you will be selling yourself short because you assume it is all the same, and it isn't. Yes, past tense is past tense, but hiring practices are not the same.

RE: the bolded - tell them that.

I used to do high-volume applicant screening as part of a previous job, and it was rare that an applicant actually TOLD ME why they should be hired, instead of expecting me to guess in comparison to 50 other applicants. I only screened, and was expected to give the hiring manager 2-3 good ones. 47 were tossed. Don't underestimate your competition and don't expect them to just "know".

Another hiring note - don't assume that the person screening your resumes knows a darned thing about what goes on in a classroom. I screened resumes for health care workers, and I couldn't even tell you what temperature constitutes a fever. I'm an ESL teacher. Don't assume![/b]
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esl_prof



Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

reddevil79 wrote:
Can I be honest here? As someone who has hired teachers for the institutions I’ve worked for, that letter’s too brief and doesn’t do much for me.


Agreed. This sounds like a summary of the OP's resume: redundant and hardly inspiring.

Each job application letter should be customized to the show precisely how you fit the advertised job description for each institution that you apply for. Obviously, if you're applying to lots of similar positions, there will be fewer things to change from one letter to the next but, still, don't rely on a one-size fits all letter.

In addition to reddevil79's suggestions, I'd suggest saying something specific about your teaching philosophy and classroom style and, then, back that up with an example or two. As for your educational credentials, be sure to show how those might be an asset to your particular employer--especially important as they're not specifically TEFL-related.

Here's a cover letter outline that has successfully landed me interviews at numerous institutions:

http://chronicle.com/article/That-Crucial-First-Impression/124876/

Of course, you'll want to tweak it a bit to fit the context of the particular types of institutions that you're applying for (in this case, NOT U.S. community college jobs). It should, however, give you some solid ideas for how you might put a little more umph into your next letter, though.

Writing good cover letters is a narrow genre that takes time to master, but with practice it can be done. Good luck!
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nomad soul



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

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

santi84 wrote:
Here in Canada, experience abroad in Asia isn't even considered "real experience" for many ESL positions. It is well-known that some ESL schools in Asia will hire anyone with a pulse and degree in political science. Now, remember, when you are dealing with non-Asian countries, some of them will have the same impression. You have a degree in writing (which many Saudis struggle with).

Ditto your comment about how employers in other parts of the world view teaching experience gained in Asia---this is an issue I mentioned in one of my previous posts. As for the OP's degree in writing, it's a plus, but unfortunately, that won't matter to the Saudi contracting company that employs him. Besides, most of the foundation year teaching in KSA involves integrated skills, and the writing component is very basic and definitely not academic. (Foundation year English generally stops at the intermediate level.)

For now, the OP needs to focus on sprucing up his CV and that yawner of a cover letter.
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wavelength



Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Posts: 151
Location: The Feel Good River of a Celestial Rainbow

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Article Link Reply with quote

santi84 wrote:
...you don't know how teaching DIFFERS across the globe...


I think you're probably very right about this. When you work in Korean hogwons and cram schools it gets pretty old after 2 or 3 years. Teaching uni was a nice change.

I'll try to work the statement I made about students 'getting it' into my cover letter. It really is the truth. When ever I see that happen, almost everything else that's troublesome about the job washes away. I walk home feeling like I did a good thing.

It's a nice feeling.

As far as having the minimal qualifications, I think you're right about that too. I'm getting a little frustrated by recruiters who advertise "any related Humanities degree", but then turn me down because they want an English degree. These guys don't seem to know how much English is involved in English writing. Nor do they seem to care that I taught uni grammar for two years plus all the basic stuff for the other years.
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hear you loud and clear. I have a Bachelor of General Studies, which includes two full years of 300/400-level TESL coursework. That's where you use the power of the cover letter to explain why your degree is so awesomely applicable to the job, rather than hope they know.
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I think most ESL teachers with three or more years behind them will admit that most ESL jobs are pretty much the same the world over, and they generally don't allow for vertical movement. (Before anyone jumps on me, yes there are exceptions, as always.)


Uh, no. I've got 18 years now, and 'most ESL jobs are NOT pretty much the same the world over.' And that's a typical overgeneralisation from someone with experience only in Asia.
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wavelength



Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Posts: 151
Location: The Feel Good River of a Celestial Rainbow

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

esl_prof wrote:
Agreed. This sounds like a summary of the OP's resume: redundant and hardly inspiring.


You haven't seen my resume.

Quote:
Good luck!


Thanks. I don't believe in luck.
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esl_prof



Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wavelength wrote:
esl_prof wrote:
Agreed. This sounds like a summary of the OP's resume: redundant and hardly inspiring.


You haven't seen my resume.


True. But I did see your cover letter, which is what I was referring to above.
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esl_prof



Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wavelength wrote:
Quote:
Good luck!


Thanks. I don't believe in luck.


Okay, how about: May the odds be ever in your favor!
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wavelength



Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Posts: 151
Location: The Feel Good River of a Celestial Rainbow

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

spiral78 wrote:
someone with experience only in Asia.


You're absolutely right. I only have experience in Taiwan, China, Thailand, and Cambodia.

That's why I'm trying to change regions.


Last edited by wavelength on Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:57 am; edited 2 times in total
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wavelength



Joined: 27 Jan 2015
Posts: 151
Location: The Feel Good River of a Celestial Rainbow

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:44 pm    Post subject: Duplicate Post Reply with quote

Deleted.

Last edited by wavelength on Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:59 am; edited 1 time in total
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