| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
seekerofknowledge
Joined: 23 Feb 2015
Posts: 3
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:56 pm Post subject: Is it true..? |
 |
|
I graduated almost a year and half ago and decided to do a career change. I have heard about a lot of recent graduates who got jobs in KSA and UAE for teaching. So I decided to explore the options..
I wanted to do celta or TESOL however in class is not a option and online seems like the best way WITH in class training.
My degree is unrealted (health business). I plan on volunteering in ESL classes while hopefully gaining certification online.
I have been told:
A) CELTA/TEFL/TESOL is not competitive no longer so its best to get postgraduate diploma in teaching or MA in something related. True or not?
B) With CELTA/TEFL/TESOL and BA degree only, you won't get the iqaama. True or not?
C) With online and IN CLASS experience, you may qualify for job in KSA and they won't mind the online course work, True or not?
PS. I did try to use the search and found minimal current information, forgive me if Im wrong. ALSO I'm new to forum (LONG TIME LURKER AHA), so please FRIENDLY posters only, share the love lol no negative posts please and thanks.
SIGH I have tried to explore avenues for almost year and decided its time to buckle up and try getting things done. If there are better options do let me know, thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| seekerofknowledge wrote: |
| A) CELTA/TEFL/TESOL is not competitive no longer so its best to get postgraduate diploma in teaching or MA in something related. True or not? |
Check out the job ads on this site and other TEFL employment sites to see what employers require. Obviously, a TEFL-related MA will qualify for the better direct-hire positions (see http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=103722 ). However, an unrelated BA + valid TEFL qualification + a few years of TEFL experience meet the minimum for some contracting company positions.
| and wrote: |
| B) With CELTA/TEFL/TESOL and BA degree only, you won't get the iqaama. True or not? |
An iqama is a residence permit. As long as your qualifications meet the job requirements and you're issued an employment/work visa, you qualify for an iqama.
| lastly wrote: |
| C) With online and IN CLASS experience, you may qualify for job in KSA and they won't mind the online course work, True or not? |
The Saudi government doesn't like online anything---degree or TEFL qualification. If you want to teach in KSA, look into getting a CELTA, SIT TESOL, Trinity CertTESOL, or an equivalent TEFL cert (i.e., 120-hour face-to-face course that includes 6 hours of supervised teaching practice with real students in a classroom setting).
Frankly, even if you completed the CELTA, your lack of paid TEFL experience won't be enough to get your CV a second look. (Volunteer teaching doesn't count, by the way.) You can still apply, but seriously consider other areas of the world (like Korea) for gaining your first few years of experience before looking at this region. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seekerofknowledge
Joined: 23 Feb 2015
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks @Nomad for the input!!
Definitely something I must consider. Sadly ME is the only area I wish to work in, but i will try to broaden my options! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 2:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Keep in mind that most (all?) reputable post-grad TESOL degrees will require a suitable background. If you won't do a basic in-person option, how do you intend to do the higher quals? If the ME is your only desired local, you'll need to find a way to start the basics that are expected. Not being negative, just realistic. You need some quals. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seekerofknowledge
Joined: 23 Feb 2015
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 2:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
@santi84 Totally agree with you!
I was actually aiming to do post-grad online as well but I am going steer away from online after reading multiple threads that claim most countries in ME and KSA mostly are not open to that option. Thanks for heads up, I need to gain more qualifications definitely. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pikgitina
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 420
Location: KSA
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Like you, I had my eye on ME teaching jobs after graduating. I got my first one in Riyadh in 2003. I had a BA (HONS) in Language & History, the CELTA and two years of teaching experience. It was a horrible job. I taught split shifts six days a week for a year and got paid $2000 a month (flights, shared accommodation and medical were included). I then went to Oman for two years to get some more ME experience. The DELTA was next followed by an MA in Linguistics (2009) and a long stint in the UAE. With all of that under my belt and some luck I managed to land one of the most lucrative teaching jobs in the Kingdom...if not in the world.
I'm sharing this with you as one example of a possible "career path" when it comes to teaching in the ME. Twelve years ago no one but the shadiest of recruiters would touch my CV. However, with every year of teaching experience added to my CV and as my qualifications got better and more, more of the "better" employers became interested in my applications.
Good luck!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Is it true..? |
|
|
| seekerofknowledge wrote: |
B) With CELTA/TEFL/TESOL and BA degree only, you won't get the iqaama. True or not?
|
It depends upon the directives given to the Saudi embassy in your country at the moment. Today they might reject you, tomorrow you get the visa. My visa arrived 3 to 4 months after the application was sent in. Maybe they changed their minds over that period of time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GOTL
Joined: 12 Feb 2010
Posts: 53
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 1:25 am Post subject: SABIS |
|
|
| SABIS/ISC would hire you in a heart beat. They have schools in a number of the ME countries. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hash
Joined: 17 Dec 2014
Posts: 456
Location: Wadi Jinn
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 1:43 am Post subject: Re: Is it true..? |
|
|
| seekerofknowledge wrote: |
I graduated almost a year and half ago and decided to do a career change. I have heard about a lot of recent graduates who got jobs in KSA and UAE for teaching. So I decided to explore the options..
SIGH I have tried to explore avenues for almost a year and decided its time to buckle up and try getting things done. If there are better options do let me know, thanks! |
Almost a year?
I'm curious about someone who graduates with a "health" degree and then decides he's no longer interested in the field and wants to switch to something else. I can see someone losing interest after 5, 10 or 20 years in a field. But after 1.5 years? Throwing all that training away? How committed were you to the health field to begin with, one wonders??
I'm also curious about why you're suddenly interested in the TEFL field. Are you sure you know what you're getting into? Do you really know what it means to "teach" 6 hours a day 5 days a week to usually very recalcitrant, unmotivated and very often unteachable students? Plus putting up with school systems that "make no sense"? Are you aware that the vast majority of teachers in general and ESL teachers in particular leave the field because it quickly becomes mind-numbing, unbearable and humiliating?. You could be jumping from the frying pan into the fire, is what it sounds like to me.
But...I'll stop here. As you said, you don't want to hear "negatives". (I'm asking rhetorical questions, by the way. I don't expect answers or comments). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
