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SH_Panda
Joined: 31 May 2011
Posts: 455
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 Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:55 am Post subject: Middle East for a 'non-qualified' teacher? |
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Hi all.
I have 5 years experience teaching kids, a 120 hour face to face TEFL certificate and 2 years experience as a head teacher here in China.
Unfortunately, I am not a qualified teacher in my home country.
Is there anywhere in the Middle East (apart from Saudi Arabia) that I would be able to find work?
I'm not going to lie... I want to move to the ME just for the money 
Any help would be appreciated. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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Be aware that the teaching situation in the rich Gulf is very different from that in parts of Asia. International school teachers in this region teach content relative to their majors (i.e., subjects like math, history, language arts, social studies, etc.) as a continuation of the students' formal education which is why licensure is required. English is the language of instruction and most of the students, especially those in international British or American schools, are already native speakers; therefore, EFL teachers in this context are rare. Non-western international schools hire bilingual teachers---speakers of English and their native tongue.
That said, there are positions for unlicensed teachers; however, employers tend to hire non-qualified teachers locally from expats (English and speakers of other languages) already in country, under the sponsorship of an employed spouse and who are familiar with the host country's culture. That equates to zero benefits in terms of housing, flights, medical insurance, and visa fees.
Where does that leave you? Without options, unfortunately, unless you're willing to upgrade your qualifications and academic credentials. That's not to say there won't ever be a job opportunity in the Gulf that fits your qualifications; however, it may not be a working and living situation anyone would want. |
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PC Parrot
Joined: 11 Dec 2009
Posts: 459
Location: Moral Police Station
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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And in the UAE, for example, even when they hire locally, the non-cowboy outfits need to obtain a labour card for the teacher .. and to get this, you need to submit your documents to the ministry of education - high school certificates, degree and teacher certification ..
You cannot get the UAE labour card to teach without proof of teacher certification ..
The cowboy outfits might apply for a labour card for you as an assistant teacher but use you as a teacher .. but the wage at those sorts of places wouldn't be enough for you to live on even if you lived frugally .. |
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SH_Panda
Joined: 31 May 2011
Posts: 455
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
Where does that leave you? Without options, unfortunately, unless you're willing to upgrade your qualifications and academic credentials. . |
Thanks for reminding me about this thread, and thanks for your answers!
How could i upgrade my qualifications and academic credentials whilst living abroad? I can't go home and become a 'real' teacher because I have a family in China now.
Would online masters degree get me anywhere? CELTA followed by DELTA? Anything else?
I appreciate your help. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Online degrees are nice, but not recognised by the authorities in the Middle East. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| SH_Panda wrote: |
How could i upgrade my qualifications and academic credentials whilst living abroad? I can't go home and become a 'real' teacher because I have a family in China now.
Would online masters degree get me anywhere? CELTA followed by DELTA? Anything else? |
Upgrading your credentials to be a "real" teacher is something you'll have to figure out. You're in that unfortunate (yet all too common) position of not having obtained standard teaching qualifications prior to gaining your TEFL experience.
So again, to teach in IB, UK, US... curriculum schools in the Gulf, you'd need a teaching licence/certification from your home country (relevant to your degree major) + a couple of years of experience teaching that subject in your home country. To teach EFL in the UAE's public schools, you'd need a TEFL-related/English degree, licensure/certification to teach ESOL, and have experience teaching ESOL in your home country.
To teach adults (usually in university prep year programs) in the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, you'd need a relevant MA + a minimum of 3 years of uni-level TEFL experience (gained post-MA). A Delta will not be enough; employers require a full graduate degree. Oman and Saudi Arabia, however, would be possibilities, especially if your BA is TEFL-related and/or you get a Delta.
Be aware the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait presently do not recognize degrees that entailed online coursework---something to keep in mind if you're looking at online MA programs. The exception is the UAE, but you'd need to have at least 3 years of university-level TEFL experience after you complete your MA in order to hit the minimum requirement for positions in the Emirates. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
Be aware that the teaching situation in the rich Gulf is very different from that in parts of Asia. International school teachers in this region teach content relative to their majors (i.e., subjects like math, history, language arts, social studies, etc.) as a continuation of the students' formal education which is why licensure is required. English is the language of instruction and most of the students, especially those in international British or American schools, are already native speakers; therefore, EFL teachers in this context are rare. Non-western international schools hire bilingual teachers---speakers of English and their native tongue.
That said, there are positions for unlicensed teachers; however, employers tend to hire non-qualified teachers locally from expats (English and speakers of other languages) already in country, under the sponsorship of an employed spouse and who are familiar with the host country's culture. That equates to zero benefits in terms of housing, flights, medical insurance, and visa fees.
Where does that leave you? Without options, unfortunately, unless you're willing to upgrade your qualifications and academic credentials. That's not to say there won't ever be a job opportunity in the Gulf that fits your qualifications; however, it may not be a working and living situation anyone would want. |
Agreed, and it sounds like OP is expecting to support a family on top of all that. It simply isn't going to happen unless OP goes home and substantially upgrades his/her credentials. |
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adaruby
Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Posts: 171
Location: has served on a hiring committee
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:02 am Post subject: |
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The British Council are currently recruiting for Dubai and the following are their requirements:
Vacancy Information
Teacher of English - Dubai, UAE (UAD-T-0214)
The British Council U.A.E is recruiting a full-time teacher to teach in our Dubai centre starting in Mid-May 2015.
Essential Requirements:
Undergraduate/University Degree
Cambridge CELTA/Trinity cert TESOL followed by 2 years relevant teaching experience
High proficiency in English i.e. full mastery of English across all 4 skills equivalent to user (CEFR C2) IELTS Band 8/9 in each of 4 sections of the academic module
Experience in teaching relevant age groups specific to the centre
* Adults General English 18+ (800+ hours)
* And one or more of the following
* Young learners aged 6 to 10 (400+ hours)
* Young learners aged 11 to 13 (400+ hours)
* Young learners aged 14 to 17 (400+ hours)
Desirable Requirements:
DELTA/Trinity DipTESOL
Recognised YL teaching qualification e.g. PGCE/B.Ed in Primary or relevant subject TYLEC or YL extension to CELTA
So, a degree, CELTA and a couple of years experience then, just like the rest of the world. No need for an MA - despite what you may have read on here - and the DELTA is only "desirable". 
Last edited by adaruby on Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:08 am Post subject: |
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| Particularly desirable if one hopes to support a family. Doubtful the BC job would suffice. |
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adaruby
Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Posts: 171
Location: has served on a hiring committee
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| spiral78 wrote: |
| Particularly desirable if one hopes to support a family. Doubtful the BC job would suffice. |
Is the title of the thread "How to support a family in Dubai?" |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:16 am Post subject: |
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| The golden era is over. You are about 50 years too late. |
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adaruby
Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Posts: 171
Location: has served on a hiring committee
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:21 am Post subject: |
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| Go back to sleep, scot. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| How could i upgrade my qualifications and academic credentials whilst living abroad? I can't go home and become a 'real' teacher because I have a family in China now. |
adaruby, not in the title. But in his response to the original responses. Perhaps he means to abandon his Chinese family, but I doubt it!
But what the hell. EVERYBODY should go to the ME. I mean, why not??!!
Who cares if they end up in hellish underpaid jobs with dodgy recruiting companies?? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| .................................or slaving away in the split-shift environment of the British Council ! |
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adaruby
Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Posts: 171
Location: has served on a hiring committee
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="spiral78"]
| Quote: |
.
But what the hell. EVERYBODY should go to the ME. I mean, why not??!!
Who cares if they end up in hellish underpaid jobs with dodgy recruiting companies?? |
What on earth are you wittering on about now?
| SH_Panda wrote: |
Hi all.
I have 5 years experience teaching kids, a 120 hour face to face TEFL certificate and 2 years experience as a head teacher here in China.
Unfortunately, I am not a qualified teacher in my home country.
Is there anywhere in the Middle East (apart from Saudi Arabia) that I would be able to find work?
I'm not going to lie... I want to move to the ME just for the money
Any help would be appreciated. |
The thread is about whether a man/woman can find work in the ME with basic credentials - nothing more, nothing less - and the answer, despite what has been said on here, is an unequivocal yes.
Let him/her decide whether the job suits the financial needs of his/her family.
PS. Scot, stop sending me private messages. I'm not interested, you weirdo. |
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