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vikramkr
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:44 pm Post subject: What salary can I expect? |
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Hello all,
From reading several threads here, I've concluded (tell me if I'm wrong) that someone with a BA that isn't related to English and a CELTA can make $35-45K, depending on experience.
What can I expect to make with a MA in International Affairs from an American university and with a CELTA?
I actually haven't earned either (one year away from earning my MA and trying to figure out life, post-graduation), and am wondering: do Saudis care where in the world I earn my CELTA? I've read things here and there on the forum which indicate that Thai CELTAs, for example, aren't valued in x, y, and z countries, etc. I would love to earn mine in Lebanon, for example.
Additionally, I taught English (full-time) for 18 months as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Mozambique and taught English (part-time) in Istanbul for 6 months. Both were before I began my graduate studies. Not sure I can obtain "proof"/references of the latter (should they request it) though, as I'm not sure they'd remember me from five years ago...
Thanks in advance! |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:02 am Post subject: |
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35-40k USD... That would be my guess. With more experience, especially in the Middle East, you can climb the ladder.
The Colleges of Excellence are usually paying more than the contractors so maybe check out their websites and see what offers you get! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:31 am Post subject: |
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| vikramkr wrote: |
From reading several threads here, I've concluded (tell me if I'm wrong) that someone with a BA that isn't related to English and a CELTA can make $35-45K, depending on experience.
What can I expect to make with a MA in International Affairs from an American university and with a CELTA? I actually haven't earned either (one year away from earning my MA and trying to figure out life, post-graduation), and am wondering: do Saudis care where in the world I earn my CELTA? I've read things here and there on the forum which indicate that Thai CELTAs, for example, aren't valued in x, y, and z countries, etc. |
The top salary number indicated on job ads is generally for those with TEFL-related degrees and experience. You'd have to apply to find out what employers consider your qualifications are worth.
By the way, be aware the Saudi government does not recognize degrees that included online coursework.
As for the CELTA, it's a standardized course (awarded by Cambridge English Language Assessment via Cambridge University Press); therefore, the instructional content is the same regardless of where in the world you take it. See http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/ for more info. You might also look into SIT Graduate Institute's SIT TESOL since you're a former Peace Corps volunteer http://graduate.sit.edu/sit-graduate-institute/. |
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spanglish
Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 1:48 am Post subject: |
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An MA in International Affairs has little to nothing to do with being a classroom EFL instructor. Also, getting a CELTA after your MA in an unrelated subject would be a step backwards. Unless you specifically are planning on switching directions, I would strongly advise you to explore career options that your Peace Corps service (noncompetitive government appointment/nonprofit administration) and MA (career services, internships) offer you and not pursue language teaching. One possible exception that sort of combines language teaching and international affairs is the English Language Fellow Program, but I highly doubt they would recognize an MA in International Affairs as a sufficiently relevant graduate qualification.
Teaching English and international affairs (as amorphous as it is) are two very separate career tracks. I have about nine years professional experience in the two fields with relevant certs and education in both and have not met anybody that has transitioned from one to the other without starting over at the bottom of the ladder - although teaching English abroad can serve as a helpful foundation for many entry-level jobs in international affairs. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:16 am Post subject: |
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| Spanglish brings up some good points. Are you looking at a TEFL career (your MA isn't TEFL related), or is your present goal to pay off debts in a couple of years before moving on to something in your degree field? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 7:47 am Post subject: |
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18 Months Peace Corps experience sounds good to me. Don't let the Naysayers and their negativity put you off ! Many of the people I know have "unrelated" degrees.
Get a Celta and start applying. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:38 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| Get a Celta and start applying. |
Not yet -- the OP has one more year of studies left. Besides, I think he/she should seriously consider the SIT TESOL since the SIT Graduate Institute was established in the 60s as a training center for Peace Corps volunteers.
Hey, I'm curious... Does the UK have a program similar to the Peace Corps? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 9:38 am Post subject: |
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| VSO - Voluntary Service Overseas. In Canada they have CUSO. |
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vikramkr
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you ALL very much for your insight and input! Spanglish does indeed bring up valid points. Here is why teaching English in Saudi Arabia interests me:
1) Be able to save 3-4x what I would be able to save with an entry-level job with an NGO back in the US.
2) Have the opportunity to become fluent in Arabic. This is where I see myself investing all of my free time if I were to move to the Kingdom. The regions of the world I'm interested in pursuing a career in are Brazil and the Middle East. (Random, I know.)
I speak fluent Portuguese but don't currently have the money to just fly somewhere for a year, take classes, and become proficient in Arabic. Most development jobs I've seen in the Middle East require fluent Arabic.
3) Invest the money I earn ($43K) in an existing Brazilian nonprofit or start my own (and acquire a permanent visa as a result of that investment).
I am all over the place...  |
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vikramkr
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| PS: Nomad Soul - thanks for the SIT TESOL recommendation. I hadn't looked into that course. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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There's also this:
Professional Certificate in English Language Teaching
Flexible, Customized Professional Development Programs
The Professional Certificate in English Language Teaching (PCELT) is an accredited 120-hour teacher training course designed to meet the growing demand for quality training in English language teaching in the Arab world. Through a partnership between World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute and Amideast, a leader in English language training in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), we were able to combine SIT’s expertise and leadership in the field of teacher education with Amideast’s contextual expertise to create a course that meets the unique needs of English language teaching professionals throughout the MENA region. Through flexible delivery options, adaptable content, and the expertise of local licensed trainers the PCELT course is able to address unique English language teaching needs and contexts — from public to private, urban to rural, traditional to alternative, and resource-rich to resource-poor classrooms.
PCELT is designed for current and aspiring teachers of English who are proficient English speakers but who have little or no teaching background, as well as for experienced teachers who wish to upgrade or update their knowledge and skills based on the latest language teaching methodologies and emerging trends in the field. PCELT-certified teachers gain many rewards, including a competitive edge for career advancement and increased confidence in the classroom.
The PCELT course:
takes an approach grounded in experiential learning, critical thinking, reflective practice and a learner-centered pedagogy.
provides ample opportunities for individualized attention through a one to twelve trainer/participant ratio.
blends theory and practice through hands-on experiential workshops, guided lesson planning, observed practice teaching, and continuous peer and trainer feedback.
incorporates workshops on emerging trends and issues of particular relevance to the Arab world, such as the role of English in international communication, social media, economic opportunity, and education reform.
PCELT enrollment is managed directly by local Amideast offices. If you’d like to enroll, please check the country office on Amideast’s webpage for more details.
Print
TESOL Blog Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
“PCELT has given me a more efficient lens and clearer vision of what is going on in my classroom. Now I have learnt to put my students at the heart of the learning process.”
—PCELT course alum
Read about an alum of the program here
http://graduate.sit.edu/sit-graduate-institute/sn/degree-and-certificate-programs/language-teacher-training/pcelt/
http://www.amideast.org/egypt/english/pcelt
Regards,
John |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 1:22 am Post subject: |
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| vikramkr wrote: |
Have the opportunity to become fluent in Arabic. This is where I see myself investing all of my free time if I were to move to the Kingdom. The regions of the world I'm interested in pursuing a career in are Brazil and the Middle East. (Random, I know.)
I speak fluent Portuguese but don't currently have the money to just fly somewhere for a year, take classes, and become proficient in Arabic. Most development jobs I've seen in the Middle East require fluent Arabic. |
How long do you plan to work in KSA to gain Arabic fluency? And are you aware of Arabic diglossia? |
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vikramkr
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 1:34 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| vikramkr wrote: |
Have the opportunity to become fluent in Arabic. This is where I see myself investing all of my free time if I were to move to the Kingdom. The regions of the world I'm interested in pursuing a career in are Brazil and the Middle East. (Random, I know.)
I speak fluent Portuguese but don't currently have the money to just fly somewhere for a year, take classes, and become proficient in Arabic. Most development jobs I've seen in the Middle East require fluent Arabic. |
How long do you plan to work in KSA to gain Arabic fluency? And are you aware of Arabic diglossia? |
1-2 years, with the goal being fluency in MSA and Hejazi. I would like to arrive in KSA already having an intermediate knowledge of MSA.
Speaking of Hejazi Arabic, is it me or are job postings in Jeddah more hard to come by than in Riyadh, for example? I would be a far happier camper in Jeddah... |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 2:11 am Post subject: |
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| vikramkr wrote: |
| Speaking of Hejazi Arabic, is it me or are job postings in Jeddah more hard to come by than in Riyadh, for example? |
Probably. You might look into the Institute of Public Administration as well as those Colleges of Excellence that operate in Jeddah. |
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hash
Joined: 17 Dec 2014
Posts: 456
Location: Wadi Jinn
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| Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 2:54 am Post subject: |
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| vikramkr wrote: |
1-2 years, with the goal being fluency in MSA and Hejazi. I would like to arrive in KSA already having an intermediate knowledge of MSA.
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"Fluency" in MSA and Hejazi in 1 or 2 years? Not a chance. Not unless you already have some background in the language or are exceptionally gifted in language learning. The fact that you differentiate between MSA and a dialect leads me to suspect that you already are to some degree familiar with some variety of Arabic.
But if you know no Arabic AT ALL, you're looking at around 5 years to achieve fluency and that's if you're totally dedicated. (Again, I'm talking about FLUENCY......you can pick up quite a bit in 2 years...but you'll be far from fluent).
As far as MSA, you don't need to be in an Arabic speaking country to study it. If you live in a large Western city, there's likely some institution that offers it. Barring that, you can always get a native-speaker tutor to give you private lessons.
Hejazi? Finding a native speaker of Hejazi that will actually TEACH it to you will be your most difficult task even if you are in the Hejaz. There is very little material to teach/study the dialects except for the big ones (Egyptian, Lebanese). There is a manual called "Urban Hejazi Arabic" but that's only a beginner's book. It will not lead to fluency.
Finally, let me say this. The "Gulf" (including KSA) is the worst place for a foreigner to learn Arabic. This is because English has become the medium of daily communication throughout the region. Everyone speaks it (to some degree) and it is used everywhere.
One would have to go to extraordinary lengths over a protracted period of time to become conversant in the Gulf Arabic dialect of his region. I've personally never met any Westerner who has achieved this feat....not even close. I've met several who speak good colloquial Arabic, but they learned it previously in Egypt, Lebanon and so on. But "Gulf Arabic" or Hejazi? Like I said, I've never met anyone who can even stumble in these Gulf dialects, let alone be "fluent" in them. |
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