Job Discussion Forums

[jimpellow]

Considering the seeming redundancies that are hitting the ESL industry in the Magic Kingdom, how much per hour (no benefits) would it take one of the lucky pink slip recipients to live, in say Thailand, and teach the same groups of Saudis online?

(this hypothetical question is directed to those who would qualify for an iqama and have experience with Saudi culture and course subject matter.)

[nomad soul]

Redundancies? The TEFL market in KSA is about the same; there's still a need for experienced/qualified teachers. Plus, based on your question, it seems you'd need to know more about the cost of living in Thailand or whatever country.

That said, be aware that the four skills are taught in university foundation year programs and not just conversation English, which is better suited for the online TESOL platform. Whether you'd have enough steady high-paying online learners from KSA to earn a comfortable living in X country is questionable.

[jimpellow]

[nomad soul]

[jimpellow]

You are correct about all of the above, save that there are interested big parties intending to save money by going virtual classroom. I am not going too much into details, as that was not the scope of my question.

Yet I am sure that there are some teachers in Saudi who would prefer to live in Thailand with their wives etc... and be willing to give up some of their high salary for a resectable but lesser salary. I would like to hear opinions from them. They can pm me if they would feel more comfortable.

There are actually a very high number of Saudis who wish to learn online. I can assure you that. Their biggest fear is that any legitimate online Gulf based school is a scam, but they get over it.

Anyways, the truth about Saudi is that they would prefer an English major with a MA in TESOL to teach medical students rather than a Johns Hopkins Medical School graduate who was head of Mount Sinai and holds a TEFL. None of it of course seems particularly relevant as the class is generally based on telling the students to wake up and stop playing video games on their cell phones.

But the big parties want Gulf veterans who fit a certain profile in terms of educational background, cultural sensitivity, and subject lexicon.

So the question remains, what is a teacher in Saudi worth to do this work online?

[nomad soul]

[jimpellow]

Please pm me anyone who has some honest feedback. I have done Saudi and do a lot online both teaching and for business development. This was just an informational request on behalf of a party who is developing online group classes for official Saudi parties. I know from other sources that there are qualified teachers interested in this avenue of teaching Saudis. Just want to to estimate what constitutes a win-win-win from the teacher prospective. I don't wan't to deal with the above poster hijacking the thread. Thank you.

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

Saudis will not go for online learning. I think you should forget about this idea.

[Lord T]

Jimpellow's question is interesting: even if you are 'well-qualified' it is becoming more difficult to get work visas, and not just in Saudi.

It seems we are now expected to wait unpaid at home for months before we can go and start the job.

With online teaching no work visa is required. You can start today.

Food for thought.

[nomad soul]

Several of my colleagues were assigned students to tutor online part time but did so via computers on campus. However, they still taught their face-to-face classes for most of their teaching schedule.

[Lord T]

I've never taught online. I imagine it has its limitations. Clearly you couldn't do it without an excellent internet connection for one thing; and even then it may not feel as authentic as a face-to face conversation. I don't know much about it, and I have an open mind with regard to it.

What I like is the fact that you can teach and earn without having to go through agents and embassies. If the student/customer is happy with your teaching, they will come back for more, if not, they won't.

I think that is a much better way of working than having some charlatan of a HoD/Team Leader making judgments about my ability.

[cnthaiksarok]

[nomad soul]

[sicklyman]

I totally get why you feel nomad might be hijacking the thread considering she didn't let a response go by without posting her own! She'll probably respond to this one too!

You can make money teaching online. I have friends here who were teaching online before they came and still teach those same students online and intend to keep them long after they've left here or for as long as they will pay.

There are plenty of online jobs available if you go looking for them but they don't usually pay very much. Most cater to students in the Far East, not the Middle East however and almost all do conversational English, although I know of some students who work on written English with the online component for the purpose of reviewing work together and giving feedback to improve drafts.

I would imagine that another decade would see the tech improve significantly in this area and also the demand. I don't think it's something that can be dismissed as having insignificant earnings potential for those considering semi-retirement. I think you're wise to consider it as part of your strategy, but I don't think you're wise to consider Saudis.

As with all self-employment though, building a client base and self-promotion will be the hardest part and where you make or break your opportunities.

Good luck!