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rollerblader
Joined: 01 Jul 2014
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:05 am Post subject: Gulf area ESL |
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It was recently said by a friend of mine that ESL has cratered. I certainly can agree with him. Long gone are the days when one could make a fortune teaching here in the gulf. Those money days are gone with the possible exception of being a direct Aramco hire. If I were freshly minted out of college/grad school, I would look to China with a strong bent towards IELTS prep.
If you are mired in school loans and can possibly pay them off in a year or two by taking a position paying three thousand dollars a month, then by all means come here and get out of debt, but the economic situation for ESL teachers is going to continue this downward trend.
Roller |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:16 am Post subject: |
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The good years are long gone. That was in the period from about 1975-1990.
Downhill since then.
Says the aged Scot47 in genteel retirement. |
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desertfox
Joined: 14 Jun 2015
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:31 am Post subject: |
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I've worked in the Gulf for about 6 years or so.
Even during that relatively short time, a deterioration has been evident.
Agents proliferate more than ever now, cutting into a teacher's salary and worsening terms and conditions. |
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1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Gulf area ESL |
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| rollerblader wrote: |
| If I were freshly minted out of college/grad school, I would look to China with a strong bent towards IELTS prep. |
I'm starting to come to that conclusion myself. You can save in a lot of places. It used to be that, in the Gulf, you could save much, much more than anywhere else, but that gap appears to be narrowing. In Oman, the conditions appear to be getting worse, even with the once highly sought after 'plum' government jobs. From what I hear, the people who renew next year will be on less pay than they are now. Plus, you also have to take into account the 'restrictions' and, let's say, the 'cultural factors' being imposed on your lifestyle. This is something that shouldn't be underestimated, especially if you are single. They used to compensate well for that and it was understood that you are being paid not just for the job, but also for putting up with all the bull fertilizer that comes with it. However, that's not so much the case anymore and the writing appears to be on the wall. I say all this as someone working in Oman and the Sultanate which, in many ways, is a breeze compared to a lot of places in the GCC.
Anyway, this is going to be final year here. It's been good in many ways, I'm appreciative for having had the opportunity, I've saved quite a bit, made good progress in my studies, met some awesome people, seen some interesting and beautiful things and I don't regret it for a second. However, I've had my fill and, IMHO, in terms of lifestyle, Asia is where it's at  . I think the rot has firmly set in and the draw of living in the Gulf is not what it was. For those who like 'Gulf living', and I've met plenty, more power to you, but, if I ever come back to live and work in the Gulf then, for this little black duck, it will have to be for very good money and it appears that that will be becoming more and more unlikely. |
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Shaecarts
Joined: 11 May 2016
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| what about secondary schools? is it the same? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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There are few, if any, secondary school teachers on this board. The vast majority of expat hires are for tertiary or oil/military.
Are you a credentialed teacher from US/UK/etc? Google up the International schools and try applying. The public schools in general don't recruit online. But, look at the Teachaway website for possible information.
VS |
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Raul739
Joined: 10 Feb 2016
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| So where should people go next for financial gain? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Raul739 wrote: |
| So where should people go next for financial gain? |
Into a different profession, even if that entails retraining or returning to university. For example, user experience (UX) designers earn an average of $85000/yr. Check it out. |
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afsjesse
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:28 am Post subject: |
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| Nowadays, it seems that some of the best paying jobs are with military contractors. While I don't make an Aramco type salary, my current position allows me to save quite a bit compared to other ESL jobs in the Kingdom paying $3k or so, per month. |
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Shaecarts
Joined: 11 May 2016
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
There are few, if any, secondary school teachers on this board. The vast majority of expat hires are for tertiary or oil/military.
Are you a credentialed teacher from US/UK/etc? Google up the International schools and try applying. The public schools in general don't recruit online. But, look at the Teachaway website for possible information.
VS |
Thanks. Do you happen to know of any message boards like this one? i have been striking out. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Shaecarts wrote: |
| Do you happen to know of any message boards like this one? i have been striking out. |
Try International Schools Review to connect with k-12 teachers. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| When asked why he had become a bank robber, John Dillinger said, "I rob banks because that is where the money is." Same applies today - but better to become a banker than another Dilllinger. Do NOT under any circumstances go into teaching. |
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izmigari
Joined: 04 Feb 2016
Posts: 197
Location: Rubbing shoulders with the 8-Ball in the top left pocket
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| When asked why he had become a bank robber, John Dillinger said, "I rob banks because that is where the money is." Same applies today - but better to become a banker than another Dilllinger. Do NOT under any circumstances go into teaching. |
Actually, the quote came from Willie Sutton.
Dillinger is quoted as saying, "I like the red dress better. I wouldn't be caught dead leaving a movie with a dame in a BLUE dress!" 
scot, your researching ability has devolved as much as Scotland has!  |
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Raul739
Joined: 10 Feb 2016
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Can anyone post a recent positive story of Saudi Arabia to give people hope?  |
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izmigari
Joined: 04 Feb 2016
Posts: 197
Location: Rubbing shoulders with the 8-Ball in the top left pocket
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Raul739 wrote: |
| Can anyone post a recent positive story of Saudi Arabia to give people hope? |
Raul's looking for hope, folks!
O. K., Raul...what would like to hear? |
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