Job Discussion Forums

[lilian]

Dear participants of this forum

I am new to this forum and have so far been able to read only some of the posts. As many of you have practical experience in teaching and working in the UAE, I would appreciate your views and/or advice. I especially welcome Mr Veiledsentiment's views.

At present I teach English in China, and am thinking of moving to and teaching in the UAE. From what I have read and understand, my chances of obtaining employment there seem very slim. Here are my details:

I am female and in my late 40s; and
an Australian of Middle Eastern origin (non-native speaker of English);
my qualifications: five university degrees including Master and PhD in social and political sciences (from British and Australian universities), but the undergraduate degree in English;
I have over three years of teaching experience - tertiary level mostly in my field (and some 12 years of non teaching work experience), and some English teaching experience (as at present)
I do not have an ESL certificate, and obviously my field is not in linguistics.
I am fluent in three languages + some Arabic

Would it be a waste of time applying for college or university positions in the UAE?

Second question: there are simply too many providers of second language teaching diplomas and certificates. If I were going to do a short term course (with the above objective in mind), what would be the most suitable one (eg, teaching English to adults, ...as a second language)?

I noticed on the Website of one of the UAE tertiary insitutions, cannot remember which, an ESL course being offered involving two evenings per week of study for six months. I do not know anything about the fees, but, if all else fails, would it be a good idea to move there to do this course, as a stepping stone, or is it, again, a waste of money and time?

Hope these questions are not too vague.
I thank you
lilian

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Lillian,

First off, it's Ms VS - Usually the people on this board only accuse me of being male when they are angry with me.

If you are serious about getting into English teaching, get the CELTA. That is the most recognized cert and looks the best on a CV. I also think it would be best to have completed it before you apply. Since the UAE is an expensive place to live - and being there is not really a benefit to finding a job - I would do the Cert elsewhere.

Finding a job will not be easy - especially the first one. You may want to consider starting in Oman. Their pay is lower than the Emirates, but they are more open to non-native speakers as English teachers. Once you have some Middle East teaching experience on your CV, your options in both Oman and the UAE will improve.

Good Luck!

VS

[tefllifer]

Hi
Have you looked at any websites of the Universities in the Gulf to see what courses they offer in your field - like UAEU, AUS, AUD, Woollongong - and lots of places are opening in Qatar (in addition to the University there) where you might be able to find a post in your field - courses are usually in English, I think, but in some places it might be a distinct advantage to be able to deliver in Arabic. Oman has a lot of Universities, too - and there a University in Bahrain. It's worth a try.

[veiledsentiments]

Lillian

Tefllifer brought something up that could be expanded a bit. From your original posting, it appears that you do not have good enough Arabic to lecture in it. ?? (you said 'some Arabic')

But, there are many Australian colleges and universities that are doing programs all around the Gulf. You may want to look into those.

VS

[lilian]

Thanks again.

Yes, I won't be able to lecture in Arabic (though my specialisation is political economy of the middle east). Since I posted my original message, I have had time only to check a few of the relevant Websites (the Internet service where I am is not very good). I really don't know what the chances would be in terms of teaching in my field at UAE or other Persian Gulf universities and colleges, perhaps miminal, given the tough competition (and my teaching experience is not that extensive, as I have mostly worked in the public sector), and also because it seems to me that there are not many (or very few indeed) institutions which offer courses in social/political science field. They are mostly interested in management, business, IT and the like. Perhaps I don't know where and how to check.

Some Australian tertiary institutions operate there, but my experience with them has been wholly negative (this is a long story), and I prefer to avoid them.

At the moment I feel quite discouraged, and not sure what exactly to do next. I will continue to search the information available on the Internet, and see what I can find.

As for doing a CELTA, it sounds the logical thing to do. But again, it presents its own problems. If I am going to do this course, I have to return to Australia, where it would be very expensive. Moreover, I feel it is rather ridiculous for me to go to school again (perhaps wrong attitude on my part).

Perhaps I should look elsewhere (while researching English teaching in the ME) where native spearkerism is not such a strong ideology. Turkey, for example?

How complicated!

cheers lilian

[veiledsentiments]

Lillian,

You are likely correct that your major is not offered at many places. They are trying to mainly offer majors that contribute to their employment needs. But, since you do have a PhD, I would still check out the curriculum at the universities.

It would seem that your first step might be to research getting the CELTA. I went the MA route, so I am not really a great deal of help - though I know that many employers consider it a big plus. The CELTA is offered all over the world. Too bad you don't have a better internet hook-up as it makes searches rather a hassle. I would try 'search' on this board first. Turkey might be a good option for doing it. It may very well be offered around China. Or a country where you have family.

There has been many discussions of this on the general discussion boards. Don't think of it as 'going back to school' as it is more like practical job training. And, it can be done in quite a short time period - less than a semester.

VS

[lilian]

Dear VS

OK then. I checked and CELTA is offered in China (in Shanghai and Beijing), though I don't know anything yet about timetable and costs,
and when/if I can move there.

Now, a few more questions please:

(1) It is not so much a question of going-back-to-school attitude that is the issue for me, but that how would I know if I am not wasting my time and resouces if, even with the certificate, I am going to face the 'non-native speaker' barrier? (not a fair question, I guess, as if I am seeking guarantees - only that I have been in situations like this life before).

(2) Does it matter where one does CELTA, in terms of its 'value'. Or:
Is it of the same worth regardless of where it is done?

(3) The Uni of Cam. Website refers to CELTA as the 'initial' or entry-level
certificate for teaching English, but does not clarify its relationship with other courses like TESOL and TEFL. Is this why you suggested CELTA? Or is it because it is short-term? (I am not clear about the variety of courses that there are; and I am sure I can find out by doing some research, but you may be able to help).

When I referred to Turkey I meant searching for teaching posts over there. But may be it is not that different from UAE/ME in terms of requirements.

I am reading the posts here very gradually, as I have little time, so sorry if any questions are repetitive or naive.

regards
lilian

[Gordon]

lillian,

A CELTA is a TEFL. It is entry-level, they start with the basics, but you will learn a lot, trust me and it is a challenge. I taught ESL/EFL for 4 years before I got my CELTA and there was a lot I learned. Keep an open mind, I recommend it to anyone.

Don't think it really matters where the course is done. I wouldn't take one if the program is really new at that particular location as the kinks may still need to be ironed out.

CELTAs can be done f/t in a month or p/t in 4 months. Check out where you want to live and then inquire of the prices, usually about $2000 US on average, a little cheaper in the developing world, even more expensive here in Japan.

[lilian]

Thanks Gordon
No doubt I have a lot to learn - that's not why Ihave some doubts about doing CELTA. My doubt was that even with the certificate, I still have to deal with the native speakerism issue. so I am not sure if it'd really put me in a better position, or if I am in the right field, so to speak.
Nevertheless.
I think I return to Australia after I've done my time here and do the course there. It costs A$2600 and runs for four weeks. And then see what happens.
cheers
lilian

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Lillian,

Of course you realize that we really can't answer your main question. I worked with many non-native speakers through the years, so they are definitely there. But, how much this fact will affect your personally, we don't know.

I mentioned Oman earlier. At SQU, if you look at the teacher list for the Language Centre on-line, it appears that less than half of the teachers are 'native' speakers. The more experience you have, the better your chances to get the better jobs. Thus, don't restrict yourself to just the UAE.

You have made a good decision to go and get the CELTA. Employers in the Gulf will find that a plus. Just remember that the first job is the hardest to get. Good Luck!!

VS