Job Discussion Forums

[crocus]

If you don't mind, a general question to any of you who may have experienced the Job Fair in the past:

when / if one is interviewed there, are recruiters able to tell you whether they will make an offer, or is it one of those 'We'll be in touch soon.' and you wait for months until the day before they want you to start? Of course, by then the time for you to hand in your resignation at your present job is long gone.

Thanks for any input.

Crocus

[veiledsentiments]

Crocus,

From people that I have talked to after the conference for the last few years, it is a mixed bag. I know people that got immediate offers (assuming references checked out). I know people that were immediately told that they didn't meet the needs. But, most have to wait a varying time. Those same employers who drag their feet under normal circumstances will likely continue to do so.

Job hunting is nothing but aggravation in most cases. Good Luck!!

VS

[crocus]

VS

As always, thank you. We'll see how it goes this weekend.

Crocus

[crocus]

Well, just back from TESOL Arabia and I quite enjoyed the experience, a bit to my surprise. I've been asked privately to let you know what I thought about it, as a newbie, so here goes (Remember that this is a subjective viewpoint please.).

The registration procedure was very slick - congratulations to the organisers: conference book with programme / pads of paper /mouse mat / pens, pencils, highlighters / coffee vouchers / neck pouch for delegate ticket / yet another flight bag - everything that you needed really.

The sessions were very varied, and I was certainly able to get in to most of what I wanted to listen to - a few were filled up rather too quickly, so a bit of a disappointment for some.

The book exhibition was well organised and I thought there was a good selection of exhibitors: I mananaged to mooch quite a few inspection copies to bring back with me, so I was rather pleased about that.

The Job Fair (which was my main reason for going) was a bit of a disappointment, but then I may have had unrealistic expectations. I had had the feeling that the majority of employers in this region took the opportunity to recruit at this time, but this didn't seem to be the case. Oman:- SQU; CfBT; HCT; MECIT; a few others. UAE:- HCT; University of Sharjah; UGRU; ADNOC (men only); Al Hosn Uni; Abu Dhabi Uni. Kuwait and Yemen:- possibly a couple of jobs each. Qatar:- Qatar Uni; College of the North Atlantic + I think ?two private organisations. KSA:- quite a lot, but with one exception, all for men. A few of the organisations too, were only taking resumes and not interviewing, which struck me as a bit strange.

Still, I managed a couple of interviews followed by a job offer from each, so no complaints on that score. The interviewers I met were extremely pleasant and did not hit me with any unexpectedly awkward questions. I heard the same from applicants who had interviewed with other interviewers so I suspect everyone did their jobs competently and sympathetically (which is what it should be, but sometimes isn't!).

Complaints? Pretty minor: a) the hotel is a bit far away from anywhere, so if you are hanging around waiting for an interview there is nowhere to go to pass the time. b) buying refreshments in the hotel was pretty expensive, as you would expect in that level of hotel. c) there was not enough seating in the main areas of the hotel. Still, if those are my only complaints then, for me, it was an overall positive experience.

If you have any questions about anything I've either said or not mentioned, please feel free to ask.

All the best,
Crocus

[veiledsentiments]

Thanks Crocus,

I went to the first TESOLArabia conference way back when and they were very well organized from the first. The fellow that supervised that first foray had experience with the big TESOL conference in the US. Thus, they got to avoid making too many mistakes.

The job fair sounded like a round-up of the usual suspects. Glad to hear that you got a couple of offers. I've communicated with another job searcher and he also got a number of offers - and a couple hanging. There are always those who don't actually know until the end of the current semester exactly how many teachers that they will need next year.

Are you going to take one of those offers?

VS

[Truth Hurts]

Hi

Went this year... and this is definitely my LAST time. The sessions were dead boring! Many presentation were poorly presented. And if you're already based in the UAE and looking for jobs, I really can't see the point in going.

A lot of people seemed to share my view. This year was a real flop. Unless they change their act, TESOL Arabia is on its way out. In short, a miserable performance!

TH

[veiledsentiments]

These conferences tend to be mostly for new people and those looking for jobs - AND - for those employed by those institutions who are heavily into 'professional development' and consider the teacher's giving a presentation some kind of obligation. Personally after about my third year in the field, these presentations were pretty boring. I pretty much went to meet with friends and 'network.'

VS

[spicegirl]

OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive (unless you're getting reimbursed by your employer)..... in the past, you could register for just one of the three days, but over the last few years, you have to pay for all three days, even if you can't go on the Wednesday, due to teaching commitments. Then you feel you have to stay over in a hotel, which adds to the expense. TESOL Arabia conferences have become big business (though they say they're non-profit making). Anyone who wanted to offer their services as a volunteer had to register and pay their money like everyone else (with a few exceptions who obviously knew the right people). There's not a lot that's new, and pretty much the same things are presented again and again with a different title each year.

I was shocked to overhear (in the coffee lounge) one of the keynote/featured speakers from the UK telling one of his cronies that he didn't really know what he was going to say, and didn't really understand what they'd asked him to speak about. They discussed this for about 10 minutes, and he then said that he now had a vague idea of what he would present. I assume that TESOL Arabia had paid for his hotel, his airfare and other expenses, out of the funds provided by the registration and membership fees, and here he was, a well-known figure in the language-teaching world, not having even bothered to prepare his presentation. In turn, I didn't bother to attend his session. Another of the featured speakers (or maybe the same person) managed not to turn up for one of his own sessions - an unfortunate mistake, but not very professional.

Yes, it was well organised, and I applaud all those who took part in setting it up. Personally, though, I question whether it needs to be so big and grand. A lot of my colleagues go there mainly in the hope of meeting old friends from the past, or to attend the job fair. Sorry if I sound cynical, but I feel lucky if I attend just one session out of 10 that turns out to be useful or interesting, and that's not very much for your money! I guess that the proposals submitted to the selection committee often sound more interesting that the reality turns out to be - the selectors have no control over that, of course.

[veiledsentiments]

Spicegirl,

I wonder how much it upped the costs for the organization to make the move to Dubai from Al-Ain. Interesting that I have heard very much the same complaints about the regular TESOL here in the US. It seems that the bigger these things get, the more they cost, and the less actual substance is there.

As to the keynote speaker, I have heard such unprofessional news about quite a few of the so-called luminaries in our field before. It says something about the profession.

Think of it as a chance to interview for a new job and perhaps meet some people who already work there. And if you get a good job, the high cost of the conference becomes acceptable.

VS

[whatgoesaround]

[Stephen Jones]

[Sheikhspeare]

What was the best presentation in your view? Jack Richards - as expected - was dreadful, I hear. I went to Adrian Holliday's presentation. I though it was quite good but it was stuff I already knew.

W

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Cool - I love these things!

[Mark100]

With the fall of the US dollar many of the jobs in the Middle East are not very attractive these days unless you happen to be a US citizen.
(I know quite a few Brits who have packed their packs as it is no longer viable for them)

Has this fact affected interest in TESOL Arabia?

I have heard a lot of comments that it has become a rip off and that in many cases you don't really have a much greater chance of getting a job by attending which for most people is the reason for attending.

[whatgoesaround]