Job Discussion Forums

[Jasmeen]

After unsuccessfully trawling through a few threads, I'm hoping no one would mind jotting a few ideas on working in Beirut.

I've a BA Communications, an LLB and CELTA and I'm keen to begin my teaching career in the ME. I'm seriously considering courses in Arabic in the city to enhance my networking skills in the region and, notwithstanding that I've read plenty of comments to the effect that this isn't the easiest region to begin this career, I am damn keen.

I gather that I may not be eligible for lots of perks (accom, medical, airfares) at this stage but would like to know what conditions I shouldn't accept - mainly for the sake of fellow professionals.

I read somewhere on this forum that US$1000 is ok for a base salary for about 20 hours/week at my stage. Any comments? (Will I starve? Be unfairly undercutting other teachers?)

Are private colleges my best bet for work? Any good ones apart from AMIDEAST?

Are universities mainly the domain of highly experienced MS TESOL holders or open to developing new teachers?

Are there particular institutions known to offer skills development as part of the job?

I'm unaware of any ESL Conferences in my part of the world from which I can gather this info on the ME so I'd be SUPER grateful if anyone could spare a few lines on any of the above.

Cheers

[veiledsentiments]

[Jasmeen]

Thanks, VS.

LLB = Bachelor of Laws

What's the difference between a language school and a private college? Is the latter a comprehensive school (i.e. for children)? Am I ineligible for "language schools"?

AMIDEAST are in Beirut according to their website.

[veiledsentiments]

Bachelor of Law? So, you are a lawyer? or pre-Law?

A college is like a small university... awards degrees, but normally only 2 or 4 years degrees... rarely MAs or PhDs.

A language school teaches language only... to children or adults... no credits or degrees. It is about all you are eligible to teach at the moment.

Primary and Secondary schools normally require teaching degrees with certification (just like in Canada...)

VS

[Jasmeen]

I have Law Degree. I am a Law Graduate. I am not a lawyer.

It takes a short, specific course or several years of hard labour to attain that status where I'm from and I'm more interested in sharing my skills and knowledge in developing countries (because one learns so much!).

So might Private colleges need teachers of the Law as well as English?

How about argument/advocacy, public speaking, presentation skills, even drama???

There are so many ways of getting to English comprehension and practise through those avenues.

I'm familiar with students from SE Asian countries countries seeking the completion of college degrees abroad and learning specific English and study skills to prepare. Are there similar opportunities for pre-university ESL and other teaching at ME private colleges???

Do English newspapers ever employ native speaking "coaches/editors" (for want of a more accurate title)?

And, while I'm at this 20-questions business, what the hell IS the meaning of life anyway???

[veiledsentiments]

So, let me get this right... you studied law, but you seem to think 'lawyer' is a bad word - judging from your emoticon choice?? Law in the Middle East is Muslim law and often taught by Imams. And, it is taught in Arabic.

Meaning of life? afraid to even go there...

As to most of your ideas, I can only speak about the Middle East. English teaching in the ME is basically two things. Many of the unis teach in English (long story... ) after the students have spent 12 years studying in Arabic. Thus, the first year or two, most students spend learning Academic English to prepare them - with an emphasis on reading and writing as these are their weak skills. This teaching almost always requires an MA in TEFL or Linguistics and 3-5 years of academic teaching experience. Once in awhile these teachers get called on to teach speech or lit. The majority of ME jobs are in this category and you wouldn't be eligible.

The second type of English teaching is most common type in places like North Africa and the Levant, which is improving general English skills for job purposes. This is taught in language schools. One problem as relates to your teaching ideas is that most of these places have set books and programs and rarely allow much teacher creativity. This is the place that most EFL teachers start because it can usually be done with a Cert of some sort.

There may be a handful of people employed at newspapers or magazines as editors and journalists, but the pay is very low. The people that I have known who did this were aspiring journalist/writers.

Actually when I read your ideas I felt that you would probably find more jobs related to your interests in Asia. They seem to have a more free wheeling system over there.

VS

[Jasmeen]

Thanks again to VS, who's candid responses are helpful.

I have no problem with set books and curricula. My "teaching ideas" are just a lateral approach to finding/creating work opportunities.

I know people in the EFL/ESL world are characteristically disinclined to even ballpark on salaries but...

When VS says the pay for CELTA grads is only just enough to survive on, is she talking around US$1200/m for a minimum 25 hour week? Because accom and food alone appear to be around US$1000/m. That's not even speculating on transport, health and modest leisure expenses (not big clubber/drinker type)!

I'd be super pleased is anyone can can elucidate this stuff. And I'm more than keen to publish what I discover about Beirut/Lebanon for the benefit of others once I've got a little experience.

BTW, VS, what is "low pay" for those friends employed as editors and journalists? Was fluency in Arabic required?

[veiledsentiments]

[Jasmeen]

Beirut.
Lebanon.

Not the gulf.
Not yet, anyway (i.e. not yet a married, 35+ MA TESOL Grad - yes, I read the other threads).

Still curious for other opinions on working in Lebanon, though, if anyone would like to share them.

Has not anyone out there taught in this mediterranean "resort city"? This home of the ME's largest circulating English broadsheet and the regional UNESCO HQ? The motherland of an Western-dwelling diaspora 3 times its population?

Or is there some tongue-getting cat that plagues the ESL industry of that country?

Jas

[veiledsentiments]

Me again... just wanted to say that it is not that they are avoiding you. In all my years on this board, there have been almost no teachers with current experience in Lebanon. I have one friend who is there, but plans to leave at the end of this year. (an MA with many years of experience who is retiring...)

I'll sneak away now...

VS

[Jasmeen]

Thanks again, VS.

I'd be interested in hearing your friend's opinion on Lebanon, the ESL industry there and how the land lies for new professionals like moi. Drop me a PM if they might be up for it...

Same goes for your journo mates, for that matter. Whatever tidbits they're happy to share is bound to be more accurate, helpful and interesting than the paragraph-long "Working in Lebanon" spiel of my guidebook!

I appreciate your comments, VS.

Cheers,

-Jas

[veiledsentiments]

Yasmeen

Sorry I can't really help all that much since they are people who would 'never' come on a board like this. My friend likes living in Beirut very much, but is ready to at least semi-retire - not to mention being a tiny bit concerned about the political situation. A couple of emails a year is big production for some people.

The journalists I knew were acquaintances, not friends, so afraid I can't reel them in either.

It seems all we have is Walt and he hasn't arrived there yet!!

VS

[kernow]

Here I am, the elusive teacher currently working in a language school in Beirut! Let's see if I can answer some of the questions that have come up...

$1000 a month for 24 contact hours is about right for CELTA+2 years' experience ($900 maybe with no experience), accom/health/airfare not included. This is not unreasonable (many local teachers in secondary schools are paid $400-$600 a month and support their families on it) and allows you to live fairly easily. Obviously, this depends a bit on where you choose to live. I read somewhere else on this site someone quoting $600-$1000 a month rent. Ouch! Yes, it's true you can pay this much if you live in large flat in the centre or in Hamra but there are places available from $200-$400.

Private health insurance costs about $60 a month for minimum cover. Buses and service (shared) taxis cost 30c/70c per trip within the city. I spend about $50 a week at the supermarket. A cinema ticket costs $5, a beer between $2 and $7 (depending where you drink it), a shwarma sandwich is $1 and going out for pizza is about $10.

Law in Lebanon is not Islamic but based on the French system so lawyers tend to speak Arabic and French (and are often taught in French). More and more are coming for English courses as they are doing more business with international companies. As a result, 'English for Law' courses are being offered in language schools. Students in language centres are often French-educated and English is their 3rd language.

As for language centres, there's Amideast, the British Council and Wall Street. In addition, the American Lebanese Language Center has recently become an International House affiliate. Those, I think, are the only international chains here. There are lots of local schools but I know very little about them or the conditions they offer.

Hope this helps

[veiledsentiments]

Hooray!! Welcome Kernow!!

Too often questioners get stuck with me as a source and my background is rather specific with the addition of an accumulation of friends here and there.

How are your fellow expats looking at the political situation? I always found that my students were so much more helpful about current events than the newspapers or TV. Is everyone still in wait and see mode?

VS