Job Discussion Forums

[bron]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience, VeiledSentiments.

I am weighing my options carefully, and haven't ruled out Morocco or Tunisia (probably Tunisia, heard great things about it, and not-so-great about Morocco) or staying in Turkey. But I really do want to thoroughly investigate all possibilities before I make a decision.

So, just a couple of really specific follow-up questions.

Is there anything in between a language institute and a fully-fledged university in the Gulf states? Would community colleges and government agencies be more flexible on requirements, given a good interview or what have you, than universities? What is the best situation I can hope for (not expect, just hope for) in the ME?

I've been researching CELTAs to brush up my TEFL (which still looks remarkably good on paper, given it's 120 hours and accredited by the Canadian government) and found that there are several in the Gulf states, although the ones in the UAE were the only ones I could find course details on. Would these courses have employment counsellors (or anything similar) specifically helping people to find jobs in the region? They're quite expensive, but I'd be willing to fork out the extra cash if I thought it could give me any sort of an "in" in the job market.

[veiledsentiments]

[bron]

Well, to be honest, going to the Gulf isn't my long-term goal, and I'm not at all sure that I want to be there when I'm in my 30s. Like a lot of people, I'm attracted by the money, which I would put towards further academic studies. I know I could go to Korea or Japan, but Islam and the Middle East are my areas of interest both generally and academically, so if I want to fund my studies this way, it makes most sense for me to try to go to the Gulf states.

If I choose to go to Tunisia or Morocco, or stay in Turkey, then that would be an independent choice, and I would be resigning myself to applying and re-applying every year both for the programme I want to go to and for scholarships for it. It's quite possibly a choice I will make -- just travel around the "more interesting" and "more liberal" Arabic-speaking countries and teach, applying at intervals to get back into academia, and seeing where the wind takes me. But if I do that, I think it's likely that I'll never go to the Gulf as a TEFL teacher.

I've avoided saying this because I want it to be clear that I also take my job seriously. I consider teaching my career now, and I want to be the best teacher I can. But I was told in high school that people my age will change career up to six times... so I'm prepared for that!

Thanks for the info about the CELTA. I guess I'll probably look either at one in Cairo or one run through my local YMCA in Vancouver, if doing one in the UAE won't necessarily be beneficial... and keep trolling through job ads until I find something that I think I want to do -- in the Gulf or out of it!

[younggeorge]

[bron]

I think most CELTAs are "as reputable as any" from what I've heard... I've not found any ranking of them, though!

I've been saving like mad at my current job and could afford to pay extra for a CELTA in the UAE if I thought it would help in a job search in the region, but if that's not the case, I might as well get an equally reputable but more economical one somewhere else.

[younggeorge]

[bron]

If I'd have no greater chance of getting a job in the region because of it, then I agree with you. But I don't know what you mean by "my position."

[younggeorge]

[bron]

Ah, got you. But the full-time CELTA only takes a month... if I had enough money, surely I could just pay for accommodation and living for that month? This isn't guaranteed, I'll admit. The CELTA itself in these regions is expensive, and paying to stay there might be out of my reach. But I understand that most CELTA programs (at least the reputable ones) will help you find an affordable place to stay?

For the record, I do have a 120 hour TEFL cert, which seems to be what most people are looking for. But yes, the CELTA would definitely add to what I learned in that course, and of course has the advantage of being more recognised (I've also considered the Trinity, which is supposedly just as good academically, but fewer schools seem to mention it as acceptable). So, I fully intend to upgrade my TEFL... but I wonder if some places might not look at me on the knowledge that I have the TEFL and experience, and plan to upgrade to CELTA?

By international schools, do you mean primary schools? I thought one had to be a certified teacher in one's home country (so in my case, have a BEd from Canada or use my British passport to get a PGCE in the UK) in order to teach in those.

Or do you mean international schools offering the CELTA?

Sorry, feel like a total newbie for being unclear on that.

[younggeorge]

[veiledsentiments]

Bron,

Let me jump in again. I'm sure that the CELTA programs in the UAE are good, but they are really only sensible money-wise for those who are already living there. (and that is their target market)

I think the idea of doing it in Cairo (a fun place to spend a month... or at least it will be an experience... ) is good. You would have the benefit of doing it in an Arabic speaking country without the expense of living in the gulf. You could check out the job situation and make some good contacts there.

If you can do it in Vancouver and perhaps stay with family and friends for free, that would be just as good. In particular if it would allow you to use your savings for future needs.

Sometimes it is easier if one doesn't have so many choices.

VS

[bron]

No, actually, it's useful to know anything about what's available! It's good to know that they're reputable programs, and as for finding out about accommodation, I could just get in touch with the appropriate people and ask. I know it varies from course to course -- some CELTA courses offer package deals that include accommodation, some will help you find cheap accommodation, and some, it seems, offer nothing along those lines! It's down to me to find out what the deal is with that.

Since you're in the UAE, though, I wonder if you can give me more detailed information about the working situation there. Everyone speaks of private language schools there in hushed voices as though they really are the worst things on earth, and while I'm prepared to believe people aren't lying about that, I can't help but wonder if there might not be differing standards at work. Maybe it would help if I laid out what I am and am not willing to accept.

I currently work for what is, complaints and bickering aside, one of the better language schools in İstanbul. And it's not perfect here; nonetheless, I've stayed for almost two years now because on balance it's been a good experience.

I make about CN1,600 per month for an average of 27 hours of teaching per week (planning, travelling to company classes and admin work is on top of that). Accommodation is provided at no cost. It's not great -- pretty dilapidated, in fact -- but my two roommates are fun! The last few months I've put myself on a strict budget of about CN750 per month (a daily budget of CN25) which has comfortably allowed me to eat, clothe myself, go to films and restaurants, have the occasional drink, and even buy extras like bedding when appropriate linens weren't provided for my bedroom. This means that I've been saving about CN850 per month, give or take. My salary fluctuates because I'm paid by the hour. This means if a class finishes and is not immediately replaced, if I'm ill and a class is cancelled, or if my hours drop for any other reason, I lose money. At the end of my contract I will be paid a flight and end-of-contract bonus. I'm not sure what these will work out for, but I'm guessing they'll top out at about the equivalent of a month-and-a-half's salary.

So, that's my financial situation. Obviously I'd hope to be saving more than I am now if I took a job in the Gulf, otherwise I might as well stay in Turkey or go somewhere else that might be more "appealing."

In terms of workload, I've said that I work an average of 27 teaching hours a week and that's currently true, but the school went through a shortage of teachers for awhile when we were all working in the mid- to high-thirties. I survived. In fact, if things are so boring there, maybe it would be good to be working more!

In terms of school management I depend more on my British DOS for help and sympathy than on the Turkish staff. The photocopier running out of paper or toner, problems in the apartment not being fixed fast enough, problems with students not being attended to (like they've squirreled their way into Upper Intermediate when they should still be in Pre-, and so forth) are annoying, but frankly, I can live with them. Complete disorganisation, I mean, to chaos levels, where no attempt is made to keep track of classes and students whatsoever, I don't get paid on time or the right amount, or my teaching environment doesn't resemble one at all (no whiteboard or desks) I could not live with. A bit of sloppiness, however, will not kill me. Likewise, I consider it a major bonus -- almost a necessity but not quite -- to have at least some resources available to me in terms of grammar and activity books, but the internet is a great tool. Likewise for teacher development: I'd like someone to take a (professionally informed) interest in how I teach my classes -- but if not, I can try to improve myself, experience being the best teacher!

In terms of living conditions, I'm willing to live with no better than I have now -- an old and fairly delapidated flat, with questionable (hot) water supplies, occasional blackouts, unidentified stains on the carpet, peeling paint, missing tiles, and a small room. I don't plan on taking many things with me. Obviously *nice* accommodation would be much preferred, but I'll take the baseline of what I can get or afford! Bugs not appreciated however... and given the heat, I suppose some form of air-conditioning is a MUST... but I also assume it's a given in ME flats!

I understand that language schools in the Gulf don't tend to include accommodation in their contracts. I can live with this too as long as it would be possible for me to procure accommodation for myself, and as long as the rent for it wouldn't cut into my salary so much that I'm not saving anymore than I do here... which puts me back at the beginning -- primary goal is to save more.

Socially, I've got great friends in the teachers I work with and my students are generally very friendly and supportive. I spent a fair amount of time going to the centre of İst and bar-hopping, but I've got tired of it... it's not really my scene, I usually end up falling asleep beside a window. I can definitely live without that.

What I envision for myself in terms of hobbies in the "boring" surroundings of the Gulf are: working -- planning my lessons and organising my resources; reading -- hopefully supplied with care packages of books from my loving friends and family back home, or else from ones I've ordered online myself; watching TV if I have one -- if not, more reading; joining a gym if possible; and cooking, which I love. I truly can be happy in this simple of a life, given that I'll have a goal.

So tell me... what have I missed? I'm guessing it must be the work environment in these language schools and less reputable universities which is the real problem and will send me running away from them, screaming. Please enlighten me... details are my friends.

Edit: Ooooops, VS, we cross-posted. You're right, it is the absolute wealth of choices available to me that is driving me mad. Basically I'm teetering on the brink of trying to find the quickest way possible to a "dependable" career, home and family or just saying "can do that later, chuck it for now," and deciding to roam the globe and have fun for a few years.

Yes, I think I'm basically between Cairo (which sounds super fun) and Vancouver at the moment, and if the latter, I think I could stay with my parents. Someone just put a monkey wrench in the works by telling me there's a cheaper one in Bulgaria, though! On the other hand, not sure how reputable that'd be....

[veiledsentiments]

Just a quick response... Bulgaria would probably be cheaper, but I still think that there is at least a small advantage to doing it in an Arabic speaking country. So, I would put Egypt first, camping out with the parents second, and Bulgaria if you were looking to teach in Europe...

As to the Gulf and language school employment - things are pretty fancy and new, but also very expensive as far as housing goes. I don't think I had my electicity go out once!! Most everything is very expensive, so the low pay of the language schools doesn't allow any savings or much splurging. North Africa or the Levant would be my choice until your CV has 2 or 3 years of good related experience. Then, you could apply to the decent university level employers - using that unrelated MA to a bit of advantage - where you can save money and still live very well.

VS

[kernow]

FYI CELTA is also available in Lebanon at ALLC (American Lebanese Language Center) International House, Beirut.

[bron]

Thanks, all. I agree, VS -- Bulgaria does not appeal. I've been there on a border run a few times, had a nice little "weekend" in Sofia once, but not fantastic enough to make me want to spend much more time there.

Beirut might be interesting, though, thanks kernow! I'll try and compare what they're offering with Cairo.