Job Discussion Forums

[james_baldrey]

So here is my situation......graduated from UK uni with BA and MSc in Business Management and international Management. Did 2 years teaching english at a Thai college. Then went back to UK to do my CELTA (grade A) and then came to Korea where i wll finish my one year university contract next February.

I had planned to do an MA in Tesol in Thailand, but now i am sooooo confused! I would like to teach in the middle east and other countries at good universities so will a master degree from Thailand hold any weight when i apply for jobs in the middle east?
After all that (Sorry!!) what advice would you give in terms of the next qualification i should do? Any advice woudl be most welcome!!

Cheers!

[veiledsentiments]

I am confused... so are you interested in the Middle East? or Saudi Arabia? This is on the Saudi thread, not the Middle East General thread. Answers could vary... since Saudi is but one country which differs greatly from the others.

In general I would say get an MA. But is this from a Thai university? It may not be recognized by the Gulf ministries. A distance degree from a well-known 'Western' university might be better.

Read about on these boards and you will likely find many discussions on degrees and various employers.

VS (on edit: ahh... now I see that you double posted)

[ctmiezio]

Hey James. I sit next to you in the office (it's Chris).

Anyway you have a MSc from a British university and truthfully, I'd bet this would be enough. Another master's is a pain in the ass, even in Thailand (remember what studying was like?) so I'd try applying with what you have already. Also it's a good time to apply to Saudi jobs. The violence seems to be down, but most people are still spooked, so there is high demand for teachers.

Re: a Thai degree, I don't really know for sure, but my gut feeling is this wouldn't do you a lot of good. Employers are looking for a North AMerican/Aussie/English profile. A Thai degree would raise questions in their minds which increases the chance your resume would go in the trash can.

[veiledsentiments]

...so... you guys are not speaking?

It is strange enough when people in the same office send emails or voice messages... but communicating over an internet discussion board?

VS

[Tomton]

And a Thai degree will not be recognised in KSA since there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries. A first degree, with a CELTA and teaching experience should suffice for a decently paid job in Saudi Arabia.

[Stephen Jones]

[Tomton]

May be I'm wrong but my understanding is that there is no Ambassador but a Charge d'Affaires and although there are diplomatic relations there are not full diplomatic relations. Also, there are no direct flights between the two countries and a Saudi going to Thailand without permission will face tough questions or even imprisonment on return.

[Stephen Jones]

It's quite possible that relations are downgraded.

However westerners working in Thailand have got Saudi visas at the embassy with no problem; they are apparently very helpful.

The question over the validity of Masters degrees would have to be done on a country-to-country and case-to-case basis.

[james_baldrey]

So far i haven't been able to get a definite answer as to whether universities in KSA would recognise an MA from Thailand or not.

Some have said yes, others no, and probably the most sensible answer was too ask the institutions themselves.I really do want to work at universities throughout the world, but the course fees and accomodation costs in the UK are just so astronomical at the moment so studying in the UK would be near impossible to do!

UK: Tuition + Accomodation : 16,000 USD
Thailand : Tuition + Accomodation : 8,000 USD

Is there any point in emailing universities and asking if it would be accepted?

Any other ideas?

[Stephen Jones]

[JZer]