Job Discussion Forums

[Tabish]

Hi. I am desperately seeking employment as a teacher overseas. I have a BA and a TESOL certification. All the job searhces over the net are weilding nothing. Any suggestions?

[veiledsentiments]

Have you searched this board? Have you gone to the International jobs board? Have you used google?

What are your interests? What is your experience?

Your question is way too vague...

VS

[turtlepi1]

You didn't highlight your work experience so I will assume it is also "light".
Nevermind I found your experience.

[Tabish]

Sorry to be "vague" but I'm being honest instead of sounding like someone who is pretending to know something about somehting he does not. These are the websites I have consulted so far apart from this one:

Globaltesol.com
TEFL.com
Tesall.com
transitionsabroad.com

So do you think it would be relatively easier to secure a position in the far east before I find the location I want?

[veiledsentiments]

To be honest, the Gulf is not a good choice for the beginner teacher. Search the board... there is a ton of information here. This is not a part of the world where one decides in June to go there and teach next month.

I think to go to the Far East for a few years would be a good choice. In fact, if you are serious about teaching in the Middle East, your next step would be to get an MA. Once that is completed, start looking for ME jobs. There are good jobs here, but you need an MA with at least three years of 'related' experience. Most Gulf jobs are university level academic English.

VS

[Tabish]

I have no problems getting an MA. But one of the reasons I took this TESOL course was to leave the US and work overseas. I do not see myself toughing it out here for another 3 years to get an MA and then look for work. I must do them simultaneously. If not UAE, then it will have to be someplace else. Can I get a TESOL MA or related MA somewhere abroad?

[veiledsentiments]

Not unless you already have the money to pay for it. In the UAE with no credentials or experience, you would barely make enough to eat, no less pay for tuition for an MA. It is very expensive to fly there and very expensive to live there. The cost of living is like urban US.

There are internet MAs. The American University in Cairo offers an MA in TEFL, but it is very expensive. They have a Fellowship program, which provides you with free tuition and a small stipend, but it is too late for this year. If you apply late in 2005, you 'might' be chosen for Fall 2006 semester. To get that you need a BA in education and/or just a BA if you have some good teaching background. (see their website for information)

VS

[cmp45]

Hi,
If you are interested in getting your foot in the Middle East door You can find teaching jobs with a BA and TESOL cert. to gain some experience in the Middle East. However be prepared to keep your expectations low and work your way up.
This is exactly what I did. I got a job in the UAE soon after I got my TESOL Cert (have a BA) and was offered a job in Fujairah, UAE.
Now believe me it was not the best job and many would say it was the worst job ever teaching at a Technical Highschool with ASPECT and UAE Ed dept. But I stuck it out for 3 years and learned alot. It was a tough gig since the students were really spoilt and undisaplined. But I had a great after school life. I didn't save much but I gained the needed experience. I then applied for a job at Prince Sultan College for Hotel and Tourism in Abha, Saudi arabia and taught there for 3 years. I managed to pay off all my debts in the 3 years there (over 30,000 CAD.) I learned lots there too but left because they don't give pay raises. So decided to move on.
I am now working at IPA in Riyadh, KSA going onto my 3rd year. I enjoy the work at IPA and now am working on a Masters Degree part time long distance.
I gradually worked my way up the ESL ladder not only the pay scale but in terms of a better contract and calibur of students. Take your time and get the experience and if you can't find a job in the Middle East then by all means go further East!
And now for my sage advice! THERE ARE NO BAD CHOICES! You can learn something even from the worst of situations. So although you strive to get the best situation sometimes by starting off at the bottom makes the next job look easy! and the next easier...take a chance and go for it.
Just do it! Apply to the places you want ~send lots of applications out. See what comes back and then narrow down your options. I almost ended up going to Korea until the last minute, I got the job in the UAE so really it is luck most of the time being in the right place at the right time. Also definitely get your resume done up professionally and write a great cover letter. I started off with the worst teaching job but with each new job it slowly got better and better. I think I made the right choices. But everyone has their own idea of what is right for them. Also if you are looking at a long term career in TESOL I would avoid those language centers.
GOOD LUCK

[Tabish]

Thanks for all that feedback CMP. I have a question. Should I only apply to listings I see on the net or should I choose a country I wish to work in, look up schools there and send them my CV/cover letter? On some of the messages on the forum, it was mentioned that doing an MA overseas would be too costly. Here, I can actually take loans(NYC) but one of the allures of TESOL was to get outa here in the first place. It's too late to be wary of language institutions. I have already paid a pretty penny and taken the course. I have a BA and a TESOL certificate. The places I have looked in so far include Indonesia, Brazil, Spain and UAE. I have had little or no responses. Perhaps because summer time is a slow time hiring wise.
I am getting discouraged and if I don;t get some sorta response soon, its back to the drawing board.

[veiledsentiments]

As relates to the Middle East, it may be that you are late in the game. They begin their hiring process early in the year and have normally completed most hiring soon after TESOLArabia in March. Offers have been made and the long paperwork process begins. Everyone who can has left for cooler climes until late August or early September.

There may be some no-shows, but I suspect that you don't want to wait around till September to know anything. Other countries that you mentioned may have different schedules.

VS

[cmp45]

Just keep sending out applications. I know it seems futile but sometimes last minute jobs do come up. Sometimes other teachers don't or are unable to honor the contractual agreement and suprise openings do come up. When I applied to IPA Riyadh, the process started in early March; I was supose to arrive end of August but it took until mid October before they sorted out the visa etc. I almost gave up but stuck it out and did manage to get in.
It is especially hard to advise someone on what is best way to job search.
I found all my jobs on the Dave's ESL!
If you have time try doing several different searches. Typing in various phrases: such as: teaching abroad/ teaching english second language in name of country /employment abroad in English second language/ You get the idea?

At the age of 30, my very first job was a volunteer position in Africa with World University Service of Canada I taught in Africa for 3 years. It was there that I decided after to get into TESOL. I found that I really did have a knack for teaching. I 'volunteer' taught Art (and English p/t ~since they had a shortage of English teachers at the time) with just a Bachelors Degree in ART!
I taught at a secondary school in rural Botsawna. It was huge culture shock for me and took nearly 1 1/2 years to get over the shock of such a different way of life. It was difficult adjusting because it was my first overseas position. But it was the most exhilerating experience of my life! Ever since that time in Africa traveling and working in various parts of the world have become much easier and one does learn how to accomodate and recognize how to adapt. Keeping a flexible and open mind; a sense of humor helps too.
Just keep looking ...even inquire into volunteer agencies( if you are young ) it may be a way to start.
Just rememeber to find an organization that can pay for your airfare and stipend for living allowance and has a support network (field officer in the host country).

Here are some contacts that you may try...
I worked here for 3 years and was okay for me.
Prince Sultan College for Hotel and Tourism, Abha, KSA(men only)
[email protected] contact Brian Armstrong
( but usually by this time they have already hired for the fall but no harm in inquiring, when I applied they accepted people with a Bachelors degree and TESOL but this may have changed and now may only accept people with a Masters; unless they are unable to recruit them they sometimes settle for other less qualifications)
keep in mind also applying for Mid East Jobs requires patience!

some of these websites may or may not be of use:
www.4arabia.com
www.arabia.com
www.careermideast.com
www.gulfjobs.com
www.jobline.net

But most of the best jobs in the middleast do prefer some Mid east experience and a Masters Degree but having said that anything is possible if you are determined. I think Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, China and Eastern Europe are best bets for securing that needed experience.
In the end you will have to decide what is best for you and keeping a vigilant attitude and also be wary..if its too good to be true then 99.9% of the time is a scam.
Things to look for:
1. Provide airfare there and back to home residence each year.
2 Salary is enough to at least live on ( You are interested in gaining experience remember) So you may not get the highest paid position to start.
3. Accommodation: single or shared ~they usually should pay for this too
4. Contract read carefully: hours teaching per week etc. How does it work out with salary offered/ Overtime pay? Holidays? Students age range
( I personally prefer to teach adults. I tried teaching children but found I don't have the patience. It is exhausting. LOL)
5. Can you contact any teachers that worked/ currently work at the school ~ ask if they are available to speak with or e-mail
6. You should not have to pay to apply for any job!
7. Be wary if they offer a job with no interview. Even a telephone interview is better than nothing. or at the very least you are able to contact someone who has worked at the school.
8. Lastly even if you do by chance end up in a 'bad' position as sometimes happens try to fullfill the contract then just move on. That way you can at least use it on your resume. You will learn as much and maybe more from a "bad" experience" as a good one. But preferably you will get a decent job; no position is ever 100% perfect.
Employers like consistency and reliablity. I try to stay at one job for at least 3 years. As one gets older the time does go by faster!!! LOL
Hang in there!

[cmp45]

500 Teachers Wanted In Taiwan. (Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hualien, Taichung, Chia Yi and Pingtung)

Posted By: Asiarecruiters Inc. <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, 21 June 2005, at 10:17 a.m.

What do you think about this job as a place to apply?
I think it would be a good place to try for some one looking to relocate quickly and gain experience and a chance to discover the far East the advertisement is convincing.
Anyone agree or disagree?

[veiledsentiments]

You're asking this on the UAE board? Shouldn't you ask that question on the appropriate board? Is there a Taiwan board?

Or are you just suggesting that the OP look into this ad?

VS

[cmp45]

OOPs it was only meant to generate discussion for tabish ...and possibilities for that poster.

You are right. I wasn't thinking about the specific forum we are in when I posted.
I wasn't questioning the ad only suggesting the job possibility for tabish .

I have too much time on my hands...now that school is out!

[veiledsentiments]

A common summer problem on this board.

VS