Job Discussion Forums

Armbar · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 11

I want to know approximately what I can ask for in the U.A.E.? A typical salary in an average school or institute based upon the following qualifications:

I have a Bachelor's in English from the U.S.
I have a TESOL certificate from (Internationaltesolcollege).
I have some (very) light experience teaching children, intermediate and adults ESL in the Gulf.

Now I know it depends upon your situation, yada yada yada, but: Apprx. what should my bargaining range be at the institutuions or schools? 5000 dhs/mo.? 10,000 dhs/mo.? Please suggest a fair amount to ask for and what NOT to go settle for. (I'm also married w/ 2 offspring).

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Armbar,

I find your question rather odd because I don't know anyone who successfully did any negotiation on salary in the Gulf. But, my experience has been at university level. They all have a set scale and you slot in according to your education and experience.

But, of course, you wouldn't be eligible for any of those jobs as they almost all require an MA and a few years of relevent experience.

One problem that I see for you is that whatever you manage to get with your credentials, I don't see how you would be able to survive financially in the Gulf with a family. I doubt that you would get tickets or housing. And, if your kids are in school, their school fees may nearly exceed your salary.

VS

nomadykaty · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 60

I've seen other posts on this thread roughly asking the same as you/ same qualifcations... within the last month or so. They've mentioned being offered about 5000-8000AED in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and RAK.

Also check Dave's job site- I saw an ad from Zayed Uni / school teachers.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

ZU wants certified experienced K-12 teachers - people with elementary or secondary school certification - so I don't think our poster would qualify.

VS

Armbar · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 11

I heard of someone w/ a TESOL only (no B.A.) but with lots experience in Saudi working at one of the oil companies in A.D. making 18 g's + benefits! But from what it looks, 5000 + no benefits is what I've seen so far. I want more than that. Any recommendations?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

without a degree? that person must have had some wasta

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

... one hears a lot of things that are not completely true.

But, perhaps if this fellow had, say, 10+ years of experience teaching in the oil business in Saudi, he would be eligible for this job. And as DMB said, he probably also has 'wasta' in that people in the AD company knew and had worked with him - and knew that he was worth paying that salary scale because he had good experience to bring to the program.

There are very few jobs paying that kind of salary at all... Don't take it personally, but right not with only an English BA (Lit?), a TESL cert, and 'light' experience, you just don't have any bargaining chip at all... pretty much bottom of the scale with lots of competition. I'd say your first job will have to be 'take what you can get' and stick it out until you have something on your CV. All you can do is keeping sending out applications...

VS

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

I don't know why more people don't just bite the bullet and get a traditional, on-campus MA in TESOL, which sometimes offers one or two years of TA experience along with the degree. Both of my master's degrees were free (with stipend thrown in) because the assistantships were a required part of both degrees. Lately, after 20 years in EFL, I applied for yet a third one, an MFA in creative writing, and I applied only to programs that offered assistantships, and got an offer. (I'm not going, but that's beside the point.) Free tuition plus a small salary, $800-$1000/mo, enough to scrape by, sharing an apartment. I don't know why this strategy is not discussed more often...everybody seems to either take out student loans or avoid the degree altogether. So, my advice? Internet-research the MATESOL programs that offer teaching assistantships and rack up some more experience while getting the degree for free!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

ahem... Global... I have mentioned the American University in Cairo's Fellowship program on these boards a number of times. That is how I got my MA for free... or rather I taught to pay for it.

The problem is that someone who is married with a couple of kids might have trouble managing the low stipends... unless the spouse can work if it is a US based university.

But, this is certainly a good option for Americans. I don't know if the UK or elsewhere has these programs or not.

VS

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

VS is right. A small stipend will not support a family of 4 so that is probably why many of us do not go that route. My f/t job still gives me enough time to work on my masters degree and be able to complete it in 2 years.
So while a masters degree may be "free", it would take the place of 2 years of f/t employment. If I were single, I certainly would study on campus.