Job Discussion Forums

irish rose · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

Hi,
Just wondering about the teaching qualifications needed to teach in the middle east? I've been looking through different threads and still don't know whether or not I would be able to get a job somewhere. I'm a qualified primary school teacher, with a Batchelor of Education degree and two years teaching here in Ireland. I also have a 40 hour TEFL cert and a Summers experience teaching English in China. Would that be enough?

Also, my boyfriend will have his Batchelor of Ed. next May and also has a TEFL cert. We would love to go for a year. What would be the best country or school for us to start trying for work?

Any help at all would be appreciated - thanks!

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

I'm certain that you both could get jobs. But, they wouldn't be great jobs or great paying jobs. If you just want to sample to see the countries or culture, I would suggest the Levant or North Africa. They are more fun and you live more within the culture. (in the Gulf, you tend to be with other expats) Plus if you are unmarried, they are a bit more casual about foreigner escapades.

The K-12 International schools would hire you (not the top of the line places... they are very competitive). They can be difficult with 'eccentric' managements and unruly kids, but for a year or two it could be an experience.

Your boyfriend could probably pick up something part-time in the language schools. You won't make much money, but you will be able to support yourselves and have an 'intersting' time.

I would look at Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon or even Turkey.

VS

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

This is not what you want to hear. If you were married your chances of getting hired in the Middle East would increase.

Sorry for the political un-correctness !

You should also check out the spelling of Bachelor. You spell it the way a processed food company does. If it is an academic award, my version is more conventional.

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

I agree Albulbul - but this is more true in the Gulf than the places I mentioned. And if money is not your first goal, why go to the rather boring Gulf? Laughing

One can easily 'pretend' marriage in the Levant or North Africa... Gulf employers require proof...

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Gulf ? Boring ? I think it is quite exciting. Why, only a few weeks back there was another shootout just down the road from here.

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

Well yes, Saudi does offer perks that other places don't yet have. But, I doubt that this couple is considering going there anyway. Cool

Especially considering their unmarried state...

VS

abufletcher · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:03 pm Post subject:

I'd say you're right on the edge of employability for the lower end language school jobs in the Middle East.

I have to agree with VS that the Gulf, while a great place to stay for a longer haul, is just not as intereting on a day to day bases as places like Egypt, Morocco or Turkey. Granted that Oman is a pretty damn stunning country but Yemen has far more to offer from a traveler's point of view.

The chances of both you and your BF finding work in the same place at the same time are probably slim.

irish rose · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

thanks a mill for all the tips (and spelling advise!) ... i've e-mailed my cv to a few schools and haven't heard back, so might have to re-think going to this part of the world. we spent the summer in china and it was so easy to get work, were really hoping it would be the same here, would love to go somewhere in the middle east.

are there any couples in our situation who managed to get work anywhere in the middle east?

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

This is not the time of year for job hunting. Asia has the advantage - if that is the right word - of many language schools hiring all the time.

In the ME, the vast majority of jobs follow the usual academic calendar. So, those applying now will be for jobs starting next August or September.

The ME has never been a 'walk in and get a job' kind of place - married or unmarried... (and remember that most of these countries have laws on the books making co-habitation a serious crime - so best to know what you're doing...)

VS

irish rose · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

thanks vs

we're not going until next summer or so. i'm trying to organise a career break at the moment for next year, but i'd rather know whether or not i'd get something for the year somewhere in the middle east before i leave my job here. we spent the summer teaching in china, which was great, but i'd rather not go back to asia just yet.

thanks again, guess i'll just keep looking!

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958