Job Discussion Forums

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 4:19 am Post subject:

At my school in the middle of Turkey, waaaaaay off the beaten track, ALL of the foreign teachers are female. And last year 3/4 were female. It's not exactly an easy place to be single, female, and foeign but we had a great time. It seems to be that way in a lot of Turkish k-12s--- very female. I think the men go to the language schools. Correct me if I'm wrong.

SweetOne · Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 109

Having no experience teaching overseas (I AM HEADED TO TURKEY, THOUGH, YAYYAAAAAAAAAA!!!), I can only speak of the gender ratio in my TESL class. There were 15 of us: 12 female; 3 male. Out of the entire class, I was the only one wanting to do this so I could travel overseas. One girl was going to Mexico and the others were wanting to get the certification to teach here in the US. There are so many Spanish-speaking people here, and not enough qualified teachers.

I was told, though, that I stood little or no chance of ever teaching in Saudi Arabia because I am female. According to one of my professors, (who did teach there) females are never hired. (this is where I would put in a crying face, but it doesn't seem to exist... sniffle sniffle, whimper, whimper)

ondine · Joined: 31 Jul 2003 Posts: 8 Location: USA

Hey folks, this is my first message forum, so I'm still figuring everything out. 'scuse my faux pas.
The internet is so completely boundless that it can only be a man's world if women let it be. It can't descriminate against anyone! Twisted Evil

Aside from that piece, do you out there think that the kind of woman who chooses this profession is sort of a different breed? I'm 29, don't look it, don't feel it, don't live it...never think about settling down or raising a family. Out of my non-random sample of friends, I only have one girl-friend who is the same as I am in this way. (and she is a professional dominatrix!).
Are the women in this prof more fearless, curious, not easily dissuaded by gender biases? Are we all Anthropologists like me? I can't wait to meet all the cool women once I start my journey, I've already met a lot of them this far...about the guys, yeah, I think universally they are free to enjoy more wanderlust (or any other lust) than women, but the world is changing towards Western values for better or for worse. Very Happy

Cheers, Nymphondine

SweetOne · Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 109

I have only seen a post or two from you ondine, and I like you already! Yes, I agree (almost) wholeheartedly! Very Happy

MindTraveller · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 89 Location: Oman

Some teachers are idiots.

That man who said a woman couldn't teach in Saudi Arabia was 100% wrong. I taught there for 2 years at King Saud University in Riyadh. The women's college was taught - the English Dept. - by 100% women - mostly Brits because it was back in '84-'86 when Americans weren't so active in teaching overseas. Yes, there are fewer openings for women, but there are some.

Saudi Arabia isn't for everyone. I went by default, not by educated choice. I wouldn't suggest ANYone to go to Saudi Arabia. It is probably rarely worth the money, especially for a woman. I hear there are about 35,000 Americans in Saudi Arabia now (of course, not all are teachers).

Access nowadays to the Internet and satillite TV means the Saudi Arabia I experienced may be quite different. Still, why bother? Unless it's the only place that offers you a job - it will probably be your most difficult posting in your career.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

My CELTA in London had 2 guys and 13 girls.

My DELTA now is 4 guys and 8 girls.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I worked for a ALT company in Japan. About 40 men, 10 women.

Di[]v[] Su[]v[] · Joined: 26 Aug 2003 Posts: 6 Location: Calgary AB, Canada

When my school advertises...in Jakarta, I would have to say that out of 100 applicants 70 are female, and 30 are male.