Job Discussion Forums

nissak · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: toronto

Hi,
I would really appreciate anyone helping me out regarding landing a job in Dubai. I have a bachelors degree in commerce, law clerks certificate and am going to be taking a TESL course in May. However, I have no ESL teaching experience. Can anyone give any leads, advice, help? It will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

peterpan13 · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 64 Location: neverneverland

Initially, I think that you should browse through some of the similar threads in this forum as this type of question has been addressed many times.
If you're seriously thinking about EFL Teaching in the UAE and you want one of the better higher paying jobs then you're going to need a Masters Degree in Arts, Ed (TESOL)/Linguistics.
Also, you need to consider the area in the UAE where you want to teach - Dubai is more expensive in terms of accommodation rentals and it's increasing as we speak. You will need to consider this if accommodation is not provided as part of your contract.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

Frankly, I think your chance of getting a job in EFL in the UAE with no experience and a brand new TEFL Cert will be nil.

Your other qualifications might be more productive. The only recruitment agency I'd be prepared to recommend is this one:-

http://www.clarendonparker.com

However, there are a lot more listed on

http://www.godubai.com/citylife/empagencies.asp

Try your luck, but don't get your hopes up.

Kaspar Hauser · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 83

I'll give it to you straight. You have no chance of finding a job in the UAE. What you�re hoping for is to start at the top yet you have no experience and a bachelor�s in a totally unrelated field. By saying you�re �going to be taking a TESL course,� I assume you mean CELTA or another one of those two-week wonder �certificates.� That�s not going to get you very far here. It�s not that the Emiratis are such serious, hard-working students�far from it�but for the simple reason that they have a lot of money, they can pay high salaries and can demand that teachers have experience and a high level of education.

Your best bet is to consider one of the less attractive entry-level jobs in Saudi Arabia to get some experience and your foot in the door. Work your way up in KSA and then try for the UAE then. It worked for me.

Capricorny · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 18

Anyone considering work in the UAE's two flagship cities--Dubai or Abu Dhabi--should be wary of housing allowances as opposed to "accommodations provided."

With the past year and even within recent months, rents have gone up well above the allowances and it is nearly impossible to find something without paying out of pocket for finder's fees, non-refundable deposits and annual rent to subsidise the allowances.

For example, a government employee for the national oil company (here with a spouse and one child) is entitled to 55,000 dirhams.

Unless one is willing to move far from the conveniences of the city and into neighborhoods (which would requires the expense of a car), be prepared to pay 80,000 dirhams, i.e. about 2 months salary.

The rent gouging continues, uncontrolled, and in all likelihood, within three months, this post may be outdated.