Job Discussion Forums

[marklosnick]

I currently teach English in South Korea and have 2 years of teaching experience. I have a CELTA equivalent certificate and two BA degrees (Philosophy and German). I am seriously considering a move to the UAE but have some questions. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.

1.) What is the situation with safety in the country? How hostile toward westerners are the people - if at all? (I'm American)

2.) How much money can I make? A rough estimate would be appreciated.

3.) Are there any regional specific concerns that I should have or things that I should be aware of coming into the country?

4.) I am pretty much done teaching Kids. How realistic is it to expect to find a job teaching college level or business English? (I have 3 years of buisiness experience too.)

Thanks for your help,
Mark

[football]

Judging by your qualifications, you would find it extremely difficult teaching in any of the tertiary institutions here in the UAE. To teach at HCT you need a bacehlors + a delta and in many cases no it is a bachelors + a Masters in TEFL/TESOL Applied Linguistics. You might have more luck with CERT - I believe that they are only asking for a bachelors with a CELTA.

In terms of safety, the UAE is pretty secure and seems to respond well quite well to North Americans. I have not heard of any targeting of North Americans.

However, once again I must stress that if you want to come to the UAE to teach in a tertiary institution and earn good money, you will need to complete a Masters qualification.

[Afra]

As well as an MA, you would need experience teaching adults, or at least teenagers, if you wanted to work at HCT or any tertiary institution. And in most cases, teaching in South Korea isn't considered suitable experience, although teaching in a university language centre might be viewed differently.

[Afra]

You might also look at VS's post on the General Middle East board regarding working in other areas to get some experience.

[Manny2]

Afra agree while it is true that the HCT desires previous tertiary experience and/or at least teaching young adults for some reason which I have never understood jobs fro Computer Literacy faculty expressly state that "Primary teaching/training experience would be an advantage'' ...actually it is an advantage for any faculty position IMHO

Additionally why do you say that ' in most cases, teaching in South Korea isn't considered suitable experience, although teaching in a university language centre might be viewed differently" What is wrong with experience from South Korea, actually I know many people who work in the HCT whose previos employment was in korea.

Can you enlighten us further

Thx

[veiledsentiments]

The problem for people coming from Asia is that most of their experience tends to be from teaching conversation classes. Not to be stereotyping, but Asian students are usually significantly better at reading and writing, but fearful of speaking. Many teachers of ESL in Asia have ONLY taught conversaton classes.

In the ME, the vast majority of teachers are doing Academic English. For Arabs, who will already talk your arm off, they need reading and writing. That is why teachers like me, who have only taught in the Middle East, end up never having taught conversation. I have done some listening courses, a few reading classes and mostly writing.

Thus, teachers coming from Asia find their applications not considered because they have no relevent experience... ie ... no academic reading and writing. Those who were teaching in the language center of an Asian university would have better luck.

VS

[Afra]

VS has answered your question.

[marklosnick]

Thanks for your time and responses. Very helpful.