Job Discussion Forums

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

Hi
I'm new to this particular forum. I have been considering looking for a contract in the UAE within the next 2 years. I'm currently working on my MA in TESOL in California and I've been teaching in an adult language school that preps students for Cambridge.

My main question is... how easy or difficult is it for a younger female teacher to find a good job in that country? Even with a masters, I will have only had about three years of teaching experience. I've taught in China and Korea and most of my experience prior to now has been with children.

Is it even worth it to look into coming to a place like UAE or should I wait till I'm a little older, more experienced or even married?

Any response would be very appreciated! thanks

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

It won't be your age, but your lack of experience that can make it hard to get a good job in the UAE. The best places to work tend to look for related experience teaching Arabic speakers and/or Academic writing/reading.

EFL teachers in the Gulf are mostly older and married, but there are more younger teachers heading to Dubai these days because of its tourist reputation.

I'd suggest that as you finish that MA and continue to read on here about various places, you can see how well you and your lifestyle would fit. Personally I would not have liked it much when I was in my 20's...

VS

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

Thanks.
I guess I can only try. Is there any chance of getting a job working with children in a place like Dubai?

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

I only did university, so hopefully someone else can answer...

VS

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I work for a tertiary institution (HCT) which requires (iirc) a master's degree (or Diploma) + a minimum of 3 years' experience, so you'd probably be in with a chance.

Sorry, I don't know much about requirements for schools, but the better schools that I know of require a schoolteaching qualification (e.g. B.Ed. or PGCE). I also know of schools that will hire just about anyone, regardless of qualifications and experience or lack thereof, but you probably wouldn't want to work there...

helmsman · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 58 Location: GCC

Noelle
I advise you to have a look at the thread "Young Teacher" in the General Middle East forum where there was a thorough exchange of views in response to a similar request for advice.

The gist of the posts was that the Gulf would not be the ideal place for a 22-year-old female teacher due to all the oppressive aspects of the culture.

However, if making dough is your goal it is hard to beat. If you are looking for somewhere "interesting" this might not be the ideal spot as some of us find beduin culture to be rather limited, not going much beyond camels, falconry and pearldiving. There is a lot happening in Dubai certainly, but its roots are not deep as it's all an artificial instant civilization.

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:34 pm Post subject:

Noelle:

You would likely find primary or secondary work once your MA TESOL is finished. Ideally, you'd have a teaching cert for the best schools, but I suspect that some schools will like your MA, and may have particular post for you, likely working w/ the worst of their ESL students.

The pay could be as low as 5000 dirhams/month up to 8000 (only because that MA is attractive). I'm guessing, but that seems to be the range that most non-qualified teachers fall into.