Job Discussion Forums

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

Hi Guys ,

I've been reading this board for a while with interest and although it has been very helpful I still am wondering about a few things.

A bit of background . I am 32 , have a BSc hons Degree in Business, a CELTA and am currently doing the DELTA . After the DELTA I intend to move onto the second year of the Masters TEFL and hopefully finish that in 2009 . I am in my third year teaching spoken English in a University in China. I have intermediate Mandarin and hope to gain the HSK Mandarin teaching award to a fairly good level by the time I leave China(Any Mandarin teaching jobs there !!!). I also have about 7 years accountancy experience , 4 with one of the Big 5 International companies (albeit pretty basic administrative stuff )

I have a plan to move to the Middle East to teach English. I'll be honest - I'm after cash really although I do love TEFL and think I would enjoy the job . I get the idea that most of the jobs are for writing /reading courses. My experience is in spoken English and by the time I plan to leave China I will have had 5 years experience doing these classes(if i stay where I am now for another 2 years)

I was thinking of trying to get some different experience in China before I move . Perhaps EAP or similar as this may look better on my CV . I could try and get this experience in China before I leave here . Maybe I could get a job teaching writing/reading in the next few years that would give me relevant experience for the ME.I'm curious as to what you think the best experience would be to prepare to come to the ME?

Also What sort of cash will I be looking at as a first job in the ME with my experience ?- After I have an MA of course and a few more years under my belt .

I have also thought about South Korea as it may be more lucrative than the ME but I'd rather go to the ME as I think I will have had enough of the culture in this part of the world by then and will want to experience something different .

Another thing that concerns me is pollution . What is the pollution like in the ME? I guess it varies but China has some big problems and I really want to try and clean myself out a bit . I'm not looking for perfect environment - just one that isn't similar to China with the coal etc.

Thanks a lot

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

Oh - I am a Male Embarassed

不好意思- forgive me !!

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

And English

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

If it's cash you're after, then within the ME it's the Gulf you'll need to head to ...

The more EAP experience you have the better in terms of actually landing a job ... conversation classes won't count for much at all ... and if that were the only experience you had when applying, I'd be surprised if you were even shortlisted for an interview .... as a matter of fact, in terms of salary calculations, your pre-MA EAP experience won't count for anything either!

If you're not already, make a deliberate effort to incorporate CALL into your teaching in China ... they like that type of stuff ...

Entrance level salary in the UAE is around $3,000 / month plus a bonus each year equivalent to one month's salary ... bearing in mind you'll save more living in the smaller towns than in the big city ...

The only major pollution concerns I've heard of have been from people in Saudi who live too close for comfort to an industrial plant .. otherwise the only other problem of note depends on how well your respiratory system copes with all the dust flying around ...

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

Thanks Sheikh .

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

At places in the UAE which used to give decent annual increments, like HCT, I think people managed to bump up their monthly paycheck by $1,000 / month over 4 to 5 years of service with the help of a pay hike along the way ... (someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this) ... their system is changing though ...

... but to my knowledge, the other miserly lot in the 'good options' bracket in the UAE don't give much of an annual increment ... ranging from a bit fat 0% to 2% ...

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

I think that the Sheikh may be a little overstating salaries - especially for that first job considering your unrelated experience. I would put the average starting salary at closer to US$2500 per month at most places. The places that pay closer to $3000 are naturally more competitive.

You can get similar salaries in Asia, but remember that in the ME, there are no taxes and normally include housing, tickets, etc. Be sure to compare the whole pay package - and holiday schedules - and teaching hours. Increments are not a given and more places are not that generous. Few people last long enough at one employer to go up $1000 a month. Laughing

To be honest, with your experience in that Asia, you likely qualify for the best jobs and may be able to meet or beat the Gulf salaries. (and yes, they want experience in academic reading/writing... no conversation classes here)

As to air pollution, there is almost none in the Gulf compared to the bigger cities of Asia. Normally if you are teaching university level, you are not near any petro-chemical facilities.

VS

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

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

It is easy to find individual examples on both ends of the scale from $2500-3500, but better to understate than overstate. For newbies trying to break into the Gulf, even those with MAs will often have to take the numerous places that pay less - especially if their MA is new or if their experience is unrelated.

Saudi tends to be more generous to these people which is why so many get their first job there.

VS

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

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

Yes, some do and pay accordingly...

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

R .. i . i . i .. ght ...

To the OP ... my experience comes from currently working at one of the 'competitive' places in the UAE ... and from others at other 'competitive' places in the UAE ... so newly qualifieds can and do get jobs there, and can and do get starting pay around $3,000 ...

.. which in itself is nothing special ... it seems to be a more profitable move for those who are married to a non-native speaker of English who would not easily be able to find work in Japan or S.Korea, but who could find a job in the UAE ... or for those with kids, who get free schooling ...