Job Discussion Forums

[MEast]

Good morning, afternoon, evening

First, I would like to thank all the posters on this forum, especially those who give from their time to advise others and share their experience..VS, omanized, stoth74 and many others...I am an undergraduate from a Scientific background, have 2-3 years teaching experience(1 in an elementary school, and 2 teaching adults).. I recently applied to a B.Ed program(2 years length) and got accepted (in Canada), I also applied to a masters in linguistics and still waiting for a response...at the same time, I am looking for opportunities in the Middle East and honestly, I really would like to go as soon as possible, be it in September..I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate if someone of you can answer:

Is it compulsory to have a Teacher qualification to teach in a school? if the answer is no, do qualified teachers get better pay?

Is an MA without ESL teaching experience enough to be short-listed in a recruitment process?

If I apply and get accepted for a teacher position(with a reasonable pay, say between 2500-2800$ as a salary range), is it wise to give up the MA and the B.Ed and go to the ME(I don't have an accurate idea about where exactly in the ME, but I'm willing to go wherever a position is offered to me, though Oman or Saudi Arabia look to be good places to start with?

N.B:
1. I dont have experience teachig ESL except for a few months tutoring elementary school students

2. I'm not a native speaker, but have lived for many years in an english-speaking country and my proficiency in English is a native-like.

Thank you in advance.

[veiledsentiments]

First MEast, it is not really a good idea to spam a board with the same question. This is the section that will give you the general answer to your general question.

Do you have a first degree? in science? I'm not sure why you would want to switch over to teaching English. There is a shortage in North America for science teachers. If you got the proper education degree and teaching certificate in Canada, you could teach science both there in the Middle East schools.

The Middle East tends to prefer 'native speakers' to teach English and you could encounter some problems getting the better jobs. The better jobs also prefer an MA and experience teaching academic English.

Right now with your limited experience and limited related education, your possibilities are towards the bottom of the scale you suggested I would think. I would definitely recommend that you get at least a Canadian education certificate and more experience.

VS

[MEast]

Thank you VS for your answer..Sorry for having posted the same topic more than once, I thought Oman forum is separate from the Saudi Arabia one, thank you for having brought my attention to the general question forum

*Do you have a first degree? in science? I'm not sure why you would want to switch over to teaching English. There is a shortage in North America for science teachers. If you got the proper education degree and teaching certificate in Canada, you could teach science both there in the Middle East schools.*

Yes, I have a first degree in Science.. That's why I was considering the option to teach scientific subjects -MAth-Science- in an elementary or high school, I've heard people were hired with only 1 year experience, in some cases, even without any experience...I don't know about their salary scale though, but they had the minimum(return airfare, furnished accomodation and medical)..As for teaching English, I always had a special love for this language, that's why I choose to live in an english-speaking country..Moreover, my passion for all languages and my teaching experience made me realise that this is a wonderful thing that I am motivated more than ever to do..

VS wrote:
*The Middle East tends to prefer 'native speakers' to teach English and you could encounter some problems getting the better jobs. The better jobs also prefer an MA and experience teaching academic English.*

By "Native speakers" did you mean citizens from an english-speaking country, or people with blue eyes and blond hair..I don't know how it works there but I believe that as long as a person can speak a good, native-like English and have appropriate qualification, there shouldn't be any "problem" getting the better jobs(at least in Canada this is how it works); I thought at least universities in the ME would apply this "equity" rule.

Now, with what you suggested(getting an education certificate or an MA), do you think if I get accepted in the MA program for the 2007-2008 academic year, is it better to go for the MA or to continue teaching in a school(at least it would allow me to hav one more year of teaching experience)?

Thanks

[trapezius]

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say that if you are serious about working in education and have the chance to get the proper credentials now... do it. Get a legitimate education degree and school certification, which will open the door everywhere. Just because you may find a marginal school that will hire anyone who can breathe doesn't mean that it is a good professional choice for you to take it. Try to think long-term. Too many people jump into a Gulf job because they think it looks lucrative... and end up stuck at that level with no access to the better jobs or schools.

And yes... by 'native speaker,' the expectation is pale-faced... racism is as strong in the Middle East as anywhere else that humans reside. All too often the hiring of people who do not fit that description means that they are able to pay you less. Though a Canadian passport may give you some leeway for negotiation, but as long as you have little to offer a place - other than enthusiasm - you will stay at the bottom.

Get your degrees... get more experience... and then think about the Gulf again.

VS

[MEast]

Thank you Trapezius, VS...It's sad and a little bit discouraging to hear of the racism issues in the ME, but it looks it's a reality that one has to be aware of before getting or accepting a job, I was looking to read some "good" or "rather good" experiences in that region, but it looks like almost everybody had some frustration(a lot of threads talk about bad experiences)... but what makes me believe that all these teachers had some "good things" (other than money) that let them still attached to that region is the fact that a lot of them didn't leave...I would appreciate if somebody can give some "objective" insights about how administration works in universities and how difficult the situation would become if there is a lot of pressure?..If it's really unbearable and unfair, then do you think it is worth it to go ahead and study and pay for a Masters if this is the kind of treatment teachers can expect?

Regards

[veiledsentiments]

There is really no answer to your question other than this. I'm not sure that such thing as 'objective' analysis of management is even a reasonable request... as no one here is really 'objective.' We all have opinions...

If you spend a few hours reading all over this board, you will come away with a good idea of the kinds of problems one encounters. You will see what the management problems tend to be. Take into consideration that the posts lean to the negative because the people who come here and take the time to post are the ones who are the most unhappy.

If I had to summarize management in the Gulf... by my experience... I would say that the problem is that mid-level people, the ones you work with directly, are usually teachers who didn't like teaching and considered moving up to management the path to more prestige and money. They have zero management training. Some do a very good job, but most are just muddling along and too often lack people skills.

Upper management in many of the places that get the most complaints here are often people with zero management or education experience that have received permission to open a 'for profit' school or university - in partnership with an influential local who probably has as little experience himself. These are often other Arabs who favor their own nationality and bring them in to do the teaching. Often they hire a few Westerners because that brings the school prestige, but then treat these teachers badly.

The inter-nationality issues are a whole other dynamic altogether. You will read here of new management coming in... and suddenly half of the staff disappears (often the 'Western' half) to be replaced by Lebanese or Egyptians or Pakistani or whatever the nationality of the new manager. Not that this is limited to Arab management. The inter-tribal skirmishes between Americans and British and Australians and Canadians can be almost as problematic. (Though I have never seen a purge of all Americans by a Brit or vice-versa) What you have is a tendency for all new hires to match the nationality of management... and all special projects go to that nationality (like materials writing or co-ordination or better class schedules).

That said, just like in any job anywhere, one's success depends on how well employee X gets along with manager Y. I have worked with good and bad management of all nationalities, and only left one job because of the extreme mental problems of the American manager. (and I'm American, so go figure...) I found that if one focused on the classroom, one could ignore most of their foibles and complete a contract or two. Then you move on to the next gang's mix of good and bad. Fortunately I always had great students who made it all worthwhile...

VS

[NadiaK]

Re. "native speaker," my employer (HCT) requires "native-like proficiency" but does have at least several non-native speaker English teachers on staff, who have neither Western passports nor blonde hair and blue eyes. They're on the same pay as the other English teachers.

(HCT, however, requires three years' relevant experience so you probably wouldn't be looking at applying to them yet.)

I can't speak for other employers.

[MEast]

Thank you Nadia for your input...Do you know if they require an MA to teach Scientific subjects, or a BSc and some experience would be enough?

[Afra]

In general at HCT, you need an MA/MSc to teach at Higher Diploma or degree level. Otherwise, a first degree and experience is fine.

[veiledsentiments]

To teach academic courses, like science, it would depend on the level. The vast majority of science teachers would be in the secondary schools. The better paying and managed schools will require a teaching degree and a certificate from your home country.

The universities usually require a PhD.

I'm not sure that places like HCT or ZU hires many science teachers... do they?

VS