Job Discussion Forums

Sorted · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Hong Kong

Hi

My girlfriend and I are hoping to move to Dubai next summer. At the moment I'm teaching at a large company in Hong Kong; I've got 8 years' post-cert teaching experience, a first degree, CELTA, am in the process of completing the DELTA, and should be on a distance learning MA in Applied Linguistics from a UK university very soon. My girlfriend is currently teaching in Spain; she's got 4 years' post-cert teaching experience, CELTA, CELTYL, and DELTA but she hasn't got a first degree. Like me, she's starting an MA very soon.

I'm pretty sure that I'll be ok and I can probably get a transfer with my current employer. I'm a bit concerned about my girlfriend because of her lack of first degree. She's hugely qualified for EFL but I'm wondering if having no first degree is going to be a problem. Is a first degree a company or an immigration requirement?

Finally, we're due to get married at some point in the future. If we were married, would that affect my girlfriend's job prospects? Can a wife go on a husband's work visa? etc etc

Any advice would be great.

Cheers!

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

Where would you be looking for work in the UAE? You don't seem to have academic experience so that would exclude the government universities and colleges which normally required post-MA academic teaching. Without a first degree, I think your girlfriend would be limited to language schools which are rather dubious, with a few exceptions. Why don't you try North Africa or the Middle East until you have academic experience and maybe your girlfriend should have a first degree before the MA? Government Higher Education is looking for external accreditation so the correct pieces of paper are a must.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Sorted · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Hong Kong

She's been accepted by several universities in the UK already. As it's an EFL-related MA, the universities take into account the fact that although she doesn't have a first degree, she's well-qualifed as an EFL teacher (CELTA, CELTYL, DELTA). They obviously think she's up for it...

shimmeringsands · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 29

"sorted" Apply to the International School of Choueift/SABIS. THey will give anyone a job.

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

They might be willing to give anyone a job, but is the gov't willing to give anyone a work permit ...

Iamherebecause · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:45 am Post subject:

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

Sorted · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Hong Kong

Thanks for the advice

Iamherebecause · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:04 am Post subject:

On the marriage thing, if you are married then in the better jobs you'd get a whole package - airfares for 2, health insurance for 2, accommdation etc. And your then wife might be able to find ESL/EAL support jobs in schools, given her interest in YL.

If you aren't married - well, remember this is an Islamic country. Unmarried couples do holiday here, but long term... better to get that certificate.

Sorted · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Hong Kong

In that case, I can hear wedding bells...

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

You certainly seem to have the credentials--a CELTA is a real door opener here.

You probably don't need any advice on how to embellish your experience to indicate a background in teaching or training. Just be wary about offers from colleges and universities that are not government funded. Some places like Abu Dhabi University are trawling the waters for warm bodies, and if you start at a place like ADU or any of the dozens of private colleges or unis, your initial experience here might put you off to teaching in this region for the rest of your life.
After you sendout your CVs, if you begin to receive replies, seek out this forum for advice.

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

HCT for starters does not require academic experience (I had none before working for them), and in fact your experience teaching Business English (assuming that is what you're doing) may be an advantage.

One of the better teachers at my college has an MA with no first degree, so I'd say that once your girlfriend has her MA in hand she'd be in with as good a chance as anyone of finding work in the UAE.

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

I taught Business students for 5 years at HCT and I did not teach Business English; all students study IELTS Academic, which is a graduation requirement for HD. At Diploma level, students are aiming for PET or IELTS GT. Any Business English or any other kind of English, comes from their content teachers. This applies to all content areas and as far as I am aware has always been the case.
At some colleges, academic experience or even teaching experience is not required as teachers in training are employed who are mentored, without extra pay or benefits, by experienced teachers. They seem to be employed at Foundations level.

Sorted · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Hong Kong

Thanks everyone