Job Discussion Forums

justin032 · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 28

I have been lurking around for awhile and I will try not to ask too many dumb questions. Here goes...it seems like most serious employers in this region highly value previous experience in the ME. It also seems that any sort of "entry level" (non-MA) position is...shall we say, less than desirable by nearly all accounts I've read. So the question is, how does one gain entry level experience w/o the negatives?

My plan just starting out was to go to South America for the first few years, then do my Masters in Europe and then perhaps seek work in the ME. I am wondering how I will be able to compete against all the other MAs who have previous ME experience, or do you think an MA plus non-ME experience will be fine?

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

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

[quote="veiledsentiments"]

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Hey, I had Arab teachers (technical instructors through GOTEVOT) who were MY students Very Happy

Yeah, probably a typo. But possible!!

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I wouldn't say that entry-level jobs are any less desirable in this part of the world than anywhere else. I have worked for a number of language schools in the Middle East and not only lived to tell the tale, I actually loved one or two of the jobs.

justin032 · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 28

Nadia, which ones did you love?

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

My first job was with one of the IH schools in Cairo (since closed, I'm afraid). They offered brilliant support for a newly-certified teacher. I also had a very good experience with the British Council in Amman.

Between those two jobs and a couple of others (which were also OK when all's said and done) I racked up enough experience teaching academic English to get offered a job with the HCT in the UAE. (Plus a couple of other teaching qualifications gained along the way.)

clandestino · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:54 am Post subject: Hmm interesting

Thats quite itneresting. I was wondering though, did you work in the BC in Amman after getting your two years experience? Its just that I thought the BC were quite strict on having two years exeprience.

all the best

Clandestino

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

Yes, I'd clocked up 5 years with IH and 2 years with the BC in Kuwait by then. I did have colleagues in various BC centres with less then 2 years' experience, though, so I'd say it's definitely possible (especially if you're in the right place at the right time...)

harrythehook · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

Some employers actually prefer newbies with no ME experience. That way they can 'train' them to follow their rules and regulations. Newbies with no previous experience in the ME are easily intimidated and can be 'guided' in the right direction. They take no guff from newbies with no experience and kep them right under their thumb.