Job Discussion Forums

Ayshi · Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,

I am a private English teacher in Japan. I have experience teaching students of various ages one to one, but I don't have a degree. I want to teach in the UAE . I am TESL/TEFL qualified but from what I learn that seems pretty basic. What I wanted to know is would I be able to get a job in the UAE with just a TEFL/TESL Certificate? Also, what if I have a CELTA and no degree? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

The certificates are a good start.
A. It depends upon your level of university education. You will need a BA for some government schools; an MA for tertiary schools--which is fair.

B. It also depends upon your nationality and passport--which isn't fair.

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

As I understand your post, you have no BA degree, an unidentified TEFL cert and your experience is only doing private lessons? Did I read that correctly?

What are your expectations?

This would naturally put you at the bottom level of available jobs with low pay and minimal benefits. At best, it would be shared housing.

A CELTA and some classroom experience would improve your chances of getting an offer, but your lack of a first degree will keep you at the bottom level of employers.

VS

Ayshi · Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks for your help. I have an ICAL TESL/TEFL certificate and I am British. But I understand your comments and appreciate your help.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Is a TEFL/TESL enough?

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Ayshi
I know many people who are working successfully in institutions in the UAE in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain that do not have a degree and are still well paid. It is very much about who you know and how well you teach. If you are good at what you do, you will get employed. The advice about getting more qualified is sound and you may come here and have no luck. It depends much on your willingness to look for work and impress. You do not need an MA here to get good jobs. Try looking at TEFL.com, TES, jobs.uk, Guardian etc.. If later you decide that you want a cushy university job then by that time you might have a degree and MA. Good luck whereever you end up.
Tom

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Ayshi, I worked in the UAE for 3 years w/ a BA and TESOL cert. THe BA was, in my experience, the absolulte mimimum requirement for an expat hire. Sure, if you lived here and a school was in a pinch you might land a job in admin or as an asst, though you wouldn't get sponsorship or housing.

At the end of one contract I went in search of work throughout Dubai. I was offered work by many, but most of the non-k12 positions would only offer a straight salary from which I would have had to pay my accommodation. It just wasn't enough money.

The fact that you don't have the BA would make finding work as an expat hire impossible, IMHO.