Job Discussion Forums

Mary Ann Davis · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Asia

Hi, I've taught abroad for 15 years, but have stayed in Asia -- recently China (I don't think that northern India & Nepal count other than as Asia.)

China's Olympics have forced me afield, and I really know very little. Please help w/ the subjects above. Where's the best spot for me to apply successfully? (I'm 59 & very literate, female, caucasian.)

Thanks. Mary Ann

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

Much depends on your education and experience. The best Middle East jobs require an MA, but there are some that will take a BA+CELTA if you have extensive academic English teaching. Most jobs are for teaching university level, stressing reading and writing. So, if you have been teaching conversation classes in Asia, they don't help you much on the CV.

Some employers have an age restriction of 55-58, so you are reaching a problem area there.

And as a newbie to the Middle East, you might want to go to one of the more 'relaxed' countries, not Saudi Arabia. This is the only country that has a strict dress code and restrictions against driving for women. Not true in the countries discussed on the other branches of the Middle East section.

I recommend that you read around on the Oman, UAE, and Qatar boards too.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:33 am Post subject:

Could you elaborate on what you mean by 'very literate'?

As VS says, the better jobs in the Gulf require an MA, or at least a BA with solid teaching experience, preferably at third level. If you don't even have a BA, you'd be very lucky to get any sort of teaching job at all.

I'm also wondering quite what you mean by 'female discrimination'?Regarding destinations, VS is right in that KSA is definately the most restrictive, especially for women. However, in practice this doesn't bother everyone all that much - it all depends on the individual. As far as getting jobs is concerned, ironically enough, KSA can be the best choice for a woman, especially one with limited credentials. This is becasue all educational institutions are segregated, and only women are allowed to teach other women. Since many foreign women are wary of life in KSA, the end result is that you may face less competition for these jobs than you would for a similar post elsewhere.

james van cleave · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 59

The word "restrictive" doesn't begin to cover it. I prefer the terms "brutalizing" or "indentured servitude."
I have often wondered why apologists for these petty oil-autocracies-and you know who you are girls!- are so insistent and unshakable in their defense of what are -generally-worthless educational programs.
I can only imagine that they are loathe to admit that they've spent their careers and the prime of life in the service of someplace like the Lower Colleges, UAE.
Let's see how long this post lasts, folks!

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:30 am Post subject:

I hope you live in a high-ceilinged house, "james".

With that chip on your shoulder, it woudl be a logistical neccesity.

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

Now Cleo, you know that no intelligent person could possibly have a different opinion or life experience than the illustrious Mr Van Cleave.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject:

Yeah, maybe if "james" could manage to take time out from his lucrative, intellectually stimulating post at an internationally renowned university, he and I might be able to sit down and compare our experiences as women living and working in KSA.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:

Don't know about anyone else, but my real professional ambition is to teach lisping espaniards in the Accademia El Cheapo.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks. BTW, in English, sentences are required to have at least one main verb.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

johnslat · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject: It's all academic

Dear Cleopatra,
Now if your ambition had been to teach Italian students instead, your spelling, Accademia" would have been correct.

"Accademia di Italiano, the Italian language school in the city centre of Milan, offers all you need to study the Italian language in Italy."

Regards,
John

james van cleave · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 59

Someone honestly has an opinion different from mine about life in what is effectively a police state? "Oh, well,at least they have a Starbucks!"
As for illustrious world-renowned universities...have you ever considered applying to one? At the University of California where I have worked in the past. The starting pay for ESL instructors is $40,000 to $45,000 plus tremendous benefits (health,education, pension etc.)-usually after a period of part-time employment. What you lose in tax breaks and housing (such as it is) you certainly make up for in a semblance of self-esteem. I would strongly recommend this to someone in his early 30s considering changing fields. After a certain period of employment Graduate school tuition is included. If you're thinking this is a great gig for Yanks...about a third of the staff on the beautiful campus where I worked were from Canada, the UK, Australia, Europe, Africa and Latin America.
Look, if I can make it out of the Gulf alive...anyone can.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:38 am Post subject: