Job Discussion Forums

[courtney L.]

Hey Guys,

I am a recent college grad. I have a BA in International Affairs and a TEFL certificate. Not much teaching experience, though. I have had my heart set on teaching in Oman for a long time, but recently found out it is nearly impossible to get a work visa unless you have two years of teaching experience or more. Is this pretty much the story for all the gulf states? Is teaching in that region a pipe dream for me? I would be open to Jordan as well. If anyone has any good advice on where I should go from here to make this happen, I'd be greatly appreciative!

Thanks,
Courtney

[cmp45]

With a BA and TEFL you have the basic qualifications to get your foot in the door.

However, without added experience in the gulf you will be starting at the base in terms of salary...but heh we all started there...you won't know until you actually apply...my advice, if you want to work in Oman or anywhere in the Gulf region is to target the places you are interested in and just apply...what have you got to loose?

I sent out applications to many different places, I got my first job in the UAE fresh out of university back in 1997 with out any Gulf experience, but started at the bottom of the salary scale. The job was crap, but it was my first job and gained the valuable experience necessary to proceed on to to better positions.

Just be sure what they offer is what you actually get. Sometimes it is a risk you take...sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't...but in the end you will gain experience. Then you can move on up to some place better...hopefully....????
Good luck...just go for it!

[adorabilly]

Hi Cournety.

You can get positions here in the gulf as has been previously mentioned, but you will really be at the bottom of the barrel in terms of working environment, salary and benefits and you will stay there until you have enough experience.

I would recommend doing the east asia tour (ie korea, china, japan) for 3 to 5 years to get the experience that is desired in the gulf. At the same time you could go and get a MA in TESL, applied linguistics, or some other content form that will allow you to come and teach in the Gulf. It is amazing how many individuals who are teaching in the Gulf who have done just that. Getting jobs in China and Korea are MUCH easier than finding one in the gulf without experience.

[gajackson1]

Korea can be very, very dicey - but almost 1/2 of DESLC's forums are devoted to the Korean boards - lots of infor there, although it has to be sifted, and lots of helpful people - although balanced by numbers of trollish types, as well.

Taiwan & Japan should be considerations. If you didn't have your TEFL already, I would have suggested one of the residency course options; they are great for the experience, and almost guaranteed job placement after completion.

Your nationality/passport also figure into it as well. And where, as a single Western female, you will feel comfortable.

However, if you really are set on Oman, I do have a non-teaching female friend there, and if you pm me, I will pass long her contact info to you; supercool girl, great friend, artist, yoga instructor, currently a student in Oman. She may be able to help you out.

Cheers,

Glen