Job Discussion Forums

[shinjinrui33]

Hello�I am interested in teaching at a university in the Middle East beginning in August 2009. I have read many posts from the forums and would like more information in order to better discern the differences between some of the various countries. I will post this entry in forums for the various countries I am interested in and then compare the responses. As each position and school inevitably differs in its offerings, desired methodology, and positive/negative areas, I thought I should restrict my inquiries into more generalized topics. (For reference, if needed, I am an American with a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics with 6-7 years of teaching experience in Japan, China, and South Korea � mostly at university, but also have taught adults and children).

Teachers
What is the general teaching load in this country at the university level?

Are there in-service training and/or professional development opportunities generally available for the teachers?

Are schools/current teachers generally open to change and new ideas?

Students
What are the average students expectation of foreign teachers/English programs?

Are the students generally a homogeneous or heterogeneous group?

What is the favored (typical) learning approach�the approach the students are used to experiencing in an everyday classroom?

How much time will students actually spend on SLL?

Society
What is the general societal view of SLL/ESL? Is it supported? Resisted? Indifference?

Are there outside resources (English TV, radio, newspapers) that support SLL efforts?

Are professional organizations available to foreign teachers?


As I understand more about the learning situation of each country I can begin asking more detailed information about specific schools, programs, and daily life. So, any of the above information that you could provide insight on would be greatly appreciated!

[Opti]

Answers to almost all of your questions can already be found on the various Middle East forums. Do some research first before you post.

[shinjinrui33]

Perhaps you should take your own advice and read the full posting before sending unhelpful replies!

"I have read many posts from the forums and would like more information in order to better discern the differences between some of the various countries."

[Opti]

I did read your post, but perhaps my advice should have been that you work on your powers of discernment, rather than expect others to do all the work for you. Help yourself first . . .
This is my last comment on this topic.

[shinjinrui33]

This has nothing to do with laziness, but rather a lack of relevant answers to these specific questions. I have read through many of the posts and haven't found the answer I am looking for, so I thought it best to ask others who might know. That really shouldn't be a problem for you. If you don't know the answers, then don't respond. If you do have some answers, then how about attempting to help others with your knowledge of the situation rather than being snide and unconstructive?

[veiledsentiments]

See your PM.

The problem is that your questions have been answered before, but digging them out can be very time consuming. Also, the answers vary by institution.

VS

[shinjinrui33]

Thanks so much for the PM - it went through fine!

The problem is, as stated in my introduction, that I just didn't find the answers I was looking for. Sure, through the forums I have found some answers to the questions, but often answers regarding a specific institution or program, which, as stated, vary considerably and actually don't answer my general questions (though they do provide some light into the possible national situation there). I specifically want more generalized information rather than specific (to an institution/program), which may not be very representative of the average teaching situation.

Be that as it may, here's a wonderful opportunity to record the answers to some of these questions collectively, enabling new teachers to the region easier access to such information rather than having to expend time consuming searches through 3 years of forum Q&A only to not find the information they desire and then be labeled "lazy"!!

[veiledsentiments]

First off I wouldn't put my real name on any post because employers monitor. As I said above, general answers are not really helpful. And the answers are the pretty much the same for all the countries of the Gulf.

I will try some answers and because my current connection isn't working well, I am going to have to use all caps.

[stabnkill]

I have to agree with VS here. The only thing I would like to add is that the attitude toward learning English is, for the most part, that of resentment. Also, if you were unable to find the answers to your questions through independent research, you may not be happy with the type of working environment you will be in here in Oman.

[Stephen Jones]