Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

[Sheikh N Bake]

Ditto what VS said. As a four-year veteran of Japan, for example, I found that is a society that likes to keep a few ephemeral gaijin (foreign) backpackers around as cute pets to gawk at and from whom to learn a few Engrish phrases at the "Let's English!" school (yes, that's the actual name of a language school in Japan).

Not so in the Middle East, as VS and others said. They don't have many chat-schools and they don't think we're cute. Maybe a little exotic.

It seems to me you have no options in terms of Middle East residence. As a second choice, could you find a master's or second BA program in Arabic language? I did my two master's for free via assistantships and VS did hers with a fellowship. Most people pay for their MA in TESOL and I don't know why they do that, but I digress, of course, since you want to learn Arabic. If you show sufficient language talent, maybe you too could ride the gravy train for free.

[Viktor87]

It's true, I did not realize the difference in hiring policies and preferences between Asia and the ME was so significant. I think the way you put it just now is a much less condescending and straightforward explanation of this information. In any case, I am still interested in teaching there, one way or another, and I'd rather not have people take offense at the fact I might not be as serious about it long-term as they are. I mean, you know- it makes me wary of bringing it up again for fear of getting the same kind of reaction.

"the few that may hire you will probably have you working illegally on a tourist visa"

This is an interesting approach I haven't heard about before. I guess the idea here is that the company wants to save on arranging a work visa for their employee. Is it widespread in other regions (like Asia)?

[adorabilly]

viktor and matt.

You both seem to miss the idea that has been presented to you, and then you have dismissed the "words of advice" from older more experienced individuals.

This board often gets "backpackers" who want to go to a country, learn the language and the culture of a few years and then jump back into their own countries.

By both of your own statements, that seems to fit with what you want. Unfortunately the ME and the Gulf region are extremely strict with their hiring practices for foreign nationals. Too often people view the ME and the Gulf like a giant ATM and think, I can just walk in as a native speaker and get paid BANK to teach english. And it isn't the case. (not in most of the ME or the gulf).

This was explained (rather clearly by sevearl posters myself included), but you immediately got ruffled feathers about being talked down to because you don't want to do this for a profession.

as I pointed out, the vast majority of the instructors in the ME and the Gulf have put in LONG hours in miserable conditions to get the experience that is required here, and for young "backpackers" to think they can just waltz in and get a job is most definately insulting to them. (Whether you intended to be insulting or not).

as was pointed out (by several), the places you can do the "backpacking" and teaching gig is in asia (china, korea, and southeast asia).

but instead of taking that information as is and realizing that if you want to teach in the ME or the Gulf that you need experience and a degree, you dismissed it saying it isn't necessary.

If you are in country you can find jobs... but no one that you would want to work for would hire you with the credentials you listed.

[adorabilly]

Viktor.

as for the working on a tourist visa. yes it is rather widespread through out the world for the more "shady" companies.

[mwg85]

Don't let the lifers get you down. I found a job (from overseas) teaching in Jordan that includes airfare, work and residency visa, insurance, 3+ months paid vacation, housing, and a enough of a salary to get by just fine while working and then spend all of my vacation traveling; all I had when I landed the job was a forthcoming bachelor's degree (non-teaching related) and a promise to get a TEFL by the time the job started. I'm also not going to be a career teacher, but I nonetheless take my work seriously. I did indeed come to learn the language and culture for a few years and then jump back to my own country.

It's possible. Avoid the gulf, though.

[veiledsentiments]

Your description of the job in your other post this month explains why they had to go to hiring anyone they could get. Sounds a bit grim. But, note that our OP has no intention of spending any of his time or money getting a TEFL cert.

Would your employer have hired you if you did not? That is a minimum requirement for 99% of the employers that I have heard of in the ME. What if you had lied about it and/or not done it? (cutting to the chase here)

VS

[mwg85]

Yes, you will want to invest in a TEFL cert, which isn't a huge financial or time commitment. If I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have gotten my job, and if I had lied about it, well, it would be like lying about any other credential -- if you are willing to do that, then you are just that kind of person.

If you really just want to learn Arabic and don't have any money to commit to getting any sort of teaching credentials, I suggest you spend 6 month to a year living with mom and dad, working the highest-paying job you can get, saving as much as possible, and then using those savings to take classes in the Levant or Egypt. You will learn way more Arabic if you aren't working 8 hours per day in English. And while you are studying here, you can try to find work to extend your stay. There are a lot of jobs available other than teaching, but almost none of them will be things you can get from overseas.

Also, I don't really know why anyone would think I am in a grim situation from my one previous post. But to each his own.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]