Job Discussion Forums

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

No, what it means is in order to be on the short list of interviewees you should have an MA in some TESOL or linguistics related area AND at least 3 years post grad experience. If they're desperate, and they're not usually - the EFL market has a lot of people with the previously noted credentials applying annually - you probably won't pass the screening process at HCT.

Am I saying don't apply NO - but just don't hold your breathe that at BA and a CELTA but no experience (or experience prior to the CELTA) will put you anywhere near the top of the interview list. The worst they can do is say "no thanks".

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

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

My info says tht it's still under discusssion by the Policy Council...

NCTBA

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

Are you talking about next year's academic calendar? I think we should start a pool about when the decision is made and released. I vote for 15 minutes before the start of the semester and after everyone has returned from summer leave.

VS

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

Huh? adorabilly pulled his post...wonder why? VS, I wouldn't argue your point...but oh, would it make a lot of teachers angry. Current thinking imagines, bringing folk back in mid-September and then, running the academic year until mid-July. Sounds possible...as well as logical. Laughing

Anywho, those with kids would have to be back in August anyway for the start of the school year...poor dears! Crying or Very sad

NCTBA

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

NCTBA.

That is incredibly weird.

I didn't pull my post and I have no messages about breaking any rules.

I wonder why my post disappeared.

nstick13 · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Most likely HCT will hire people these days with BA and CELTA, although I can guarantee you that such hirees will be required to complete a distance MA while working.

Wastaman · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 19

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I was referring to the HCT system of colleges and not CERT as HCT was what was specifically referred to. Only in my early days (8+ years ago) at HCT did I ever meet the odd Wink

EFL teacher who had only a BA and a CELTA.

CERT is handled differently from HCT so far as I'm aware (although they are related) but I can't speak to specifics for it.

nstick13 · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:16 am Post subject:

Okay...
Another question I was supposed to ask (probably in that above post) was whether or not those benefits that are so Italicized in that post are available if one is hired from within the country. Consider the following:

I am able to leave in say June/July. Obviously there are a plethora (I love that word) of choice as to CELTA for the summer. My girlfriend has several options for the summer, including a Critical Language Scholarship possibility for Arabic in the ME (outside chance, but I think she'll get it). Otherwise, she'd use the summer to raise some money.

Getting into hypotheticals, that are starting to seem somewhat realistic based on what I've read on this thread, here's the proposition. I do the CELTA out of the country (we'll say Lebanon) and am fortunate to land a job with CERT, with a package not unlike the one in my post above. My significant other joins me in the UAE and does a CELTA program. Will, if getting a job in say, January, she be able to receive SIMILAR benefits, being as she is hired from within the country? Is it reasonable to negotiate a contract that is a "non-local" hire?

And, more importantly, am I setting my expectations to high overall? I don't feel as I have unrealistically jumped to any conclusions, though they may be the conclusions I really really want to jump to, if that makes sense.

In all seriousness, I appreciate all the help all have provided on this site, it's been invaluable. I look forward to "paying it forward" after I have a successful story and more information worth sharing in this forum.

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

Yes, I would say that you may very well be setting your expectations too high. Many apply to HCT or even CERT, but a very large number are winnowed out very early in the process. I know people with MAs and a number of years of teaching who have been immediately turned down because their experience was not related.

One thing that you haven't mentioned is your experience and your first degree. If you have an education based BA and a few years of teaching Academic English, even better some of it to Arabic speakers, your chances improve. If your experience was teaching young kids or conversation classes, it won't help you. Unless you have a number of years of very strong related experience, a new CELTA with the ink barely dry may not be much help.

And yes, if you are hired in country, you are always taking the chance that you will be "Local hire" and adjunct with salary and no other benefits.

VS

Iamherebecause · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: double benefits

nstick13 · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject:

This has been the thread of late, though all my posts could be "General ME" but all the info is here so we'll stick with this one for the next question.

With a "first" job is it important to do the CELTA program within the country you hope to work? In the ME in general, does it become much more difficult to secure employment from outside of the country (BA + CELTA) were I to go to, say, Spain (as someone recommended in my Egypt thread) in the summer. To what extent are benefits gained or lost in the contract of the employment?

My BA is in Political Science with a minor in Arabic. I've spent 10 days in Egypt as a tourist, but because of my language was able to interact on a much deeper level, clearly. As far as education knowledge goes, I cannot claim any. I have extensive leadership experience dating back to high school, and was raised by two educators. I very much would describe myself as a people person, and the more I think about it the more excited I become about the prospect of teaching. Most recently I have been a student manager at one of the cafeterias here on campus (supervising college-age students) and also was a hiring coordinator for college-age students.

I'll tell you this, since my first post on the Egypt thread a few weeks ago, I've really learned to appreciate the idea that "ignorance is bliss". The more I've learned, the harder this decision has become.