Job Discussion Forums

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

Hello all.

I am starting a Masters degree in TESOL this September ending September 2010. My aim is to work in Saudi Arabia after that.

What job prospects will I have re the KSA directly after finishing my course please? I have a B.A, 2 years experience teaching kids in South Korea and 6 months teaching kids and adults in Peru. I have no other TEFL certificate.

Would you advise possibly getting post Masters experience somewhere else before going to KSA?

Thanks in advance for your help.

gungediana (strange avatar I know!)

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:31 pm Post subject:

Is there a reason that you have chosen KSA in particular? I wouldn't recommend it to someone with little experience teaching adults, and in fact I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who hadn't had previous experience in the Gulf. It's one of the more difficult postings, as I am sure you are aware, and newer teachers can end up in bad situations.

Why don't you try the UAE, Qatar, or Oman first?

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

well, different strokes for different folks mate!

I want to go there because the money is very good!

I'm well aware that the culture is ultra-conservative and highly puritanical. I don't think it will bother me too much.

I suppose my question is purely from a teaching/getting hired perspective rather than from a cultural adaptation perspective.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject:

I wasn't talking about cultural adaptation, either.

The fact is that the money in KSA is worse than in the UAE and Qatar, and sometimes worse than in Oman. Jobs in KSA pay less and offer more hassle. Unless you have some particular attachment to this place, it should be your last choice in the Gulf.

The days of people making loads of money in KSA are loooonnnng gone. In the seventies, maybe...but EFL teachers here make precious little now, unless they work for BAE. And you are not qualifed for BAE.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

ok thanks, I'm male btw and I'll be 27 by the time I finish my Masters.

so would you guys recommend me getting some post-Masters experience teaching adults before going to KSA?

I'm a bit woried about finding a job quickly after I finish the Masters. Money will be very tight for me and I'll be borrowing money to pay for my masters which I'll need to start paying back pronto.

So is August/September a good time to be applying for jobs in KSA or indeed anywhere in the ME?

Funny you mentioned BAE Mia. That's a gig I'd like to do in the future. What are the min requirements for that do you know?

Thanks guys, I have loads of questions. I'm a newb but I'm here to learn from your experience and expertise, not to antagonise anyone.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject:

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

ok thanks Cleopatra.

But re applying. I've just got to apply months in advance and then just hope for the best, is that how I need to go about it?

How would you rate my chances of getting a job, say within a month of graduating if I apply well in advance?

And is it true to assume that the better employers are more prompt at getting back to candidates?

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:23 am Post subject:

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:42 am Post subject:

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

alright, thanks everyone. It's a credit to the forum that a newbie can come in and get honest, serious answers to their questions.

So what kind of salary and benefits can I expect in KSA after I finish my Masters in September 2010?

And I guess re BAE, if I already have experience in KSA that will really boost my chances of getting in there right?

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

Just to clarify a few points in here just in case it isn't completely clear for a newbie. First off, the employers who require an MA will often not even accept an application until you have completed it officially. Thus you may not be able to start the process early. From reading this board for a few years, it seems to usually takes months (3-12 months) to get there and start getting paid after being accepted. It doesn't seem to make things faster if you have been there before. The variance seems to be by employer.

Thus it wouldn't be a good idea to assume that you will get a job "quickly" after you finish. The rest of the Gulf is much more efficient getting new staff in. If time is really of the essence to get on a payroll, you might want to spread your applications more geographically.

VS

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

ok cheers vs.

I've just had a browse through a few of the ME forums and there are a lot of quite cynical posts there, it's a bit disconcerting Confused

do you have any tips re that? are people just exaggerating the problems a bit like they do on the Korean forums

and which country would you recommend me to go work after completing my Masters?

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

Yes, we are a rather cynical crowd... it helps to have low expectations and a good sense of humor. Laughing

Most of the problems are with the lower level jobs... especially in the schools and there also seems lots of bad press about military related jobs over the years. If you go in at university level with an MA in hand, you are eligible for the the better jobs with the better employers. ("better" as always being a relative term) As in every field, that first job is often hard to find and one usually ends up not getting the best places. (they want MA+3 or more years... after the MA, not before).

Keep reading around and familiarize yourself with the various employers. Then when the time comes to start applying, you will be ready to ask the right questions.

VS