Job Discussion Forums

newmexican · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: London, UK

I have a CertTESOL, an MA in Middle Eastern Studies (with intermediate level Arabic) and 2 years experience teaching English in London (which is technically overseas for me, since I'm American). My BA is in Theatre and German Studies.

I want to teach in the Middle East to experience the culture first-hand and improve my Arabic, but I also need to make a lot of money to pay down debts (about $1000 per month just for payments). I am married, but my husband doesn't teach English - he's a theatre technician, so I don't expect him to be able to work, he'll just be a house husband.

I have been looking at the forums, but I'm hoping for advice more specific to my situation. It sounds like Oman might be the best balance of culture and money, but I'm open to any suggestions. What are the chances of getting a good salary with my particular qualifications? Advice on where to look? Will it be a problem to bring my husband (also American) with me? And is it easy to get internet access at home in most places?

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

Great Avatar... BUT... I expect that the moderators will be making you change it because it is way oversized. Cool

Your credentials are not a great fit for the top pay jobs. (They require an MA in EFL/ESL or Applied Linguistics). But, you could probably find a position in Oman, which I agree is the best fit for your interests - and if you live frugally, you should be able to swing it financially.

One option is the Ministry of Higher Education colleges that are spread around the country. Look at threads labeled MOHE, Hawthorn, TATI, CbFt, Majali, CECN, rcruiters. You will learn the good, the bad, and the ugly. Laughing

You need to be adaptable and patient to deal with many of them and life in small town Oman.

A good choice would be the University of Nizwa, which is a private college. Nizwa is one of the larger towns. They have a website.

You can bring your husband, but I fear he may be bored if he isn't into hiking, camping, and other outdoorsy things. The internet may not be high-speed, and there can be delays and problems getting it in your housing in some areas - especially in the smaller villages. Even in Nizwa there are neighborhoods that can't get it yet.

VS

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

unless your husband gets a job at the same time , it may get sticky as wives cannot sponsor their non-working husbands in most places in the gulf...

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

Bringing husbands depends on countries... I expect that Saudi is out. The UAE doesn't seem to be a problem and I know of non-working husbands that made it into Qatar and Oman with their employed teacher wives, but it may depend on employer wasta. (NM... I assume that they teach about 'wasta' in ME Studies. Laughing

) Make it clear in your applications and be sure to confirm it if you make it to interview stage.

VS

newmexican · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: London, UK

Thanks, guys. Actually, no, I must have missed the class on wasta - my MA was not big on the practicalities, but I looked it up. Wink

I figured Saudi would be out, anyway - a little too much nationality and gender segregation for my taste, plus my Dad's tales of home-made 'wine' when he was there don't really appeal to me.

If my husband couldn't get an actual visa, do you think he could just leave the country and come back occasionally, or would that get risky?

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

Actually that is common. Many husbands wish to keep working so they stay. Now that visit visas are simple, regular visits are easy (if expensive. You may want to think about his continuing to work in the UK or wherever and you can meet on holidays.

VS