| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
SoleSorgendo
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Osaka, Japan
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject: job climate... |
 |
|
Hi all,
I've been having a hard time finding a lot of private English schools in the UAE. I know Berlitz has a branch there...but all I can seem to find are English language K-12 academies. What about business English and adult teaching?
Also, how is the market for doing private lessons only in Dubai or in Abu Dhabi?
With the downturn in Dubai's economy (though I've heard Abu Dhabi isn't doing too bad right now?) do you think a lot of current ESL teachers will be on the way out soon (i.e. next fall, there will be more jobs available?)
I have a BA, 2 years ESL teaching experience, and I will get TEFL or CELTA before looking for work in the UAE.
Thanks for your help! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There is a good reason why you haven't found much to meet your requirements in the Gulf, that is because it is a completely different market. There are few language schools as you are used to and those that are here like Berlitz mostly hire spouses of people already here and thus already have a visa. One has to have a work visa and they are expensive for the employers.
There is little or no market for private lessons as there are in much of the world. You must have a contract to have a visa to teach and most contracts forbid you from working outside the contract.
Because of the wealth in this part of the world, they are able to require that the majority of teachers will have MAs or a BA+CELTA+some years of related teaching experience. The market here is for Academic English. Your credentials would put you at the bottom of the market and the few employers who might hire you will be the ones that no one else wants to work for.
Sorry...
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Splitting Hairs
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 99
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pikgitina
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 420
Location: KSA
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The British Council is currently recruiting for both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. You can find the details on their website. Good luck! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
| for a lot of the k-12 schools you will need a valid teaching certification, not just a CELTA. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm not saying that it is impossible to get a job. But, you need to have realistic expectations. Keep in mind that the Gulf is very expensive and without a full employment contract including housing, economic survival would be very difficult - sending money home probably impossible.
That is an interesting list, but also includes many employers who wouldn't consider your credentials. As helen1 says many require a valid teaching certificate from your home country and there are a few that do require an MA. (and a good few that are on the list of 'avoid') Another detail to keep in mind is that whereas employers like HCT may have advertisements saying that they hire those without an MA, the reality is that if they do, it is someone with extensive experience, usually 10+ years and usually of direct Middle East experience.
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Afra
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Posts: 389
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Many of the K - 12 schools are now very worried about student numbers for next academic year so they may not need many new teachers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
D. Merit
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 203
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| That is an interesting list, but also includes many employers who wouldn't consider your credentials. |
Indeed VS.
And those that would consider a BA + 2 years + CELTA can hardly be considered 'highly lucrative'.
Inlingua, Berlitz and ELS in particular are the sort of 'bottom feeders' who would be looking to hire people with that sort of profile.
Without an MA and at least 5 years experience you're better off in Seoul - the current venue of choice for the minimally qualified who have the energy to spend more hours teaching than they spend sleeping.
Those were the days, eh?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zoot
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 408
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| With those sort of credentials, you'll do ok in the Asian region. Don't even think about the UAE as an option - you wouldn't want to be employed by those who'd accept those credentials. Why don't you try Thailand? They're looking for people who want 'extreme cultural experiences' I saw on this job board. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sundrieddate
Joined: 04 Apr 2009
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject: Asia |
|
|
Yup - Thailand will be a better bet. Worked there for a bit. Also Korea and Japan (where you are) pay a lot more than Thailand and you can easily get in/stay there with what you have. Korea is good for cash if you like long hours - lots of private business to snatch up.
The middle east with a BA, hmmm.... this will cause trouble for you later as the first to be let go would be a BA holder |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SoleSorgendo
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Osaka, Japan
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thank you all for the good info. very helpful...ya, the list of schools given, though extensive, isn't all for me - i know i'm not qualified enough to teach at a lot of those schools.
thanks again though...i definintely want to go somewhere besides asia though... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wordsmith
Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 44
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Hard to go get that Masters though... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you want the good jobs and the highest pay... you get it the same way that the rest of us did.
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wordsmith
Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 44
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Heard ya. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
adorabilly
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 430
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
Or you stay in Asia (china and korea have some of the best pay with the lowest cost of living) and get a distance MA through an accredited school (not a diploma mill).
I know several individuals who have done that, who are now working in the UAE. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
