Job Discussion Forums

epizano · Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA

I'll be graduating with an MA in English Language and Linguistics (TESOL) in Dec. '09 and am looking to teach English abroad for a year.

I've been teaching for about 8 yrs. (6 ESL, 2 EFL- to mostly L1 Spanish students) and am especially drawn to teaching positions in the Middle East.

Ideally I'd find a job that:
1) starts the beginning of the year- Jan./ Feb. (vs. Aug./ Sept. like many do)
2) pays well enough to save up a good amount of money to pay off my student loans (it seems that the KSA pays the best, right?)
3) offers a 9-12 month contract
4) honors their contract

I'd appreciate anyone's ideas/ guidance as I job search. Thanks!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

You don't have the quals for the decent employers in the GCC (those who honor their contracts)

You MAY be able to get a 1 year contract elsewhere but 2 or 3 year contracts are the norm.

Best to post on the Saudi board for more specifics there but your lack of quals are against you (post grad teaching experience or teaching Arabic speakers)

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

I also see a major problem getting a one-year contract which starts in January. One year normally means one academic year...

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

You don't mention what your first degree was in.

A January start is difficult.

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

Last week I would have recommended QP in Qatar.

With all the changes, I don't think so anymore. They say contract teachers are still going to be recruited by Griffith.

http://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-english-language-institute/academic-professional-programs/qatar-petroleum-project

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

Avoid Saudi like the swine flu, Epizano. It'll taint your opinion of the Middle East forever. Just read some of the postings from Saudi TEFL'ers. I've taught there briefly twice and saw several good teachers turn into bitter, unhappy people who end up forgetting why they got into TEFL and turned their focused only on the dollar.

Try the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. AUIS in Kurdish Iraq, you can PM me about both. Oman seems to leave teachers sane and well balanced.

Good Luck

VG

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

HCT might hire him in country as an adjunct (no benefits on a per semester basis) - IF he has a work permit, they will not provide him with one unless he takes the standard package of an off shore hire (3 year contract etc). He does not have the quals for HCT standard off shore hires and there are too many out there that do.

That said, it never hurts to try - he might get lucky.