Job Discussion Forums

[omark]

Hi everyone.

I am wondering if I have enough qualifications for finding a job in the Arabian Peninsula that would allow me to save up some money. I am a 28 year old male, and I plan to finish a BA in Linguistics this year and then do a 130 hour TEFL certificate afterwards (with 10 hours supervised practice teaching). I don't know if it would make a difference, but I also studied classical Arabic in Jordan for 1.75 years and can communicate successfully in Arabic (even though I am far from near-native proficiency).

Do I have any options for teaching there or would it be necessary for me to build up some teaching experience somewhere else beforehand?

Thanks a lot.

[scot47]

Employers usually expect some teaching experience. Your competence in Arabic might compensate for your apparent lack of experience.

[veiledsentiments]

[Stephen Jones]

I suggest you get a couple of years' experience somewhere else in the Middle East (Syria, Yemen, Jordan) first.

[desert date]

[omark]

"Could you tell us a bit about your experiences studying Arabic?"

I went to Jordan to learn Quranic Arabic and to study with the Islamic scholars living there. It was a beautiful experience, and it wouldn't trade it for anything.

[omark]

"I suggest you get a couple of years' experience somewhere else in the Middle East (Syria, Yemen, Jordan) first."

I was wondering if getting a masters degree in Applied Linguistics or Tesol would compensate for experience. If I am going to do a masters degree, now would probably be the easiest time, although I have some bills to pay and I can't see putting in a couple more years of experience after getting an MA in order to work in the Gulf.

[scot47]

Many employers wıll be wary of you when they fınd that your ınterest ın Artbıc has a theologıcal foundatıon.

There are enough pıous ones ın KSA wıthout ımportıng more. Relkıgıous scholars from urban England are partıculary suspect.

[omark]

"Many employers wıll be wary of you when they fınd that your ınterest ın Artbıc has a theologıcal foundatıon."

Thanks for the tip. I wouldn�t want to mention that on a CV.

These employers may have had bad experiences in the past with seemingly �pious� Muslims who are harsh with other people, but do not take it upon themselves to apply the high moral standards and virtues of Islam on themselves. In a rigorously authenticated prophetic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad, S.A.W. said, �Righteousness is good morality.� In another well authenticated tradition, he said S.A.W. �Behave well towards people.�

"There are enough pıous ones ın KSA wıthout ımportıng more."

Really?... I normally think of Syria and Yemen as places where many of the pious live.

[basiltherat]

[Pikgitina]

[johnslat]

Dear Pikgitina,
"Not much scope for piety.."

For true piety, probably not. That requires time, energy, effort, and thought. But plenty of scope for false piety, the much more dangerous sort.

Regards,
John

[omark]

"That's what my parents brought me up me to do and think.

Nothing 'miraculous' about these statements."

Very true. It is completely common sense, but it is easier said than done. Try asking yourself whether you are behaving well towards other people the next time you get angry or find something that annoys you. (I am using 'you' in a general sense. No offense.) The point that I was trying to make is that the application of these principles is especially important for relgious people. How many a person has been turned away from organized religon because of people who do not practice what they preach.



As for Yemen and Syria, I think that one would be hard pressed to find a single place on the face of the earth where everyone acts like angels, but there are many pious people there who have put in the time, energy, and effort if one looks in the right places. It is a mistake to think that these people do not exist just because one has not found them yet.