Job Discussion Forums

[spiral78]

Again, yes, you can get a job anywhere (even Paris) with a BA + CELTA. The problem is whether or not you make enough money to feed yourself, let alone live comfortable (especially Paris).


Uh, sorry, but Paris (like most of Western Europe) will require BA + CELTA + EU passport - which I guess the OP has not got!! Let's not lead anyone wrongly here....

[santi84]

Sorry spiral, the OP mentioned something in his previous thread about having an EU passport despite his Canadian citizenship (father).

You are correct though, my comments do not apply to those who do not have an EU passport (if they were to read the OP's post without knowing his passport details).

The other thread got a bit heated So it didn't continue for long.

[spiral78]

Ah, I see. Yes, with the EU passport, CELTA + BA is enough:)





to live at a subsistence level or less!! But yeah, you could enjoy the city so long as you were prepared to work very hard and save near-zero.

Paris is expensive. So is most of Western Europe!

[naturegirl321]

I think the OP is in the process of getting a British passport.

ABout teaching certs, there are fast track programmes in the US. what you do is get hired by a needy school district, think inner city, teach for a year and take courses, and then if you successfully complete both you get a teaching cert.

Thing is these fast track programmes usually aren't in the best schools, which is why they have them. Becuase qualified teachers often won't teach there.

[Hot2GlobeTrot]

[Hot2GlobeTrot]

so it doesnt seem worth it to get an MA to get a job making 3k/ month. The jobs i've seen advertised in the ME are for between 3-4k month and those are advertised as BA + CELTA. Is an MA in TESOL making more than that?

In my field-IR-i can get any job I want (gov't) with a BA + languages + overseas living experience, so an MA isnt necessarily worth the extra time.

Monetarily, is it worth it for this field? (i wont be doing it, not enough time) What are MA's making in, say, Abu Dhabi, my number one ME choice destination?

My budget for my whole endeavor (3-4 years starting next August) makes sense with 3k/ month in the ME, so i'd take a job paying that when i get there...

[johnslat]

Dear Hot2GlobeTrot,
If you have seen an advertisement for a job in the Middle East paying 4K a month that requires only a BA and a CELTA, then I'm sorry to inform you that someone is telling a BIG fib.
With an MA, yes - you can make 4K a month, but NOT with a BA and a CELTA.
Regards,
John

[santi84]

You should read this thread about working in the UAE with an unrelated BA + CELTA (this person also had 2 semesters experience teaching a university course - again, unrelated).

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=70999&highlight=uae+qualifications

[Hot2GlobeTrot]

okay that thread said both things-need an MA, can get by with a BA...some ads say english degree or similar; IR i'd say is at least related judging by the tons of papers i've had to write. I've taken many english classes and that's all we did-writing. Same thing, different subjects.

the ads i've seen for BA + CELTA have been closer to 3k than 4, median being probably 3200 give or take.

So, with BA + CELTA, in the ME, can i get 3k/month? (will have three years experience by the time i get there)

It doesnt really matter where i end up, UAE is just where i'd prefer. I'm taking summer Arabic course in Cairo immediately before work, stay in ME to gain some local speaking experience, then Cairo for a full year in Arabic.

Point being, anywhere in ME is workable for me

[johnslat]

Dear Hot2GlobeTrot,
Yes, you may be able to make about $3000 or so a month with a BA and a CELTA - that's the good news.
The bad news? Well, you'll earn every single penny of it, working very long hours (often with split-shifts) and likely having to share accommodations.
And it's highly probable that your students will be the very worst you'll ever taught - not from disciplinary standpoint (usually), but from an "academic" one.
Oman would be the most hospitable land (so naturally, the pay isn't as good as the others.)
The UAE would be your best bet, money-wise.
Saudi should be avoided - it pays less than the UAE and it's far less hospitable than both the others.
Regards,
John

[santi84]

This thread:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=66848&highlight=hct

Talks about the employer HCT. Someone mentions that the "better" language schools only require a BA + CELTA (I'm not sure if it goes beyond that).

I'm out of my league now (search strings and google only go so far), my only actual ME knowledge is Egypt (you cannot earn 3-4K USD with your qualifications in Egypt).

[johnslat]

Dear santi84,

A "better language school" in the Middle East is one circle further away from the center of hell than a "good language school" and two or three circles further away than a "bad" one.
Actually, using the adjective "good" and "better" with reference to language schools in the Middle East - especially in Saudi - is an oxymoron.
Regards,
John

[Hot2GlobeTrot]

[Hot2GlobeTrot]

also, as far as getting "better" jobs in UAE, would it make a difference if I went to Egypt first and taught a few hours a day while i took Arabic at the university, then head to UAE?

[johnslat]

Dear Hot2GlobeTrot,
I know of some "language schools" in Saudi that have teachers working 40 hours a week - that's 40 CLASSROOM hours.
Others require 30 (classroom hours) for less pay, of course.
While learning Arabic might make you stay in the Middle East more enjoyable, it would be highly unlikely to be of any benefit to you employment-wise.
Regards,
John