Job Discussion Forums

honeyandsweetie · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 7

Hey guys Iam new here and I am wondering where to start. My husband is currently employed in KSA and Iam hoping to join him sometime next august. I have no previous teaching experience but I do have a BA degree, I know that alot of schools ask for 2+ years of experience and a TESOL/TESL certificate. I am wondering if I can do the TESOL certificate online, the only thing is there are so many TESOL/TESL certificate websites and iam not sure which one to use. Also what are the odds that I can land a job when I have no previous teaching experience and find a school thats close to where my husband lives?

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Online courses don't meet the industry standard. Search for 'online TEFL' and you'll find a range of threads about it. That's all the help i can give i'm afraid.

honeyandsweetie · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 7

I have read a few posts where they have mentioned the industry standard...What exactly is it? Iam guessing that it will be extremely difficult to find a job with no experience. I did consider teaching in Florida but currently there is a hiring freeze in my county and they have layed off a few teachers. So I can't teach here to gain experience. So are the online teaching certificates worth the money?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

'Industry standard' is 100+ hours onsite including at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice with actual students (not peer trainees - a dodge some of the online courses offer). CELTA is the name brand, but there are a few generics that meet the standard too...

Consider taking the course in the country where you want to start.
There are lots of good reasons.... though I have to admit I'm not sure if there is such a thing in KSA. I have friends who've taught in the Kingdom (and I currently teach Saudi students here in the Netherlands) and most KSA jobs seem to require a relevant MA plus experience. With no experience and an online cert, I don't think you'll get an actual job, though you might find some kinds of private teaching....

In gereral, though, for what little it's worth in your case....

Training in-country offers you a great chance to get your feet wet in the country/culture while you still have a support system � they usually arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, and local orientation. Your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you�ll be working with when you start. You can be sure that your certification will be recognized by local employers, and a training centre can give you invaluable contacts and advice regarding reputable local employers.

honeyandsweetie · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 7

Iam just wondering if I were to do the in country CELTA course will it be sufficent enough for employers? I really need to find something in Saudi arabia because if I go on a family visa I can't work.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If you can find one....I just don't know if CELTA is offered in Saudi. And, remember, most Saudi jobs require far more serious qualifications than just an entry-level cert.

You might move your inquiry to the Saudi forum - you'll find it below. There are quite a few 'old hands' who post regularly there.

luck!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

HOnestly, if I were you, I'd enjoy the time off, just teach some privates. With competition being what it is in the ME, you'll be hard pressed to find a job with no experience.

honeyandsweetie · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 7

CELTA is offered in Saudia arabia through the British Council. I am wondering if this would be enough to land a job.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Spiral78 gave some good advice. Go to the Saudi forum and there will be lots more people with on the ground experience and advice for you.

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Chancellor · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Wondering where to start