Job Discussion Forums

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

Hello,
I graduated from college in '08 from an Irish University and I am now looking at doing some teaching/traveling. I have many ideas of where and when I want to go but I am having troubles discovering advice on the topic of when to teach in the Middle East.

Obviously, most jobs are starting Aug/Sept time over there but is there any chance of locating a position before that, say this Jan/Feb coming? I could always teach in somewhere like Prague for 6 months and then go but in a perfect world I'd like to go there straight away and save the money that is on offer there.

My friend went there after we graduated without any TEFL etc and they paid airfare as well. This sounds perfect but how do I go about getting this in the New Year?

Also, does anyone have any opinions on location? Abu-Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia etc???

Overall, if anyone with experience can recommend a plan of attack for I'd really appreciate it. I am unemployed in Ireland and would like to something abroad whilst I try and discover my calling in life (?).

Thanks guys.

Deicide

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

I have a degree in economics and a high level of IT skills but I do not have the heart currently to enter another 4 years of college. I want to see the world in a flexible and open minded way and teaching English seems to me to be the best way.

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

Hello,
I am new to this ESL thing and I would love your advice on something. I am currently unemployed and a recent graduate in Ireland (like many others :p). I am considering spending the next year traveling and working with the aim of having an epiphany as regards to what I want to do with the rest of my life.

I am thinking about doing a TEFL course at the start of Dec and head to Prague then. The course that I will be doing states that they will get me a job in Prague earning from 21,600 Czech Koruna. The company is i-to-i Ireland. Does anybody have any opinion on them.
Here is the link:http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-jobs-abroad/tefl-czech-republic.html
I have spent 6 months in Prague in 2006 as part of my Erasmus programme and I have fond memories there.

Alternatively, the company also have a similar offer for Bratislava in Slovakia here: http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-jobs-abroad/tefl-slovakia.html if Prague is completely over saturated.

Finally, I would of course love to come over ASAP and as some of teh previous posts stated late Jan would be the best.

If anyone has any relevant input regarding the above I would be very appreciative.[/url]

Deicide · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

I really don't understand? I'm using this TEFL as a vehicle to see the world (which is a good thing to do as a youth). But please explain more if you feel that there is a strong point you need to make. It's all part of my research is to find opinions from all sides. Thank you.

Deicide · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

Thanks for your input.
As a junior economist I am in nature, well planned. I have a plan (well kinda).
Spend 6 months in a nearby European location teaching.
Obtain a job in the mid east that pays well with airfare.
Pay off debts and purchase a masters in either Public policy or IT.

I have no intention of doing this for a long period of time.
I am curerntly unemployed and any master degree here does not commence until Sept, so when Sept comes if I do not like teaching, I will be nearby in Europe, and so I can come home and do a masters. If I like teaching then I can move somewhere else and get money, come back in Sept 2011 and do a masters there. The Irish Govt. will more than likely be able to sponsor my masters due to my financial position.

Also, my brother did it in China for two years and he does not regret it. He is now working full time in an art gallery in London.

sisyphus · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 170

The reason a lot of people, including me, did Tefl, was to get out of Britain as it is a cesspit. Ireland , granted is considerably nicer . I understand what the replier was alluding to , that its difficult to get other work if you have been in it for years. However, I have recently tried a couple of 'normal' jobs and believe me , Tefl is excellent in comparison. And tbh if you want to make a career out of it you can. Depends . There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a few years out to travel. Most of the people I know in Britain stayed in the same town, go to the same pub every friday, and to be frank, are complete and utter bores.Tefl attracts slightly 'bohemian' types. Remember, James Joyce was a Tefl man!

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

Joycey was a TEFL man???? Well that is good news. Yes, I do not want to get into this as a career.It is merely something different. I relate to what you said about the mundane day to day lifestyle of life on the British isles for I feel the same. I just returned from 6 months circumnavigating Australia with a car with a tent on the roof, then I lived in Portugal for 3 weeks before my girlfriend and I broke up and now I need more. I am Bohemia personified I suppose and as our compatriot once said "Irresponsibility is part of the pleasure of all art; it is the part the schools cannot recognize." Ha ha.

If you have any advice in general for me I'd really appreciate it. I'm probably over researching this to be honest. I just just go!

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

You don't have the qualifications or the experience (and still won't after 6 months in Prague) to get a good job in UAE Saudi Oman or Qatar. If you had a teaching certification, you might be able to get on at one of the better K-12 schools.

Most good jobs require a related MA + 3 years post grad experience. Are there some who work without that? Yes, mostly in country adjunct hires who are sponsored by their spouse with no benefits.

Do a quick search on these forums and you will see your question has been asked and answered in various incarnations several times in the past 6 months.

Some suggest heading to Asia and taking your master's as you teach there getting experience. Could be an option

sisyphus · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 170

Is that a definite requirement of jobs in the gulf region, I mean 3+ post MAgrad experience ? I was hoping to go to the region ,I have a lot of experience 14 years but hopeflly will be starting an MA soon. Thats put a damper on my plans. Of mice and men etc... Crying or Very sad

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

Teaching in the ME is for those with at least a minimal amount of professionalism, training, expereince (at teaching at the professional level after you've recieved training) and committment to the profession of education - you've not exhibited enough of all - the ME is not a place for those whose primary motivation to teaching is to see the world or pay the debts while they're young.
It is rarely - as i have seen it once but too rarely to try to be the second - the place for a freshly trained teacher with no experience. In case you were wondering the only case where a teacher came here with no experience was a teacher who was hired to fill an emergency vacancy - they had no experience but just graduated with a b.a. in elementary edication with a U.S. state teacher's license. You don't have even that -

In other words, what helen said.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

It's a realistic assessment of the quals & experience generally required. That said, what have you got to lose? You can apply (and emphasize your past experience) and see what if any response you get. The chances of getting one of the better jobs are very low, but if you don't try you definitely won't get in.