Job Discussion Forums

[norwalkesl]

[carmo85]

Thanks guys. I think I will need to get onto my friend about her position. In the meantime, I have spoken to three other of my Irish friends have friends of there's who are over there and are in the exact same position as my friend. Just a general BA. They are also earning a substantial sum of money.One of them is in Doha and my friend is in a very remote part of the UAE. All of them are enjoying themselves. They're is a big Irish community out there and so they socialise amongst themselves and work hard at their jobs. I'm not disagreeing with any of you for your kind help, I am merely stating my confusion as to why this is happening???? I will let you know when I hear some more.

[USAMATHMAN]

I agree with many of the others that an having a Masters degree, teaching certificate, or 3+ years teaching experience would be ideal situation to obtain good teaching position in UAE. I am also a newbie to the ESL & international teaching field so I know how you are feeling.

I don't think it is wrong to be motivated by a desire to travel & pay off debts. However, just want to let you know that as a teacher (public school and now on college level) the education field can be very challenging and frustrating at times.

You best bet with a B.A. would be to look at teaching in SKorea or China. Maybe you could teach a couple of years there, get some valuable experience, and then work on obtaining a position in middle east. Otherwise you could just apply with degree you have and you may get responses.

I have a Masters in Education, a teaching license in mathematics, and teaching experience and am finding it difficult to find work in middle east.
I plan to use opportunity to save $$$, learn about middle east culture, and hopefully complete a doctorate in process.

Best wishes.

[scot47]

Do it for a few years and you will be considered unemployable back home. Even if you have legit teaching qualifications, spending any time abroad TEFLing will render you unfit in the eyes of most employers to teach.

Unskilled minimum-wage jobs will be your lot, or a fortnightly cheque from the UBO.

If you are going to do this reconcile yourself to a life sentence as a TEFLer.

I know- it happened to me.

(Incidentally is the UBO still called that ? They have probably invented a newer euphemism since my times there. It is to the uniniated the "Unemployment Benefit Office" where unemployed Britons go to claim unemployment benefit)

[norwalkesl]

One can always make something up on your resume and begin from there. No one in the UK or USA is going to check your passport for visas! Teaching is very specialised and makes one unemployable for anything else - ESOL is looked down upon by 'regular teachers' and puts us at the bottom of the social ladder. Having been up higher on that ladder and found it wanting, I simply do not care at my age (4 8) and position in life. Everyone else can go to hell - it's my life.

You are 25. Just make up a job for the year or two you taught EFL. Anything small and innocuous. Have an older friend or relative be your reference, get their cellphone number, have your new employer call them and they back up your story.

Things I tell everyone who is young to do, before you cannot.

-Lifeguard
-Bartender
-Nightclub DJ
-Bouncer
-Firefighter
-EMT
-Policeman
-Enlist in the Army
-Dive shack pro
-Tennis pro
-Golf pro
-Ski pro
-Waiter
-Waitress
-Work in an expensive NYC eatery and make big money

Work in Vail for a season. Ski, drink, wait tables. Be a bartender. DJ at a nightclub, follow your favourite jam band, back pack across Russia, ride your motorcycle around the world, EFL in Kazahkstan - you get the idea.

You likely won't be able to do this when you are 35 or 40. (That said, I am 48 very youthful in outlook and doing many of these things soon!...) You can do many things now due to your youth, energy, stamina and age. People want young people around - it makes them feel good, you remind them of their youth, and you are good looking compared to the average 45 year old.

Enjoy!